A few seconds passed. ‘Want to talk about it?’
Neel let out a slow breath. ‘I don’t know what there is to talk about. I came to town to get divorce papers signed. That’s what I’m doing.’
‘You don’t look too thrilled about it.’
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be thrilled about divorcing Kaavi,’ Neel said quietly. ‘But it is what it is. People grow apart. Different lives, different ambitions. We just never really dealt with what happened two years ago.’
‘What did happen?’
Neel took a sip of his beer. ‘She left. Walked out because I told my family we were married. It was supposed to stay a secret.’
Gavin frowned. ‘But everyone knows now, right?’
‘They do.’
‘So what’s the problem?’
Neel gave a tired laugh.
‘That’s just it. I don’t know. I wish I had a clear answer. There isn’t a problem, really. But somehow, we’re still broken.’
Gavin studied him for a moment. ‘You sure you’re okay?’
‘I think I’m going to head back up to my room.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yeah. I’m going to call it a night.’
The next morning, Neel stepped into The Grand Meyer’s reception area, phone in hand, then froze. He could’ve sworn he heard his sister’s voice. A second later, he heard it again, louder this time. He looked up and spotted Natara at the reception desk, clearly in the middle of a heated exchange with Gavin.
As he got closer, her voice cut through.
‘All I’m saying is that my brother is staying at this hotel. He hasn’t answered his phone and I’m asking for his room number. How hard is that for you to understand?’
‘I’m sorry, ma’am,’ Gavin said in a flat tone. ‘We can’t give out guest information. You’re welcome to wait in the foyer while we try to contact him.’
‘Why are you making this so hard? May I please speak to your manager?’
Gavin chuckled.
‘Are you seriously laughing at me?’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh,’ Gavin said quickly. ‘I wasn’t actually laughing. I was just wondering how exactly a manager would change anything. I mean, globally, it’s standard that hotels don’t hand out guest information. Can you see how that might be a problem?’
Natara didn’t back down. Her glare sharpened, ready for round two.
‘Natara.’
She spun around.
‘Neel, why haven’t you been answering your phone?’
‘My battery died. I just charged it now and saw all your missed calls and messages.’
He looked her over. ‘Hey, what are you doing here in Rally?’
‘I came to see you, of course.’
