The next morning, I head down to the lobby to finalize our bill. Today is our last day in Seattle. I’m fighting the hardest battle to maintain a brave front. I’ve only known Melanie for two years, but she’s my family, so I’m going to miss her very much.
“Put thirty dollars on the AmEx, forty on the MasterCard, and the remainder of the balance on the Visa, please.”
From the way the hotel clerk’s eyes narrow, anyone would swear I’m paying my bill with pennies.
“Oh no, put forty dollars on the AmEx,” I instruct after double-checking my online balance. I only have thirty-one dollars left on my MasterCard, so I don’t want to risk an overdrawn fee.
My heart freezes when a deep voice to my left says, “Pay her bill with this.”
When a platinum credit card is thrust over my shoulder, I attempt to snatch it out of the hotel clerk’s grasp. “No, it’s fine.”
The stern middle-aged lady raises the card out of my reach. With her pointed-up nose looking down at me, she runs it through the machine, ignoring my request not to.
“Thank you, sir,” she replies almost robotically before handing the card and my receipt to the man standing behind me.
Heat creeps across my cheeks. I’m utterly mortified. I don’t think I’ve ever been more embarrassed.
I’m proven a liar when I spin on my heels to discover Emily, Noah, and Marcus standing next to Slater. The concerned gleam in their eyes reveals they witnessed my embarrassing exchange, but to save face, they smile at me like nothing happened.
I can only wish Slater would take a page out of their books. He paid my hotel bill without permission, yet he’s the one who looks like he’s about to blow his top.
Incapable of standing his wrath for a second longer, I mumble an incoherent, “Thanks,” before dashing to the elevator banks. I make it through the doors at a record-setting pace, sighing when they commence closing with only me inside. I’d hate to add being a teary, blubbering idiot to my accomplishments today.
My reprieve doesn’t last long. Just before the elevator doors fully snap shut, a tattooed arm forces them back open. My heart stops beating when Slater steps inside the car. I keep my gaze fixed on the elevator dashboard and my tears on the down low. I will not cry in front of this man.
Slater’s glare adds heat to my already blushing cheeks. “Why didn’t you accept Emily’s job offer if you need the money so badly?”
“I have money… I… just…umm…” I try to think of an excuse for why I needed to use three maxed out credit cards to pay my hotel bill, but my mind is blank. I’ve never been a good liar. That’s why I left Slater the way I did.
My budget was on track until I paid for us to take a taxi to the nightclub last night, then the excessive cover charge pushed my budget to its absolute limit. I would have sold my left lung on the black market if it was the only way I could fund this weekend with Melanie, though. It was our final hoorah, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything in the world.
“Why come all the way to Seattle if you’re fucking poor?!” Slater’s roar rumbles around the interior of the elevator, slapping my already damaged ego.
An appreciative sigh spills from my lips when the elevator arrives at my floor. I mutter a quick goodbye to Slater before fleeing to my hotel room, not bothering to answer his question. I’ve never felt the need to explain myself before, so I won’t start now.
I don’t need to turn around to know Slater is following me. If the stomping of his boots isn’t obvious enough, the looks on the elderly ladies’ faces walking past me are all the indication I need.
Melanie’s eyes shoot up from her suitcase when I slam our hotel room door shut before leaning my back against it. My heart is racing so fast, it feels like I ran up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Within seconds, loud knocking bellows into our room.
Melanie stands from her suitcase and saunters toward me. Her face is marred with confusion.
“Open the door, Kylie.” Slater’s loud voice vibrates through the white melamine door, both exciting and petrifying me.
As Melanie’s manicured brows shoot up high into her hairline, she motions for me to open the door. I shake my head, my gaze shifting to look at anything but her squinted eyes.
With the strength of a tigress, Melanie yanks me away from the door, surprising me with her strength since she’s ten pounds lighter than me and four inches shorter. Once she opens the door wide enough for Slater to enter, he strolls into the room, his eyes darting in all directions, seeking me.
His lips firm when he spots me hiding like a coward behind the door. “Do you need a job?”
The brisk shake of my head stops when concern flashes across Melanie’s face. She peers at me from behind Slater’s shoulder with tear-filled eyes and quivering lips. She encourages me to admit defeat with the grit I can only hope to emulate one day.
After biting on the inside of my cheek, I change my head shake to a nod. My ego takes a severe beating in the process, but at the end of the day, Iamin desperate need of employment.
Slater’s eyes bore into mine. I can’t tell if he’s angry or relieved. He’s giving off both signs at the moment. “You start tomorrow morning.”
Unable to form any words to express my gratitude that he’s giving me this opportunity after everything I did to him, I offer my thanks with a shaky smile. Melanie’s ear-piercing squeal startles Slater so much, he jumps out of his skin. When she engulfs me in a tight hug that sends us toppling to the floor, Slater slips into the corridor.
“Promise me you’ll keep the skanks away from my future husband,” Melanie requests with pleading, puppy dog eyes.
