Page 19 of Manhattan Kiss

“Life isn’t perfect, Deacon,” Ben adds. “She’ll adjust. That’s what we’re good at as humans.”

“I hate the idea that she’s going to be shunted from place to place⁠—”

“Not from place to place,” Bray corrects. “Between two homes. Between two parents who love her. I haven’t seen you in forever, Deacon. You’ve totally dedicated yourself to your little parasite. She’s going to be okay.”

Ben asks, “When’s the last time you⁠—”

“I got laid last night, if that’s what you were going to say.”

“I was actually going to ask if you’ve seen anyone since Gabby.”

I shrug. “Like I said, I got laid last night. I’ve been busy. I haven’t got time for anything other than work or Willow. That’s why I haven’t seen much of you two. And anyway, I wasn’t exactly dating Gabby when she got pregnant. Relationships aren’t my thing. Willow’s already going to have to get used to a stepdad, with Gabby getting engaged. I don’t want her to have to get used to someone else too. It’s too much for a small child.”

“You don’t have to marry anyone, but maybe you should try and carve out a life for yourself beyond Willow and your business.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I ask.

“No offense, but I’m not getting naked with you again,” Bray says. “Not after last time.”

The three of us laugh at a shared memory. We’d all gone to the Hamptons and decided it would be a great idea to skinny-dip in the pitch black, five beers in. Our clothes got taken away by the tide and we had to head back through Southampton, naked, to our beach house.

“Anyone in the mix?” Ben asks.

I shake my head. “Not really.” I shrug. “I mean, there are plenty of hot women about, just…” I hadn’t seen Sienna for a few weeks until recently, because I’d lost interest in her really. I’ve lost interest in all the usual women I sleep with. And I don’t often meet new women I might be interested in.

My mind wanders back to the woman at the hotel. She was the first in a long time I’d even noticed as being attractive. Someone I might hit on in the right circumstances.

But she works at the hotel. It’s not like I’m going to suggest we go get a drink. Hotel on Ninth Street is extremely convenient. If anything ever happened with Willow, I’m practically on the townhouse doorstep. I’m on to a good thing. I don’t want to fuck it up by sleeping with the staff.

“I’m going to make you a promise,” Ben says. “I’m not going to let you disappear again. You’re back in the land of the living now. There’s no going back.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a promise or a threat,” I say.

But it feels good. Gabby’s announcement was like being pushed off a building. Ben and Bray are the soft landing I needed.

EIGHT

Aurora

I may or may not have the beginnings of a crush on Deacon Black, despite knowing that it’s pointless and semi-toxic. It burst into life on Sunday night, a week ago, when I heard what he can do through a closed bedroom door. It doesn’t help that despite being rude, he’s hot AF. He’s been gone for three nights, but he’ll be back at some point today since it’s Sunday. I’m trying hard to focus on my job, but I feel like I’m a teenager trying to spot her crush across the playing fields. My body is set on high alert for Deacon Black.

Today, I switched from reception to housekeeping. It feels like I’ve come back to an old friend. I started at The Rookery in housekeeping, and although it’s hard work, it’s so satisfying finishing a room and leaving it looking incredible. The rooms at Hotel on Ninth Street are much more interesting than at The Rookery. Each one is slightly different, but they all have a moody color palette, cool art, and the odd piece of antique furniture mixed in with the more normal pieces of furniture you’d expect to see in a hotel.

I’m doing turndowns. Last night I was trained by the head of housekeeping, and tonight I’ve got five rooms to do myself. One of those rooms is 325. I’m going to do that one first because, despite my minor crush, the last thing I want is to have Deacon Black in the room while I’m there too. I’m still so embarrassed about seeing him last week as he was showing out Ms. Gordon. I don’t want to have any awkward interactions with him again. The next time I see him, I’ll dart behind a curtain or something. As far as I know, he didn’t file a complaint against me and I don’t want to jog his memory and have him do so now.

As I enter his room, I see his open suitcase on the luggage rack, his clothes still in it.

So he arrived already.

Given he stays three nights a week, every week, you’d think he’d be really good at unpacking. But when I was in housekeeping in The Rookery, the men staying on their own rarely unpacked.

I go straight to the bathroom to switch out the towels.

His washbag is set out on the counter, but I don’t move it. Apart from that, it looks like a bathroom ready for a brand-new guest. Nothing has been touched. I should be able to get out of here quickly.

I set out his bath mat and then move to his bedroom. I close the curtains, check the bins and leave a chocolate on his pillow.

As I work, I can’t help but wonder who, if anyone, he’ll bring back here tonight. Magda told me that he gets a lot of visitors and they don’t stick around for long. I almost asked if they were prostitutes. But of course he’s not using prostitutes. I just wish I knew what his deal was. Why is he here three nights a week when he lives a couple of blocks away?