Page 5 of Hidden Shadows
When the driver pulled off the road, she looked up at the multistory resort, her heart doing a little skip. As her social media following had grown, the jobs she’d been employed to market had become bigger, with more money being invested inher.
This was her biggest job yet, and with the best perks. A two-week stay at a ski resort over Christmas while she promoted a Christmas fair? Yes, please.
She climbed out, thanking her driver when he handed her the two bags and pulling one over her shoulder. Then, with a long inhale, she grabbed the handle of her other bag and rolled it toward the entrance, declining the help of the concierge.
The hotel’s large open foyer was warm and welcoming. A huge fireplace sat to the right of the space, with couches scattered around the area. They looked so soft and plush, she just wanted to sink right into them. A couple snuggled by the fire, drinking from mugs topped with whipped cream, and her heart gave an excited little skip.
Yep, she was definitely going to enjoy this trip.
The door opened behind her, and she bit back a curse as she realized she was blocking the entrance.
She shuffled to the side. “Sorry, I’m in your—” The words died on her lips.
Holy shit…it was Nixon.
“What are you doing here?” The question was out before she could pull it back or idiot-proof it.
He lifted a brow. “I’m staying here, Finley.”
It was the second time he’d said her name, and just like the first, every fine hair on her arms stood on end.
She swallowed. “Oh.”
That was all she said. Oh…it barely qualified as a word.Dammit, Finley.
He held out a hand toward the check-in counter. “After you.”
Her mouth opened and closed before she finally just nodded and stepped toward the desk.
“Finley Dunkley, checking in,” she said quickly, drumming her fingers on the desk, using every ounce of self-restraint to not glance over her shoulder at the man behind her. It was hard. Listening to and processing the woman’s words as she checked in was also hard.
She’d just signed the check-in form when she finally gave in and peeked over her shoulder. His gaze collided with hers and her breath caught.
Oh God.
“Here’s your room card, Miss Dunkley.”
She pulled her gaze away. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.”
She smiled at the woman, then turned and gave Nixon a tight let’s-not-run-into-each-other-again smile before heading toward the elevator. She was halfway there when a text came through.
Andi: I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me.
She stopped. Sorry? What was her best friend sorry about?
Then her phone rang, Nate’s name popping up on the screen.
She lifted the cell to her ear, her heart thumping a bit faster. “Hey, Nate. Is everything okay?” Had something happened? God, was it their father? His heart wasn’t doing great. Was it something to do with that?
“Hey, Fin.” Nate’s deep, familiar voice didn’t sound stressed, so she relaxed a little. “I just wanted to check in that everything’s okay with the bodyguard.”
Her muscles froze, confusion swirling inside her. “Bodyguard?”
There was a short pause. “Andi told me she’d speak to you once you landed.”
“Uh, no. She texted that she was sorry, but that’s it.”
