One of the guests tells another that someone tried to heat up the leftover lasagna in the microwave without taking it out of its metal tin.
While the firefighters head inside, I see Micah shiver slightly. “Aww, you cold? That’s what you get for coming to your door like a whore,” I mock.
He squeezes my arm. “Mhm, I’ll remember that.”
And I’ll forever remember being clitblocked by a lasagna.
It doesn’t take long for everyone to be allowed back into the house, but Kelly and Slater are waiting for us when we do with solemn faces.
“Sorry for the inconvenience, everyone,” Kelly announces. “The fire is out, but it damaged the kitchen and dining room pretty badly. We won’t have use of the kitchen until repairs are done.”
“Because of that, we’ll be issuing refunds to everyone who wants one. We’re also happy to help you find other accommodations if you’d like. We understand not wanting to sleep with the smell of smoke,” Slater offers in apology.
The crowd takes the news rather well and a couple of the guests even opt to stay. Before Kelly gets to work with the guests looking for new accommodations, she excuses herself into the kitchen, while Slater starts helping those who need a refund. I am not a Kelly fan by any means, but the look in her eyes has me following her. I motion for Micah to stay.
What were once beautiful white cabinets are now completely charred. The microwave is lying face down on top of the melted stove. The damage stretches across the entire back wall of the kitchen and the dining room as if they had put the fire out and then it caught them off guard and came back with a vengeance. Kelly is bent forward with her hands on her knees, her cries sounding like dry heaves.
I lift my shirt over my nose and mouth and move closer to her, tapping her on the shoulder. “What can I do?”
She looks stunned to see me. Her lips remind me of a fish the way she opens and closes them multiple times. “I don’t know.” Before I realizewhat’s happening, she wraps me up in a tight hug, resting her head on my shoulder as the sobs take over her body.
I’m sure watching her beloved business almost go up in flames was a traumatic experience, and no one deserves that, not even Kelly. So I hug her back.
Once Kelly is good, I reunite with Micah to head upstairs for our things, but Slater calls my name. “Hey, sorry about all this.” He looks around for listening ears before continuing. “I would say you guys could stay at your new house, but I’m having work done to the HVAC system, so it’s not really comfortable there right now. Want me to help you find somewhere else?”
Micah looks up from his phone, smiling at Slater. “I got it handled, but thanks, man.”
News to me, but okay.
We say our goodbyes as we finish climbing the stairs. “You got it handled?”
He has a gleam in his eye. “Trust me.”
The view from the Viceroy is gorgeous.
When Micah said he had it handled, I did not think he meant booking us a penthouse suite.
“Micah, this is incredible,” I tell him.
“I’m glad you like it,” he says.
“What made you bring us here, though? You’re not usually a flashy kind of guy.”
He pins me with a stare that sets my body aflame. “I thought you’d like it. I don’t know if we’ll get a chance to have dinner at the Hancock building this trip, so I wanted you to have your nice view in some other way.”
“And to think, yesterday you didn’t even want to share a room with me.”
He scoffs. “Get your facts straight, Dani. I was just following your lead.”
He steps toward me, and I don’t know what makes me do it, but I step back.
The move makes him freeze in place. I was so sure mere hours ago. My body is still sure, but that fire alarm allowed my head to fill with doubts. I can see it’s too late for me to say anything. Micah has retreated back behind the boundaries I set.
Fuck.
My phone rings and I yank it out of my pocket.
Micah peeks and chuckles, unamused. “Myomari’s calling.”
