He watched her go inside, dragging her little suitcase. Leaving him behind.
She didn’t look back.
17
Anne
My heart hammered as Icrossed the sea of blue carpet toward the reception desk, set behind a proscenium and curtained like a stage. Massive chandeliers sparkled from the vaulted ceiling. I expected the candelabra to burst into song.Be our guest…
The desk attendant smiled at my approach, rapidly cataloging and assessing my vintage dress, my gladiator sandals, my cheap suitcase. “Good evening. Are you checking in with us?”
“I wish.” I smiled. “Actually, I was hoping I could leave my bag with you.”
“I’m sorry, are you a guest with the hotel?”
“I’m here for dinner. Harris?” The name came out like a question. “Chris Harris,” I added more firmly.
“Of course. Welcome to the Drake. They’re expecting you?”
“Not really. I mean, maybe? Until two days ago, I wasn’t sure I could come. But he’ll be glad to see me. I’m his girlfriend.”
“Let me just…” She tapped on her computer.
An elegant Black man with a bald head and a tidy goateeappeared magically at her elbow. “Is there a problem, Ms.Jones?”
“Not at all, Mr.Garcia. This”—a flicker of her eyelashes toward me—“guest says she’s here for the Harris party.”
“It’s a surprise,” I said.
Mr.Garcia’s appraisal was both sharper and more subtle than the attendant’s. “Ah. The Harris party is in the French Room this evening. Straight ahead past the elevators and turn right. Let me escort you.”
And throw you out if you don’t belongwas unspoken.
I raised my chin. “I can find it.”
“Allow me.” His smile was firm and polite. “It’s on my way.”
“Um. Sure. What about my suitcase?”
“Ms.Jones, please take care of Ms.…?” He glanced at me, raising his eyebrows.
“Gallagher.”
“Ms.Gallagher’s bag while she’s with us.”However short a time that might be.
I surrendered my suitcase to the scornful attendant. Fished the tealmaddie’sbox from the crumpled paper sack. “I’ll keep the fudge.”
“Of course.”
“It’s a present,” I explained as we crossed the blue and gold lobby and went up the stairs.
“Very thoughtful.”
He led me smoothly and swiftly past mirrored walls and scrolled iron balustrades through a bewildering array of corridors. I checked my reflection as we passed. I looked…fine.Flushed, but presentable.
Pretty, Joe said in my head. I hoped he wasn’t stuck in traffic.
“You have a beautiful hotel,” I said to Mr.Garcia. “Have you worked here long?”
