“What?” he exclaimed, nearly dropping the phone. Pushing himself away from the computer, he whipped his tail around. “I’m just supposed to barge into her hotel room and demand I sleep there?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think she’s gonna like that.”
In fact, he didn’t think Liora liked him very much right now. The drive back to the hotel had been uncomfortably silent and while he kept his eyes on the road ahead, she stared outside the opposite window, refusing to even glance his way. When he pulled up the entrance, she left without a word, slamming the door behind her.
I’m the biggest jerk in the world.
He shouldn’t have snapped at her like that. It wasn’t even her fault. She asked about his father because it was her job.
This was all too much. The accidental marriage, finding out about his father…Too many feelings in such a short time.
“Hello? Maldenis are you there?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said. “Alright, I’ll head over there as soon as I’m done here.” And, based on the fact that tonight’s onlycustomer had his cheek plastered to the bar top as he snored, Maldenis guessed that would be very soon. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he shouted toward the back room. “Makron! Charlie!”
Makron’s head popped out from the entryway. “What?”
“I’m heading out.”
“Now?” his cousin exclaimed. “The inspection?—”
“Will be fine. I checked everything else myself. As long as those toilets are spotless, we’ll pass.”
Charlie’s head appeared beside Makron’s. “Where are you going?”
“I got stuff to do.” Bless their hearts, Makron and Charlie had no idea what was going on, or at least they didn’t really give a rat’s ass about being shunned. The three of them had always been different from the rest of their family. “I’ll see you at the reception. My mother will let your mothers know the details.”
“What reception thing?” Charlie asked, which earned him a smack on the head from Makron.
“His marriage with that Upperworld chick, remember?”
“Oh yeah.”
Maldenis swung around the bar, headed out, waving to his cousins as he left, and headed to his vehicle. After a quick stop at his place where he packed up a bag of essentials—his mother said not to worry about his clothes, she’d be providing everything he needed—he drove to the Stonestare Suites.
Why am I so nervous?
The question lingered in his mind as he made his way up to her room. They had parted on such a sour note. Would she even want to see him?
Scrounging up every last bit of his courage, he knocked on the door. “Liora?” he called out. “It’s me. I mean, it’s Maldenis.”
He expected complete silence. Or maybe yelling. He didn’t expect for the door to immediately open.
“What do you want?” Liora asked in a chilly tone.
Casually, he leaned against the jamb. “You look cozy.” His gaze flicked down to her flannel pajamas. Strangely, something about the casual attire made her even more attractive.
Don’t even think about that.
Clearing his throat, he continued, “Enjoying your evening of bad movies and room service?”
“I am,” she said with a sniff. “Or I was. Until now.”
He supposed he should apologize. For how he snapped at her. Pushed her away. Unfortunately for her, he wasn’t the apologizing type.
“That’s good,” he said, completely ignoring the irked scowl she flashed him. “By the way, I’m moving in with you.” Not bothering to wait for her reaction, he slinked past her and into the luxurious suite.
