“Our what?” the woman tried to stay polite but was clearly struggling.
“Your hourly rate. My friend here needs a nap but we don’t need a whole night,” I said, smiling but not cracking like I wanted to.
“Sir, this is a five-star hotel. We don’t have an hourly rate,” the woman said in her best customer service voice.
“Okay, then I’ll get a night,” I said.
“No, he won’t. Sorry to waste your time, miss. Guy, let’s go,” Kitty hissed, dragging me away.
When we got outside, I finally lost it.
“I can’t fucking stand you, Frenchie,” Kitty said, trying not to laugh herself. She was already ordering a car back to her hotel.
“No, come on, we can stay here,” I said. “It’ll be the fanciest nap of your life.”
“I need my clothes! And that lady thinks I’m a sex worker now,” Kitty whined. “The rumor mill is really gonna be turning.”
“How does she know that I’m not the sex worker? I could showyou a good time,” I said, putting a seductive hand on my hip.
Finally she laughed, doubling over. “You are the most ridiculous person I know, Guy Stelle.”
“But you love me,” I said, pulling her to me for a kiss.
“Yes, I do love you.”
In the car on the way to her hotel, I turned to her. “Hey, can I move in with you?”
Kitty snapped her head toward me. “What?”
“I mean, should I just check out of my hotel and come stay in yours? Then we don’t have to keep going back and forth.”
“Yours is nicer, though,” she argued.
“Okay, then check out of yours and come stay with me.”
She weighed that. “I’ll have to leave for the theater before you. How about I pack up my stuff and you take it to your hotel while I go get ready?”
I dropped a smooch on her cheek. “You always were the smart one. Did you go to an Ivy League?”
She laughed. “You are extra goofy today, Frenchie.”
I looked at her with a soft smile. “I’m happy.”
Kitty rested her head on the seat. “Me, too.”
Chapter37
Kitty
I stood backstage at the Palladium, looking over my notes for the show. This was a one-night-only engagement, just something to make a little extra money before I started my next job. And who am I kidding? I love a good stand-up show to a packed house.This crowd was sold out. That never ceased to amaze me. I know I’m funny, but the fact that people will take time and pay money to come see me talk is just wild. A dream come true.
A knock sounded at my door. “Come in.”
“A delivery for you, Miss Gatto.” A vase of orange and yellow flowers walked in, a stagehand behind them.
She dropped them on the counter in front of me and left me to my peace. The pack of M&Ms stuffed among the blooms told me exactly who they were from. His handwriting on the note told me for sure: Guy.
Birdy-
