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Her eyes drifted to Dorian, then back to me. "I'm well. I've been good. What about you?" she stepped back. "I love your dress."
I laughed and pointed to Dorian. “Thanks, but I was just saying how much I love that lilac dress. It’s stunning.”
Carla gazed at the dress in the showcase, and even with the lights off, it stood out.
“Thank you,” she smiled proudly. “That one didn’t take as long to make, funny enough.”
“You made it? It’s gorgeous. I had no idea you were still in Nor Valley or that you had this shop,” she nodded, her cheeks staining with a blush.
She was human like me, and it seemed she was as reserved as when we were kids. We'd only met one time, but we'd spent the entire day together, her, Diana, and I, and there was no way to forget eyes like hers.
We’d kept in contact for a few years during school, but as close as we were, her father was strict, and so was my Mom. Trips out of town alone were a no-go, and we eventually lost contact.
We were also roughly the same age, but she looked so much younger and being at least 5'5, she was a gorgeous petite woman.
"Thank you," she said. "Now, I need to sell it, but there is a luxury boutique inside Golden Sailor."
I turned to the hotel and felt bad that was precisely where I was going. Not to the boutique, but just standing here for a few minutes, I could tell how much the hotel's presence was robbing Carla's spotlight.
“I’ll be back,” I told her. “I promise you that.”
We exchanged numbers and said our goodbyes. She waved at Dorian somewhat timidly, and he smiled and gave her a nod in response.
“She seemed nice,” Dorian said to my surprise. “She’s very talented.”
“She is,” I moved a few strands of his hair back from his forehead, but they bounced back. “So, where were we?”
He held my hand. “Let me show you.”
He kissed me quickly before pulling me toward the hotel. I followed him without protest and wondered if we would stay the night. He hadn't told me to pack anything, but whatever his plans were, I was excited.
Tonight was going to be great. I could feel it.
***
Inside, the hotel was even more extravagant than the outside. There were high ceilings, a reception area with two women nestled between double staircases, statues of gold, and the tiles were spelled, their patterns swirling like paint every time I stepped on one.
Strangely though, there were no references to anything sailing or boat related.
“Mr. Wolffang, welcome,” a Satyr approached us, his horns so long they curved backward. “Welcome, Ms. Lopez. I’m Mr. Horton, Manager here at Golden Sailor. We’ve been awaiting your arrival. I hope your journey went smoothly?”
"It did," Dorian answered, and Mr. Horton bowed.
"Wonderful. If you’d follow me.”
He got to the point quickly, I thought, not that I minded. I was eager to see what Dorian had cooked up. As for those questions I told him I had, I thought of another. Why was the hotel manager greeting us personally and now acting as our personal guide?
Did Dorian's popularity extend this much? He was a Hunter and worked in the shadows, but who knew, maybe, his missions made him powerful friends over the years. I'd learn soon enough, but for now, we followed Mr. Horton past the left staircase and through a swinging door.
We entered a brightly lit lounge occupied by several people, and a circular bar was in the middle of the room.
As expected, we gained a few curious glances while walking by, and at the other end of the room, double doors were opened for us to a gold-tiled hallway and a decorated room at its end.
There was a table for two beside a glass wall, a sparkling pool and falls beyond it, and a sitting area in front of a screen covering the wall's expanse.
"Your server will be joining you shortly," Mr. Horton said. "If you'd like to access the pool, you're free to do so. There is a changing room with everything provided and the entrance to the pool."
He gestured to our left and a door beside a small bar.
