Page 86 of Eleven of a Kind

“Quiet, and come on.” I walked away with our bags and guitar case and headed to the elevator.

“Gabriel, I—”

“Shush, Piper, and just relax.” I smiled.

I opened the door to my suite on the thirty-fifth floor and took our bags to the bedroom.

“This is a bad idea,” Piper said. “But wow, this suite is nice. There’s only one bed, Gabriel.”

“I know, but the couch pulls out into a bed. I’ll sleep on that while you sleep in the bedroom.”

“You would do that for me?” she asked.

“Of course, I would. I want you to be comfortable. I’m starving. We can order room service or go to a restaurant. Your pick.”

“I was planning on going to see my father.”

“We’ll eat first, and then I’ll go with you. The conference isn’t until tomorrow morning at eight a.m.”

“You’d really go with me?”

“Yes, I would. Isn’t that what friends are for?” I smiled. “Room service?” I asked.

“Yeah. Room service is fine.” She sighed.

We looked over the menu, and I placed our food order.

“I haven’t heard you play the guitar yet. How about showing off for me while we wait for our room service?”

“I can do that.” I smiled as I took my guitar from the case.

We took a seat on the couch, and I strummed a couple of chords.

“What are you going to play?” Piper asked.

“I have the perfect song for this occasion.” The corners of my mouth curved upward as I strummed and sang Cry by James Blunt.

Tears filled her eyes as she stared at me. She brought her hand up and wiped them away as I strummed the last chord and sang the last word.

“You suck, Kind. I mean, you can play and sing like nobody’s business, but that fucking song.”

I set my guitar down and patted my shoulder. She laid her head down, and I slowly closed my eyes. I wanted so badly to tell her I loved her, but I couldn’t do that to her again.

“Room service,” a voice spoke from the other side of the door as the knock interrupted our moment.

I took some cash from my wallet for a tip and opened the door.

“Good afternoon, Dr. Kind.” He rolled the cart into the room. “Where would you like it set up?”

“Over there on the table is fine.”

After he set up our food, I handed him a tip.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Thank you, Dr. Kind. Enjoy your food.” He gave a nod.

“You’re barely eating,” I said to Piper as she sat in the chair across from me.

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