Yeah, right.I'd been around the block a time or two, and in no world, did someone keep their personal stash sitting out in the open. "Yourbooze?"
"Yes, actually. I was chasing a big campaign with this beverage company, and they were too cheap to send us samples." She gave a bitter laugh. "And my employer was even cheaper, so I spent money I didn't have on enough of those bottles to get an elephant wasted."
"A pretty big elephant."
She didn't smile. "Yeah, and a pretty big bill, too – one my boss refused to reimburse. So tell me something. If those bottles were yours, wouldyoujust leave them for the vultures who just threw you under the bus?"
From watching the video, I knew she'd leftsomeon the table. So of course, the smartass in me couldn't resist. "Hey, evenyoudidn't take all of them."
"Yeah? Well, I should have." Her jaw flexed. "I could use a dozen right now."
The idea was laughable, but I didn't even smile. "It's seven in the morning."
"Oh, like that's a game-changer." Her arms were still crossed. "And while we're at it, I suppose you want to know about the paramedic too."
"What paramedic?"
"The one in that presentation." She scoffed. "The photo, remember? The one where I'm dry humping his leg."
In the image, I'd seen no such thing. AllI'dseen was Tessa clowning around for a photo with friends. I'd found the image hilarious, not damning.
Come to think of it, I'd seen that photo well before watching footage of the full flameout.But the photo itself? It had made me laugh louder than I had in ages.
Now, looking back, I realized something. That photo had been one of the things that had sent me falling.
Tessa had a great sense of humor and wasn't afraid to look foolish. From the start, I had always loved that about her, so hell if I'd mock her for it now.
Quietly, I said, "You want the truth? I liked it."No lie.I might be an asshole, but I was an honest one. And in spite of everything else, I wasn't here to kick her while she was down.
"Ididn't," she said. "With the way they cropped it, I look like a party girl for pay."
My jaw tightened. "That's bullshit."
"Yeah, no kidding. It was taken at a bachelorette party forever ago. The guy wasn't even a real paramedic. And if you saw the whole photo, it would look a whole lot different."
I believed her. But curiosity made me ask, "How different?"
"For starters, there were at least ten other girls. And half of them were drunker than I was. But you don't seethemgetting dragged through the mud, do you?"
Even if Ihadseen the others, I would've only had eyes for Tessa. It had been this way from the start.
But that didn't change anything. And why? Because the thing holding me back had nothing to do with the video.
The footage had only given me something to stare at while sticking to a decision I'd hated to make. But now, looking atthisTessa – the one standing in front of me, looking fragile and real – I was having a hard time holding back.
It was time to get this over with. I held out my hand, palm up. "You wanna give me the keycard? I need it for someone else."
She stiffened. "Seriously?"
Shit."I meant Griff. He's taking the suite after I leave."
She gave a hard swallow. "And when is that?"
"Tonight. After I finish some business." I glanced at my watch. "Speaking of which, I've gotta head out."
She stared. "To do what?"
"Some packing."
