“Aren’t we there yet?” she asked after they turned too many corners, with every hallway and door identical. The dark pattern rug from the ‘70s was the only variation from beige.
“Crap, it’s cold in here!” He exclaimed, finding the thermostat and raising the temperature from 57 degrees. The room was at the furthest point from the lobby and was so small that they had to squeeze past the king-sized bed to get around the room. The bed would serve as a second seat to the small table with one chair, and the massive TV across from the bed would feel like a movie screen.
“You want to take a shower first?” He offered.
“Oh, that would feel so good after being in the airport for so long. The paper towel bath only got me so far.” She said over her shoulder, digging through her suitcase, which she had put at the bottom of the closet.
“How about I call down for room service? Anything in particular you want?” He asked, throwing his own bag in the corner next to the dresser.
“I’m good with whatever.” She clutched her clothes to her chest and headed to the bathroom. He was a little disappointedthat he wasn’t going to get to see her wrapped in a towel. Though it was for the best, if she was still convinced that there couldn’t be anything between them.
“Room service should be here soon,” he announced when she came out in her flannel pajamas, the steam of her shower filling the room, bringing the fresh, clean vanilla scent of her with it. He groaned and headed to the bathroom before he could do anything rash.
CHAPTER 11
“Do you want to watch a movie?”Bri broke the silence in the room when they finished eating. He had insisted on sitting in the chair instead of next to her during their meal, stating that he needed to put a little distance between them. Any time she reached for him, he withdrew. She only had herself to blame, but she didn’t want them to waste the next couple of days with an awkward tension between them.
“I thought you’d be ready to go back to sleep by now.” She had dozed off almost as soon as he went to shower, only waking when the server knocked on the door.
“I guess I was hungry. I seem to be fine now. How about you?” She was as exhausted as he appeared, but she wanted to be there for him, giving him the space to work through his thoughts just as he had done for her.
“Eh. It’ll be a while until I’ve wound down enough. What are you in the mood for?” he asked, reaching for the remote from the side table. So many inappropriate answers came to mind, especially as she slyly ogled him in a white V-neck t-shirt stretched tight across his chest and grey sweatpants that showed off his ample endowment.
“A classic black and white could be fun.” She stacked the extra pillows and blankets from the closet on the bed, trying to make it more inviting and nest-like.
“Holiday or not?” His question was clipped and monotoned, while he stared at the menu on the screen.
“We could play cards if you want something quieter. If you need some space, I can read. Entirely up to you.” She climbed on the bed, hugging her legs to her chest. Her mind was chaotic, reviewing all that had happened in the past twenty-four hours. Aunt Gladys would say there was a reason she and Ethan were being pushed together like this. Bri wasn’t sure she agreed, but he scared the hell out of her because he made her feel everything all at once, more than she ever had with anyone.
“Hey…” the bed dipped as he breathed the word.
“Hey.” She rested the side of her head on her knees and took in his concerned look.
“I’m sorry I checked out on you.” He said, stroking her arm, like he wasn’t sure how she would react.
“It’s been a long day. It happens.” She laid her hand over his with a squeeze of reassurance.
“I got a text from a buddy working with me on the investigation into your agency. And he thought I’d appreciate an update.”
“Are you allowed to tell me?”
“The case just closed, and it will probably become public knowledge soon. So I think you should know before that happens.”
“Sounds ominous.”
“Your boss was arrested for fraud and embezzlement, among other charges.”
“Oh, wow! I wonder if my old boss will come back.”
“There’s nothing to go back to.”
“What do you mean?”
“The money’s gone. The company is filing for bankruptcy.”
“I guess that solves my quandary about quitting.”
“I didn’t know it was something you were considering.”
