Page 76 of West Bound

“You little brat. Come here.” He yanks me to him and lifts me in his arms. “I’ll be counting down the days until you’re home. Now give me a kiss, my sassy little mermaid, soon to be my feisty fairy.”

I can’t help the big goofy smile on my face and against my better judgment, I kiss him like I won’t see for four years and not four days.

“Now this is the epic airport scene I was talking about,” he whispers against my mouth. “Kiss me again, Peaches, before I have to say goodbye.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I say, but give him exactly what he asks for.

“Hi, I’m checking in. Vivian Kelley,” I tell the front desk clerk when I step up to the counter of my hotel.

“Hello, Ms. Kelley.” The desk clerk begins typing into his computer while I wait. “It looks like we got your upgrade request and your room is ready. Here is your key…” the clerk continues to give me instructions while I try to process what he said.

“Just a moment. Did you say you got my upgrade request? I didn’t make one. There must be a mistake.”

The clerk types away on his keyboard and his eyes fly across the screen.

“No, it’s correct. Mr. West called earlier and said you’d be needing an upgraded room and switched cards for incidentals and room charge.” He slides the card over to me once again, but I stare at him like he’s an alien whose language I don’t understand.

“Mr. West called? And changed my reservation? And y’all just let him?” Can someone actually do that?

“Uh, yes ma’am. He said he was your companion and asked that he be the one charged for your stay here with us. Would you…like to speak to a manager? I wasn’t the one who made the changes, but you can certainly speak to someone who can help you.”

I pick up the keycard and adjust my purse. “No, it’s okay. I’m sorry to come down on you…” I squint in order to read the name on his name tag. “Ethan. I’m just a little surprised. Mr. West didn’t inform me of the changes he requested. Thank you for your help. Have a nice day.”

I grab the handle to my suitcase and make for the elevators. “You have a wonderful evening as well, Ms. Kelley. Please call the concierge if there is anything you need.”

I give him a nod and a wave then pull out my phone to send a seething, yet appreciative, text to Mr. West.

Me: WTF Phoenix! You changed my reservation?

Phoenix: You’re welcome, Peaches.

This asshole thinks he can just bulldoze his way into every facet of my life. And the dummy probably forgot that I don’t have to pay for my room. The station reimburses me afterwards, so I hope he doesn't think I’ll be handing over my per diem to him.

I reach my room and open it up and immediately drop my suitcase. Okay. So maybe I jumped the gun berating Phoenix. This room is tight.

Beautiful marble floors spread as far as I can see. A small sitting area greets me with a sofa, two chairs, a coffee table and a long credenza looking thing. Just beyond that is the biggest damn bed I think I’ve ever seen. The bed looks out at the city through the floor to ceiling windows that extend across an entire wall. I step in and let the door slam shut behind me. My suitcase is propped against what must be a large closet and I continue to look around.

I first plop down on the bed and realize that was a bad decision. It feels like I’m laying on a fluffy cloud and with the way the lights shine from the windows, I really do get the sense that I’m floating high above. There’s a gorgeous teak wood paneled wall that looks like it separates the main living area from the bathroom.

I mosey into the ensuite and, “holy shit!” My eyes can hardly take in all of the wonders it is seeing right now.

The wall of windows continues into the bathroom where a giant soaker tub sits on a raised platform and has the same view as the bedroom does. Behind me is a walk-in shower that could fit ten, and double vanities with sleek marble counters in white and gray sit on opposite ends.

“Is this real life right now?” I ask myself, then decide to thank Phoenix for the major upgrade.

Me: I guess this room is okay. It’ll do.

I chuckle to myself and pocket my phone, making my way back into the bedroom and grabbing a remote that sits on one of the nightstands. I press a few buttons and a shade begins to close across the windows. Another couple of clicks and a whirring noise catches my attention.

I look to where the sound is coming from and see a television rising out of the credenza against the wall.

“Okay, Tony Stark.” I place the remote back on the nightstand and feel my phone buzz.

Phoenix: Okay? Peaches…I asked them for the best room they still had available on short notice. It must be better than “Okay”.

It is by far one of the nicest rooms I’ve ever stayed in, but I’ll be damned if I admit that to him.

Me: I mean…it’s nice, but I’ve seen nicer.

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