She clutches my sleeve, fighting a giggle between shivers. “Let’s sneak in the back.”
“Good idea.” I mold my palm to the curve of her spine as she leads us to a darkened side of the building.
After Maeve swipes her key card, we enter the bowels of the hotel, unseen as we slip into a hallway somewhere beneath the lobby.
“Maeve?”
The voice stops us dead in our tracks.
Well, shit.
Guess Brody Gallagher also thought tonight was a good time to sneak in the back way.
Chapter 16
Maeve
My brother crosses his arms over his broad chest. “Are you drunk?”
I plant my hands on my hips. “Of course not. I don’t get drunk on work nights.”
I mean, Iambuzzed, but his presence has sobered me considerably.
Just what I need. My younger brother as my babysitter.
“Why are you all wet?” He gives me a once-over, then casts a glance at Kellin, who waits nearby with his face glued to his phone while Brody and I chat in private.
“Fountain accident.”
Shockingly, Brody doesn’t call me out on that obvious lie. “Is that guy giving you trouble?” He pops his knuckles. “If you need me to take care of someone, just ask.”
I slap my hand over my brother’s fist and push his arm down. “Don’t be ridiculous. Kellin’s a guest I’m showing around. You’re nottaking careof anything, Brod.”
Brody’s eyes flick between us before narrowing. “Showing him around what? Your underwear?”
I clasp my hands together to stop myself from smacking him. “Is there something I can help you with, or are you just talking for your health?”
His hard stare informs me of his displeasure, but he can go suck on a lemon for all I care. He has no reason to complain.
After a few beats of silence, he scoffs. “Watch yourself, Maeve.”
After that sharp warning, he claps my shoulder, tosses Kellin another threatening glance, and disappears around the corner.
Not a moment too soon. My buzz is wearing off, but not as quickly as I’d like. Just preventing my body from swaying for that sixty-second conversation proved challenging.
Kellin appears at my side, and I melt into him, letting my head thump against his shoulder. “Ugh. Brothers suck, in case you were wondering.”
He stares at the corner where Brody disappeared. “They can definitely try your patience sometimes.”
With my directions, he steers us toward the service elevator bank nestled near the back corner.
Euphoria swirls through my system as we walk. My fingers and toes are icicles, but my insides feel as warm and gooey as a marshmallow.
A day out with Kellin was exactly what I needed.
Even though I’m soaking wet and back at the Cypress, I’m not ready for the day to end.
When we get in the elevator, I push the number for Kellin’s floor instead of mine.
