The driver chuckled. “I’ll make sure your bags are handled, Mr. Farren.”
“Thank you, Theo.” I glanced at Sam, who was still gawking. “How about we go in?”
He blinked at me and swallowed. “I don’t feel like I’m dressed fancy enough to walk on those floors.”
I took Sam’s hand, which was as much of a surprise to me as it was for him, and brought him along with me inside the hotel. “You are dressed fine.”
“Mr. Farren, such a pleasure to have you. Welcome to The Carlyle.”
“Thank you.”
Sam was swiveling his head to see everything so quickly, I worried it would fly off.
“The presidential suite is ready.” She handed me a key. “You can take the private elevator, and your bags will be up shortly. Enjoy your stay.”
I had to gently tug Sam to follow—the man would have fallen flat on his face otherwise. I stepped into the elevator and hit the button. It would take us to the twenty-sixth floor, and I found myself almost excited to see Sam’s reaction.
“This is the nicest elevator I’ve ever been in,” he mumbled, and I couldn’t hold back a smile. He had commented that about the elevator at my house as well. Sam looked at me and beamed. “You should smile more often; you’re really good at it.”
The elevator opened, and I was thankful I didn’t have to respond. Sam stepped out and gasped.
“Check out these murals. Are they real gold? No, don’t answer that, I’d rather pretend they are…” He faced me. “Unless they are.” I opened my mouth to answer, but he stopped me. “No, don’t ruin it for me.”
“I wouldn’t dare. Would you like to see the rest of the suite or stay here?”
Sam narrowed his eyes playfully. “Give me the tour, then.”
That tour took a while since Sam had a million questions and opened every closet, drawer, and cabinet he came across. Finally, we’d come full circle.
“There are three bedrooms. Feel free to choose whichever you’d like.” Bedrooms never excited me like they did humans. I didn’t require sleep, so it didn’t matter.
“You can take the master bedroom. This is on your dime, and you were so kind to bring me here.”
“If you’d like the master bedroom, I’m happy to give you the experience, Sam.”
His face scrunched up. “Happy, you?”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s an emotion I have been known to have a time or two.”
“Well, I appreciate that, but it doesn’t sit right with me, so I’ll take a different bedroom.” I didn’t stop him as he walked awaytoward one of the bedrooms. It would be a silly argument to have.
The gala was the following night, so we weren’t in any rush. Dinner would be tricky, but I was sure I could figure out what to do. I’d rubbed shoulders with many humans before during dinners; I’d manage.
I went to find Sam, which wasn’t difficult. He was standing near the window in the living room. There was an extraordinary view of the city.
“Would you like to order dinner in or go downstairs?”
Sam spun to face me with a small smile on his face. “Can we eat in? This is all so overwhelming, and I’m sort of tired after the ride.”
“Of course.” I moved to the kitchen where I’d seen a menu and brought it to him. “Pick whatever you’d like.”
“What about you?”
I couldn’t excuse myself, but there were people at The Carlyle that worked for the council who were aware of my special diet, and that was the advantage.
“I’m fussy. Just tell them I’ll have the red-star special.”
He glanced at the menu and flipped it over. “I don’t see that here.”
