“Hudson,” I repeat his name on my tongue, liking the sound of it.
He watches me, a startled look on his face as I continue saying it.Hudson. Hudson. Hudson.He clears his throat and my cheeks turn pink.
“Sorry.” I wince, bringing a shoulder to my ear as I slip into the air conned car. “Oh, wow.” I sigh, closing my eyes as I enjoy the slither of coolness against my clammy skin.
I wouldn’t say the weather was unbearable. No, it’s just a lot from what I am used to back home.
Hudson, clearly fed up of me already, closes the door and makes his way to the driver’s side. I lean forward, about to speak but instead, he closes me off by pressing the glass window up.
Rude.
I sit back in the chair, pouting with my arms crossed against my chest. After a moment or two, I slip my phone out and find Edel’s number, ready to call her and word vomit into the earpiece but I am gently reminded of time zones.
Damn it. A sarcastic text will have to suffice.
Yanking my diary out, I flick through the pages and land on my itinerary that I have carefully organised and scheduled. First stop, meet Nora atThe Langham.
Nerves prick at the base of my neck, my palms clammy. I still wasn’t quite sure why I agreed to this. I was quite happy writing love stories from the comfort of my living room in the Cotswolds but no, my agent, thought this was the right way to go.
Scrubbing my face, I scan down the list. Twenty-four races, all around the world. And I’ll be at every single one. Swallowing down the lump that is slowly creeping up my throat, I slide my diary back into my rucksack and drop it to my feet.
I feel scared but thinking that unnerves me. I’m not sure scared is the right word. Apprehensive, maybe? I don’t know what it is, but there is a feeling niggling in the deepest pit of my stomach and I have no idea how to get rid of it.
Hudson helpsme into the lobby with my bag and I thank him. He gives me a curt nod before rushing off.
I take a moment to look around the hotel; it is stunning and right in the centre of the hustle and bustle. A quick internet search told me there was plenty for me to do here, if we were staying here, of course. The grand hotel was bunched between skyscrapers, but it didn’t take away any of its beauty.
Walking to the front desk, I wait patiently before a younger woman blinks up at me.
“May I help you?” A wide smile edges the corner of her mouth.
“I’m meeting someone, Nora…” I pull my phone out as I scroll for her email. “Saint Onyx?”
The woman stares at me blankly for a moment, then her long nails tap on her keyboard.
“Opal?” I hear a British accent echo around the lobby.
A woman with short pixie hair, green eyes, petite frame is walking towards me. She is dressed in a Saint Onyx polo and shorts. Her wide beam of a smile grows as she steps closer.
“You must be Opal Bloom.” Her eyes glisten as her hand shoots out for me to take.
“Please, call me Athena.” I place my hand in hers and she gives it a firm shake.
“Lovely to meet you, Athena” she says softly.
“Likewise.” I roll my lips into a smile.
“Okay, so first things first… I am assuming you would like a shower.” She laughs softly, and I nod as she ushers for me to follow her over to the reception desk.
“Hi.” Nora flashes the receptionist that dazzling smile. “Room for Opal Bloom, under Saint Onyx.”
“I’ll check that for you,” the golden-haired receptionist answers, tapping her long nails against the keys again. Her lips twitch as she slips out two room cards from her desk, swiping them then placing them face down on the counter. “Room three thirty. Slip the key into the elevator and it’ll take you to your floor.”
“Thank you.” I slide the key from the counter and hold onto it.
“Thank you.” Nora mirrors me and the receptionist gives us a warm smile.
“Are you staying here?” I ask, that horrible knot in my stomach making itself known.
