“Ah, I just wanted to be part of your big night,” he answered and I could hear that he was jealous of how involved Nolan and Landon were. “But maybe there’s something you could do to make it up to me later.”
“We’ll see,” I whispered. Luckily, the ballroom was loud enough that I was sure nobody could hear us, as long as we kept our voices low. “Right now, you’re a guest, so maybe you need to put in a request so people don’t get suspicious. Unless you want more rumors among the staff.”
Bryant grinned. “The gossip keeps them motivated. Just go see if the bride is happy.”
“Of course,” I nodded, and straightened up to go check on Dahlia, who was smiling whenever she wasn’t facing Forrest’s mother.
The night went by in a blur for the most part. I found myself sneaking more moments in with Landon, Nolan, and Bryant, taking care of the festivities in between. I was having as much of a good time as any of the guests were, if not more.
Eventually, things began to wind down, and people began to leave in drips and drabs. I rushed to and fro to get the cleaning crew in while not making it too obvious. The room had to beready again for breakfast in the morning, and the night staff wouldn’t be able to do it all by themselves in time if they didn’t start as soon as possible.
Landon was the one focusing on greeting guests and thanking them for their attendance, while Nolan had retreated to the kitchen, probably to get it prepped for the morning.
By the time it was all done, I was exhausted, but the adrenaline was still high. It was unlike any feeling I had ever had before.
“Would you meet me by the pool to check on something?” Landon’s voice drifted over my shoulder when he walked past me after the last of the guests were gone and the staff was finishing up. “It’s important.”
“Sure,” I answered with a quick nod. I finished up the last of my duties and made sure that everyone was aware of what still needed to be done. Then, I headed for the elevator and down to the ground floor. I was starting to feel how tired I was and really looking forward to crashing into my bed. Hopefully whatever needed to be done by the pool would be over quickly, and we could debrief and leave for the night.
When I got outside, the quietness drifted over me like a comforting blanket. Landon was standing in one of the cabanas at the far end of the pool, clearly waiting for me. It wasn’t obvious what it was he wanted me to check, but I had a feeling that it had been an excuse to get me out there for some other reason.
“Mm, things out here look fine,” I said when I reached him, crossing my arms and peering at him suspiciously. “There’s nothing I need to check, is there?”
Landon laughed dryly and awkwardly fidgeted with the gold watch on his left wrist.
“You got me,” he answered, glancing around as if he was making sure no one else was there. “I wanted to talk to you in private. There’s a bunch of assistants waiting in my office to go over the morning schedule, so that wasn’t going to work.”
“Right.” I watched him in anticipation, noticing how awkward he looked. It was somewhat funny to see him that uncomfortable. Landon wasn’t often caught with his walls down, and I was impressed with myself that I’d managed to get him in that state.
“I, uh,” he started, then chuckled at himself and tried again. “I think I’m in love with you. I have been for a while. I just… I’ve been terrified of actually telling you.”
I smiled at him, warmth building up in my chest as I walked closer and grabbed his face with two hands. “I’m done being scared. I feel the same way.”
I pulled him toward me to kiss him, tasting the expensive champagne when our lips met. He hesitated for a second before putting his arms around me and leaning into the moment entirely.
There was a cool breeze brushing over my skin, and the calm of the night around us made it feel as if we’d fallen into an entirely different world. I closed the rest of the gap between us, feeling Landon’s heart beating through our clothes.
“Excuse me, what the hell is going on here?” The voice that came suddenly made us leap apart, and both of us turned to see Forrest standing by the doors that led out to the pool. “Isthishow staff climb the corporate ladder at this establishment? Unacceptable!”
Before either of us could try to explain, he stormed off. I wasn’t sure where to, but I knew that we were in real trouble this time.
30
Landon
“Where are the tulips?” I watched as Adriana marched across the lobby, demanding answers from the staff who were running in all directions. Someone answered, but I couldn’t hear them above the rest of the noise.
Adriana barked a command before checking her tablet. “Get the make-up artist up to the bride’s room. They have requests for water and a charcuterie board. The kitchen should have that ready.”
As she spoke, people darted off to do as she asked, all filled with intense anxious energy.
Dahlia and Forrest’s wedding was happening today, and it was one of the biggest events of the year for the Pacific. The press was crowding the outside of the hotel, clamoring for the best shots and a chance to be allowed a peek indoors. I was heading out to deal with that, but I had to pause to watch Adriana work.
She was like a master conductor, running the world’s greatest orchestra. Nothing was missed, and everything moved in synchronized perfection. It was impressive, given that she’d only been at the hotel a few months. I could stand there and simply observe her for hours, but I had my own work to do.
I stepped out of the front doors, only to be confronted by the flashes of dozens of cameras and the yells of people asking questions about the celebrities inside.
Security was holding them back as best they could, but the whole scene made me feel as if I was standing in the middle of some strange zombie apocalypse. People tried leaning over the dividers as if that would get them a better view of the inside.
