Fuck.Tessa wouldn't be knocking onmydoor. I'd made damn sure of it by vacating the suite. It was a good thing, too, because if she did knock, I was pretty sure I'd answer.
It didn't help that I couldn't even confide in my best friend, because whether it made me a sucker or not, I still wouldn't betray Tessa's trust.
Finally, I replied, "Maisie and whoever. I'm just saying, they're not exactly predictable." I meant it, too, because the thing with Tessa had thrown me for one hell of a loop.
But I was done talking. I stalked to the closet, yanked open the door, and dragged out my suitcase. Then, I reached into my pocket, pulled out Tessa's keycard, and flung it onto the same table where Griff had set the thermos. "The place is yours 'til next Saturday. Crash, cry, whatever. I'm outta here."
And with that, I turned and strode to the suite's door. I yanked it open, walked out, and let the door swing shut behind me, leaving Griff behind to do whatever.
I'd barely made it out when my phone chimed with an incoming call. When I pulled it out to look, something tight and sudden pulled in my chest.Tessa.Desperate to hear her voice, I answered before I could overthink it. "Hello?"
Her tone was all business. "Do you have Stan's thermos?"
Huh?"Who's Stan?"
"The carpenter. From the door, remember?"
I did remember.She'd offered Stan and the rest of them lemonade, like they were old friends, coming to dinner.I liked that about her. I always had.But all I said was, "Yeah?"
"So? Do you have it? His thermos, I mean? It's orange, if that helps."
I didn't want to talk about thermoses. I wanted to talk about her.How was she doing? What was she up to? And why was she calling me about this?
I replied, "I've seen it. Why?"
She breathed a sigh of apparent relief. "Thank God. He needs it back."
"What?"
"It was a gift from his grandkids." And then, she continued in a rush. "Look, I know you probably don't like me calling, and it's not like I wanted to. But this is really important, okay? I had to break up a fight."
A fight? What the hell?"Wait, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. But if youdohave it, can youpleasego down to the dock and give it to Stan before the crew leaves? Orange is his favorite color, and the grandkids painted it themselves. So just do it, alright?"
And then, she hung up.
My jaw was hanging open.A fight?
Over a painted thermos?
And Tessa had been in the middle?
I wasn't liking the sounds ofthat.
Shit.I turned and eyed the door to the suite. I patted my pockets, but couldn't find my key.
Son of a bitch.Griff was gonna lovethis. I stalked back to the door and gave it a good, loud knock. When Griff yanked it open, I made a beeline for the thermos, grabbed it with one hand, and stalked out the way I'd come.
Griff called out after me. "So thatwasyours?"
I replied with a finger that let my mood do the talking.Screw it.I was off to find Stan – not for my own sake and not for Stan's either.
I was doing it for Tessa, just because she'd asked.
And yeah, because somewhere deep in my chest, she still mattered more than I'd ever admit.
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