“Sure.”I acquiesce, not really believing that anywhere within a hundred miles of this place is going to do anything but remind me of her.
It’s only two o’clock.I don’t have to prep for the show for another five hours.I’m going to wear a hole through this carpet if I stay here.
“I’m gonna go take a walk.”I decide out loud.I head for the stairs that lead up to my room so I can grab a hat and some glasses.
“You want company?”Dean asks as I pass him.
“Nah.”I throw over my shoulder.“Will make it more obvious if we’re together.”
“You going to be okay?”Concern in his tone as I start trotting up the stairs.
I understand why he’s worried.I do.I was a train wreck for six weeks after we left Vegas the last time we were here.Fucked so much shit up for us.And while I’m definitely feeling things I thought I’d put behind me, I’m tight.I’m not going to spiral again.
“I’m good, man.”I assure him.“I’ll find you if things get heavy.”
Fifteen minutes later I step off the elevator into a hallway that leads through the casino.It’s the only way out, unless I wanted to go through the hassle of finding one of my security guards and having them lead me through a maze of back hallways to a staff elevator.
The thing about Vegas, especially in the casino, most people are focused on the machine in front of them, and don’t even notice what’s happening around them.
Being recognized has only gotten worse over the last year.Especially with all the attention we received over album of the year.Kind of ironic.It was this town,that damn chick, as Dean likes to refers to Lily, that inspired every song on our album, Ashes & Echoes.
I guess something good came out of it.If I wanted to try and keep things positive, that’s probably the only way I was going to get through being in this city again.
I maneuver through the casino, relief surging through me when I see the doors to freedom just a short stroll away.I take a second to scan the large expanse of the lobby, noticing a few people standing in line to check-in.My gaze travels to the staff behind the large counter, and I almost trip as I skid to a stop, my breath freezing in my lungs.
I tear the sunglasses off my face, blinking several times to assure myself that what I’m seeing is real and not a mirage.But no.It’s real.I gawk for a full minute, absorbing every motion she makes as she assists an attendant checking in what appears to be a difficult guest.
Her smile, her eyes the color of ice, the sprinkle of freckles across her nose.Exactly the same.The only thing different is her hair.It’s not as long, only falling a little past her shoulders now, but still the golden blonde color I remember.
I close my mouth, realizing its hanging wide, and slide my sunglasses back on.I inch my way over to an arm chair that’s in the lobby, but far enough away that she might not see me.I collapse into it, my chest rising and falling in such a way that I realize I’m panting.I haven’t taken my eyes off her, afraid she’ll disappear again if I do.What the hell am I supposed to do now?
I swore I wouldn’t look for her.That I had forgotten the taste of her.The way she had looked at me like I was worth saving.But one look at her across the lobby, and suddenly every lie I told myself falls apart in my hands.She ruined me, yet, here I am, craving more destruction from her.
We deliberately chose a different hotel to stay at.The guys did everything in their power to try and make sure this wouldn’t happen.The last thing they wanted was for me to spiral again.Obviously someone, or something, in the damn universe has a strange fucking sense of humor.
She works here.Out of all the hotels in Las Vegas, she workshere.Irony at its damn best.
Her head lifts, and I duck mine, looking down at the floor like it’s the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen.What if she sees me?I have no idea what she would do.Would she pretend she didn’t?Pretend we didn’t have the two most amazing nights of my life together?
I blow out an unsteady breath, and tilt my head just enough to be able to peek up under the brim of my hat.She doesn’t seem to have noticed me, her attention back on the guest in front of her.My heart is racing, galloping like it’s on the last turn at the Kentucky Derby.
Do I go up and say something to her?What if she gets pissed?What if she acts like she doesn’t remember me?What if she makes a scene?That’s all I fucking need.But what if I can finally get an answer to why the hell she ghosted me?
I hear clicking on the marble tile a few feet away from me.I shift my gaze toward the sound, my stomach bottoming out when I realize it’s her.All rational thought leaves my brain as I push myself up and mindlessly close the space between, forcing her to either maneuver around me or stop.
She stops.Abruptly.Her hand landing on my forearm to keep herself from bouncing into me, sparks of lightening singeing over my skin from her touch.
“I’m so sorry.”Her touch gone a second later as she peers up at me.“I didn’t see you coming.”
Everything around me stills.The dinging of slot machines, people chattering, the music playing overhead, the wheeling of suitcases.All I hear is her.And it’s like a thousand angels singing the most beautiful chorus.All I can do is stare at her.It’s really fucking her.
“Are you okay?”Her head tilts, and again, her skin is on mine as she rests a hand against my arm in concern.I can’t help it.I check to see if she’s wearing a ring, relief washing over me that she isn’t.
“Lily?”I finally breathe out, finding my voice.
Her touch is gone again, her arms crossing over her chest as she regards me.“I’m sorry, have we met?”
My brow furrows.I lift a hand and use a finger to slide my glasses down my nose and off my face.I wait to see if anything registers, but her face remains blank.
