“I’m sorry that you slept out here. You’re probably exhausted.”
“I’m fine.”
“Coffee?” Billy was already up and walking across the room toward the phone. Clearing her throat, she looked at me.
“Let me,” I said while crossing over to her, hand extended. “You’re making me feel helpless.”
She passed the phone, and I hit0.
“Good morning, Ms. Flintstone.”
This had me smiling, and Billy must’ve known because she shushed me. “Would it be possible to get a pot of coffee?”
“And an almond milk latte too?” the woman asked as if she’d answered this call before…
“Yes, please. And some fruit, maybe?”
“Of course. A fruit platter. Is that all?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
“We will call Frank to open the door.”
“Um…” I wondered how she knew I wasn’t Frank…
“Those are my instructions. Sorry, I’ve been told by management.”
“Okay, thanks.” I’d started the phone call feeling helpful and hopeful, and now it felt like I’d operated outside my jurisdiction.
“I was hoping to convince them not to call Frank,” Billy said quietly. “Although since no one called him to walk you out, I’m sure he knows you’re here.”
I nodded. “Listen to me, Ms. Flintstone, no one is going to get between you, me, and our gorgeous morning coffee.”
I watched the air rush out of her chest at my joke. It was as if she could sense my tension, and I realized it wasn’t good for her. Billy had an obsession with being normal, or perceived as being regular, and I would do my best to make that happen—despite her being anything but.
“Come on.” I took her hand and led her back to the sofa and motioned for her to sit. “Relax, read the paper or whatever it is you do. I’ll be right back.”
I walked to the bathroom and did my business. Running a hand through my hair, I heard the door to the suite open and Frank’s deep voice asking Billy if she was okay.
They chatted for a moment, and I walked out, giving Frank nothing more than a “Morning.” Waking up to another man bringing coffee to myself and my lover, or whatever one would call Billy, was a first, but I acted as if it was an everyday occurrence.
“When it’s time for you to leave, please let me know. We’ll go out the back.”
I nodded and watched Frank exit the hotel room. Billy was busy pouring a coffee at the table.
“I guess that’s how he says good morning,” I said to her, and I was rewarded with a belly laugh. “You’re so beautiful.” I got close, running my index finger down her cheek. “Inside and out.” My finger grazed her chest bone at the small opening in her robe.
She didn’t address the compliment. Instead, she handed me a cup of joe. “Cheers,” she said before taking a sip of her latte.
“Tell me, what do you do at home when you have coffee?”
“Really?”
She peered over her cup, her makeup-free face radiant, and I was caught off guard with how much I was falling for Billy the woman, not the superstar.
“Yes, come on. Sit and tell me.” I sat on the sofa, and she took the spot opposite me and pulled one leg under her butt, carefully balancing her mug. “I want to know…even if you have some naked butler who makes you a latte in the morning…”
Another laugh, this one gentle so she didn’t spill her coffee. “No naked butler. Frank arrives at five—every single morning during the week, and if he’s needed on the weekend, he sends a sub in Monday through Friday—and he ushers in Glory. Glory manages my house. Well, my condo. She takes care of all the details…the meals, the deliveries, and the cleaning staff. She also makes a mean pot of coffee and even better latte. The two of them make themselves sparse unless I need one of them, so it doesn’t feel like such an invasion of space.”
