“Love,” Immortal starts in concern, but I stumble back.
I catch my foot, losing one of my elf boots. It jingles sadly.
“Let’s end the show on a high,” I rush to say, bowing hurriedly amidst the applause. “I have to go.”
“Why? Is it almost midnight and you’re going to turn into a pumpkin?” Immortal snatches up my elf boot and clutches it to his chest like he wishes that he was holding me.
I duck my head, hopping toward the archway, as the rest of the omega elves and reindeer stream after me, led by Bird.
Immortal bounces up and down, attempting to see me over them. “Hey, you haven’t even told me your name, Omega elf.”
I glance over my shoulder at Immortal, as he stands holding my boot like it’s Cinderella’s glass slipper.
I have allowed myself one brief moment of forgetting my real life. One moment of indulging in a fantasy with a Beta celebrity. One moment of enjoying the fairytale.
Aren’t I allowed that?
Then why are tears chasing down my cheeks to leave the Beta behind?
Because after all, Immortal is a celebrity guest, and I am a staff member.
Until after the heist, anyone who chooses to stay in this hotel is my enemy, even if they come disguised as an angel.
CHAPTER NINE
Staff Corridor, Omega Hotel
It’s barely dawn, and I only managed less than three interrupted hours of sleep last night, but I still bounce along the concrete corridor away from the cameras between Icarus and Bird enthusiastically toward breakfast. Despite giving myself a stern talking to, I remain on a high about singing a duet with one of the most famous rock stars in the world.
I’ve learned that to be happy, I must cling to each pleasurable moment, while accepting that it’s fleeting.
I’m dressed in my housekeeping uniform. My hair is neatly pulled back with a ribbon.
“Did you see how he just leaped onto the stage like some kind of rock star prince?” I clutch my chest with what I know must be a goofy smile.
Is it love when you go to sleep thinking of someone and wake up thinking about them?
Does it also count, when you’re remembering the feel of their warm arm around your shoulders, while you’re brushing your teeth, or slam your face into a door because you’re daydreaming about their tight ass?
Icarus cringes, adjusting his tie. “I was too busy having an existential crisis about my life, while dressed as Jolly Old Saint Dick.”
“Pfft,” I pat Icarus’ chest, “with the expression on your face, you looked more like the Grinch who fucked Christmas.”
Icarus arches his brow. “Who’s Christmas? Is she pretty?”
When I growl, his lips twitch.
Maya would have been outraged about an Omega growling at an Alpha.
Fuck it. I’m not playing by her rules anymore.
“What I remember best is how Immortal stood there holding your boot like he’d been abandoned by elf Cinderella.” Bird nudges me with his elbow.
Bird is struggling to keep up with us, although he is trying to hide it. The shadows are deeper than ever under his eyes, after the energy he put into the dancing yesterday. He should never have been included in the performance, when he’s already being pushed too hard.
I wince on theabandoned.
Surely, Immortal didn’t feel the same spark that I did yesterday?
