It was the only thing she could think of to get him to leave.
“I’ll accept it. For now.” He grazed the top of her forehead with his lips. “Good night, Nico.” He turned and began walking back down the hallway. “I’ll call you tomorrow morning. And if you don’t pick up, I’ll be at your door.”
She entered the room to find Charles and told him what had happened.
“He’s so confident I’m going to go with him. He acted as though I didn’t have anything better to do.”
Charles bit his lip. “Well …”
“That’s beside the point. He doesn’t know that.”
“Well …”
Nico blinked, staring at Charles. “What’s with that look?”
“He might have gotten that idea from me.”
“What?”
“I told him you weren’t doing anything.”
“What about our plans?”
“What plans? I’m going to visit mother in Booger Hole.”
Nico still didn’t believe Charles’s mother actually lived in a place called Booger Hole. But she couldn’t go there now.
“Fine. But you still didn’t have to tell him I had no plans.”
“Why not? What is wrong with him knowing? I know it’s not just his nieces who want you to come. Why are you resisting this? I know it’s complicated because you two are teammates, but can’t you figure that out? I mean, look at how well the two of you did in this race!”
“It isn’t just that. He kissed me.”
Charles’s eager eyes lit up. “All the more reason not to resist. What was it like?”
Nico sat down on the edge of the bed.
Charles gasped. “Like that, was it?”
“It was … it was …”
“Say no more. Your face says it all. After a kiss like that, I don’t know why we’re talking about any of this. It’s obvious you’re going. Thatmaybemeantyes.”
Nico shook her head. “No, it doesn’t. It can’t. Remember Mickey? Don’t you see? When he was kissing me and his hands grazed that scar, I went cold. That told me everything I need to know.”
“What do you mean?”
“If Mickey sees me getting close to Rocco and his family, he might try to get at me through them. Find some way to hurt them.”
“J’accuse!” Charles cried dramatically, pointing his finger at Nico. “I was right! You do care about him.”
“If I do, then I’ll sayno. And that’s whatmaybemeans—no. I’m turning off my cell. I’m having the hotel hold any calls. And if he comes to the door, I’m not opening it.”
Charles stood up and turned on his heels. “Fine,” he spat.
Nico got up and grabbed his arm. “And you’re not either, Charles. Promise me. Right. Now.”
Charles sighed, holding up his right hand as though he were about to testify in court. “I promise I will not open that door if he’s knocking on it.”
