It isn’t just luxury. It’s curated perfection. Like every detail has been chosen for someone who expects nothing less.
And for a second, I don’t know where to stand. I don’t know how to exist in a space like this.
Lucian leads us down a short hallway and motions to a smaller bedroom with two queen size beds.
“You both can rest here. I had them bring up a few things—clothes, toiletries. If you need anything else, just tell me. Maybe in a day or two, if you’re feeling up for it, we can go shopping.”
Maeve’s eyes are comically wide. “Do we have a limit?”
I smack her arm with the back of my hand, shooting her a look.
Lucian chuckles. “It’s okay, it’s a fair question. No, no limit.” He looks over at me. “Go crazy, get whatever you like. For both of you. I’ll have some men with us to help carry the bags.”
My mouth drops open as Maeve bounces up and down.
“No way.” She squeals beside me. “Thank you, Lucian!”
Lucian smiles at her. “Thank you, Maeve. For taking care of my girl when I couldn’t.”
Maeve beams, and my chest warms at the sight.
“I’ll let you ladies get to it. Feel free to order room service if you get hungry. I’ll just be down the hall. Maybe we can have dinner together tonight, if you’re not too tired?”
“Thank you. Dinner sounds great.”
Lucian nods, and his footsteps retreat down the hallway.
The bedroom is modern with blackout curtains and clean sheets. Maeve runs and jumps into one of the beds. I crawl into the other, curl around a fluffy pillow. It smells like fabric softener. The mattresshugs my body.
“Oh, I could get used to this. It’s so comfy!” Maeve groans as she stretches.
“This bed is like a cloud.” I lay back and close my eyes, and before I know it, I’m falling fast asleep.
6 FIRST TASTE
The next morning, I wake up to the smell of pancakes and syrup. Maeve sits cross-legged on the bed beside me, grinning over a silver-domed tray like a gremlin who’s just stolen treasure.
“Lucian said to get whatever we want. So, I ordered the works.” She lifts the lid with a flourish. “You’re welcome.”
There are pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fruit slices arranged in a spiral, and two tiny glass bottles of fresh-squeezed juice. Also? Whipped butter in a rose shape.
My stomach growls loud enough to answer for me.
“You know this is like… ten breakfasts, right?”
“Exactly,” she says, handing me a fork. “We deserve ten breakfasts.”
After a lazy morning, I head into the bathroom. I turn on the water and let out a happy sigh just looking at the water pressure. The water quickly heats, and steam fills the room. I step inside and groan softly as the water hits my skin. Maybe hot water does heal all. As I use the fancy soaps, the scents swirl and fill my lungs. The grime of everything goes down the drain and my muscles relax. I can’t even remember the last time I had a hot shower. Or ever where I wasn’t rushing to get through it.
For the first time, I feel clean. After getting dressed and settling on thecouch with Maeve, Lucian brings me different treats that he remembered from my childhood. My favorite is a delicate custard tart, topped with strawberries. Maeve’s favorite is the chocolate cream puff.
He takes Maeve and I to the aquarium. We marvel at all the fish and stop at every exhibit. We get little jars with floating jellyfish in them from the gift shop.
The next day, Lucian takes me on a walk around the hotel. We talk and with every word my body relaxes. I learn more about my grandparents, my Grandma Gracie. She was strong, confident, and she didn’t take shit from anyone. I’m honored to have her name and I’m determined to live up to it.
Maeve pulls me out of bed the next morning with one mission: retail therapy. She ignores any protests and drags me into one boutique after another. Lucian and his men trailing behind us. As a CEO it must be nice to have security guards. Silk blouses, pleated skirts, and sunglasses I could never justify buying. I try things on with mounting skepticism, but Maeve? She’s lit up.
“You’re hot,” she says as I turn in the mirror. “Own it.”
