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“I’m sorry to have to leave you, but my boss will kill me if my name doesn’t appear on the attendance list.”
“I get it.”
Minny grabs a pair of dress shoes from her bag and slips them onto her feet.
“What time is your date?”
“I’m not sure. He really didn’t set a time.”
“Well, hopefully, I’ll be back before he comes by. I’d like to meet this guy. You know, give him the once-over.” She smiles as she heads for the door. “Feel free to borrow something out of my bag if you don’t feel like shopping. I’m sure there will be something in there that will work.” She opens the door with a smile. “See you later. Maybe I can sneak out, and we can grab lunch.”
Closing the door behind her, Minny heads off to her conference, leaving me alone in our room for most of the day, which I spend sleeping. I wake up around noon when Minny texts me to let me know they catered lunch in for the conference. I consider ordering room service or delivery, but my stomach is still upset. So, instead, I opt to go back to sleep.
By late afternoon, I find myself getting ready for dinner with Thor. The nerves kick in as I stand staring at my bag, contemplating what to wear. I didn’t pack for a date. Truthfully, it’s been so long that I have no idea what people wear for dates these days. Dates had stopped the second Terrance and I got married unless it was for a work function.
Finding nothing in my bag, I check Minny’s. She apparently prepared to party because her bag is filled with dresses in various colors and lengths. I find a black dress with one sleeve toward the bottom of her bag and pull it out.
“This might work.”
It’s not too short, and the shoes I wore yesterday will still work with it. I change into the dress and stare at myself in the mirror. The cocktail dress hugs my curves in all the right places. There’s a slight sheen to the material—not quite disco ball, but it shimmers in the light. It makes me feel confident and sexy, and I figure it’s the perfect choice for a thank-you dinner. I slip on the strappy heels and carefully apply my makeup, opting for smoky eyes and red lips.
Satisfied, I head out to the main room of our suite and get settled on the couch until he shows. An hour ticks by, then another. A third one rolls around, and noise outside the door sends my heart fluttering until the keycard reader beeps, and Minny steps inside.
“You’re still here?” she asks. “Please tell me he didn’t stand you up.”
“No, he didn’t stand me up,” I reply, my voice tinged with disappointment. “He just hasn’t shown up yet.”
Minny raises an eyebrow, a mix of concern and annoyance crossing her face. “He better have a damn good reason for keeping you waiting like this,” she says, stepping farther into the room and closing the door behind her.
“I mean, we didn’t set a time. Maybe he didn’t mean tonight.”
Before I can respond, there’s a knock on the door. We both turn our heads toward it, anticipation building in the air. I rush to answer it, hoping that Thor has finally arrived.
As I swing open the door, my heart sinks. It’s not Thor standing there but a hotel staff member holding a tray of food. “Room service for Ms. Anderson,” he says with a polite smile.
“Oh...” I mutter, feeling deflated. “I didn’t order any food.”
The staff member checks his list and then looks back at me apologetically. “Apologies, ma’am. It seems there’s been a mistake. This tray was meant for another room.”
“No worries,” I say with a forced smile.
As soon as the staff member leaves and I shut the door behind me, Minny lets out a frustrated sigh. “You know, it won’t take me long to change. We can go grab dinner instead.”
A second knock comes to the door. Minny sidesteps me and flings it open. “Dude, we didn’t order—” she declares loudly before she trails off. “I, um… think it’s for you, Charlie.”
Peering over her shoulder, I find Thor standing on the other side. My heart leaps in my chest as I lock eyes with him, his green gaze sending a jolt of electricity through me. He’s dressed in a simple button-down shirt and jeans, looking effortlessly handsome.
“I hope I’m not too late,” he says with a warm smile, his voice deep and soothing.
I can’t help but blush at his words, feeling both relieved and thrilled that he finally showed up. “No, not at all,” I reply, my voice tinged with excitement. “I was just starting to think you weren’t coming.”
Thor’s smile widens as he steps into the room, his eyes flickering to Minny before settling back on me. “I apologize. There was an emergency that required my attention.”
“Do you want to come in?”
“Sure.” He smiles. I tug on Minny’s elbow, drawing her from the door to let him inside. Her eyes never leave him like mine. His lips turn into a smirk as his eyes sweep over my outfit—an appreciative gleam lighting up his gaze.
“You look stunning,” he says, his voice low and intimate.
