Sailor’s journal intrigued me. It made me want to know more about her. But her diary is not the reason I’m obsessed, and certainly not the reason my heart beats for her now. No, that was all her just… being her.
My sweet, funny, innocent, sexy girl.
The doors open, and I make my way to the bar that’s past the front desk, where the girls are standing in line. I go around to the other side of the oval-shaped bar and take a seat on the stool. I can see them, and if they looked this way, they could see me too. But maybe Sailor won’t recognize me because I’m too far away and why would I be here, anyway?
Sailor getting some time away from Sam gives me the perfect opportunity to make him go missing. It’s so very tempting, and Vincent even offered to help. I almost took him up on that offer when I remembered the way Sam acted toward Sailor over the phone call with Amelia.
I’m the most possessive, jealous fuck you will meet when it comes to Sailor, but I would never, and I mean never, give her shit for talking to her friend. Not Amelia. She’s a good person, and she makes Sailor happy. Plus, taking more from Vincent means he has more to hold over my head later.
Sailor knows something is wrong with Sam. She knows he isn’t acting right. Yet… she apologized to him. That right there made me want to murder him. I was halfway out the door before I stopped myself.
I can’t interfere. She needs to do this on her own. She needs to figure it out, move forward, and learn by herself. I’ll never have her back fully if she doesn’t. Maybe a weekend with her friend will be the push she needs. Maybe Amelia will have something to say to push Sailor in the right direction. I’ve always liked the way she hyped Sailor up in all the best ways… ways that worked out in my favor.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asks.
He’s dressed in all black with a classic look to him. I bet he makes a shit ton of money in tips, and gets even more phone numbers from all the women on business trips. Men too, probably.
I pull my gaze from Sailor and browse the shelf.
“Johnny Walker Blue.”
He nods then gets to making my drink, pouring a generous amount before sliding it over.
“Would you like to start a tab?”
I pull my wallet from my pocket and hand him a hundred dollar bill. “No, thanks.”
He makes my change, offering it back, but I wave him off.
“Thank you, sir.” He stuffs it into the empty tip jar. It’s still early but it’ll be overflowing by the end of the night.
I take my first sip, the liquor sliding down smoothly, as the girls walk toward the elevator.
I should be in my room making sure they get in there safely, but I wanted to see her in person. Getting up the elevator and into their room isn’t difficult. I’m sure they’ll be fine.
“Hi, handsome.”
Someone takes up the seat to my right, and I slowly bring my gaze to them. A woman in her thirties with auburn hair and too much makeup around her eyes is smiling at me like I’m a steak. She’s well-dressed. A business woman, maybe. Married likely. Travels often. Looking for a good time.
I take the mouthful of my alcohol, feeling guilty over it because this isn’t the type of alcohol to shoot back. You savor it. Enjoy it. I get to my feet and give her a tight smile.
“Have a good night.”
I walk off, hearing her scoff behind me as if she’s never been denied before.
When I get to my room, the sound of Sailor’s laughter flitters through the wall. I put on the headphones that I’d hooked up to the contact microphone earlier, lie on the bed beside the towel-whale, and close my eyes.
Chapter Eleven
Sailor
“You are so lucky!” I squeal as I drop onto the king-sized bed starfish style. “Oh, wow. This mattress isperfect.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Amelia says, dropping onto the bed so our heads are by each other but feet are on opposite sides. I laugh as she groans. “You’re right. This is amazing. I’m never leaving.”
I haven’t known Amelia long, but I suddenly feel bad for never inviting her over to my house. When we did stuff together, we went out. It could have been so much easier, and maybe more fun, to have her come over and hang out. Order pizza. Watch movies. Lay in bed together like I see girls do on TV.
I turn to my side, and rest my head on my arm.
