Damn, he looks good.
I let my eyes drink in the length of him, appreciating his broad shoulders and the confident way he carries himself as he heads over to us. My stomach fills with butterflies, but I quickly clip their wings.
“Hi, Mason. What are you doing here?” I ask.
The clacking sound of our suitcases and two sets of heels clicking on the tile echo throughout the vaulted ceilings of the expensive lobby. Announcing our arrival in an otherwise quiet space, every person seated in the lobby area and those dining at the hotel bar directly in front of us suddenly look up.
He stops a little less than an arm’s reach away. “I used to live here, remember? And I’m still trying to wrap up some loose ends with my previous restaurant.”
“Oh, okay. That makes sense.”
It would be my luck that he just happens to be staying at the same hotel that we are because that’s how the universe works. I’ll probably end up running into him at check-in, then again at the ice machine, and most likely at breakfast in the morning.
“What areyoudoing here?” He quickly glances down at my uniform. “I assume you’re working?”
“Hi, I’m Lina,” she interjects, popping her hand out to shake his hand. Mason meets her greeting, flashing a quick smile before shifting his attention back to me.
“Our flight was delayed into the evening, so the airline just took their home base crew to the next destination. Now we get to stay here for the night and then finish our last two legs tomorrow,” I explain.
He nods.
“So, you’re back in town for business with the restaurant?” I ask, my tone dry and flat. I’m trying my best to make small talk, but it’s coming across awkward and unnatural.
“Yes, I just need to finish up a few things, then I’ll fly back to Phoenix tomorrow afternoon,” he says, giving me one of his typical powerful smiles that makes my self-respect pool in a puddle on the floor.
“Alright, well, you have a good night,” I say as he approaches the check-in counter in front of us.
Once his check-in is complete, he takes a phone call and walks right past us, stopping off to the side. From my peripheral, I see him slowly pace back and forth during his call.
With our room keys in hand, Lina and I head to the elevators, which happen to be directly in front of Mason. His phone call ends the minute we pass in front of him.
“Do you want to have a drink with me?” he calls out, abruptly sticking his hand out to block the elevator doors from closing.
It startles me, and my eyes widen. The minute those words fall off his tongue, my mind filters through two choices. Go to my empty room alone like I do every time I travel or take Mason up on his offer getting a free drink out of it? I could go for a martini right now; it has been a long day.
How bad do I want that drink?
“Sure, I’ll have one drink with you.” I smile.
Lina turns to me. “You two apparently know each other very well, so I’m not going to be the protective friend right now. Bailey, if you need anything, just give me a call. I’ll see you in the morning,” she says, then turns on her heels and enters the elevator.
I reluctantly follow my brother’s best friend over to the bar.
Wheeling my small black luggage under the black granite countertop, I rest my heels on top of the footrest at the base of the high-top chair. Mason takes the seat to my left. As soon as he sits down, he loosens his necktie and unbuttons the top button on his white collared shirt. My eyes travel along his wide shoulders and down his bent arms, which look too large for his thin, long-sleeved shirt.
He shifts his body to get comfortable before turning to catch me staring in his direction. I dart my eyes away.
“You’re eye fucking me, aren’t you?”
Shit.“No, I was not. I was just waiting for you to get settled so we can order our drinks.”
He smirks. “Sure.”
The bartender walks up, placing two small napkins in front of us. “What can I get you two?” he asks.
Mason gestures in my direction, letting me order first.
“I’ll take a Cosmo,” I respond, then turn to Mason, curious about his drink of choice.
