Erin’s caution proved premature when Mark and Genevieve abruptly turned off into a smaller hallway off the arcade, then disappeared.
Raya peeked around the corner. “They’re gone.”
“Where did they go?” Erin peeked over Raya’s shoulder. Several signs hung from the hallway ceiling, indicating different rooms. She read them aloud one by one. “Salon de Coiffure. Le Spa. Le Organisateur de Mariage.”
“Oh, my,” said Phoenix. He chuckled and shook the remaining ice in his glass, which clinked gently, the sounds echoing in the marble-tiled hallway.
“Organisateur … ” said Erin, uncertainly.
“Organizer,” said Phoenix, appearing to enjoy himself hugely.
“The organizer of … marriage?”
“Give the lady a prize,” said Phoenix, raising his glass to her.
“They’re getting married? Already?” The Singapore Sling in her stomach threatened to reappear.
“Easy, there,” said Raya, steering her away from the little hallway. “Why don’t we go sit down?”
“Sit down? I can’t sit down! What if they come back out and see me?”
“Fine,” said Raya. “Back to the truck. Demon, we’ll see you later.”
“What, I can’t catch a ride in your truck bed? My heart breaks.”
“Get lost,” said Raya, who had looped her arm through Erin’s and was practically frog-marching her out of the hotel.
Phoenix smirked. “I needed a refill anyway. Goodbye, Your Witchiness.” He nodded to Erin and strolled away, in the direction of the bar.
“I can walk,” said Erin. “You don’t need to drag me.”
Raya loosened her hold. “I didn’t want you to keel over from shock while we were still inside.”
“I’m not keeling over,” said Erin. “I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.”
“Sure. Surprised. That’s why you looked like you were going to explode on the spot.”
They reached Raya’s truck and got in.
In the confined space, Erin could hear her own breath, which came faster than normal—and not just from fleeing the hotel. “I’m not upset about them,” she said. “I’m upset at myself. Why am I following them around? Why did I run away? They can get married or fly to the moon, for all I care.”
Raya turned the key in the ignition, sending ice-cold air blasting into the cab. “Well, that’s great! You’re more over Mark than you thought.”
“I don’t care what he does. Or what they do.”
“And now you know that.” Raya threw the truck into reverse and backed out of the parking spot.
“I guess I kind of knew it all along—stop!”
Raya hit the brakes, the sudden stop slamming both women against their seatbelts. “What is it?”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“You don’t?”
“Let’s go back to the pool.”
“Really?” Raya peered at Erin.
