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Grogginess pulled at my limbs, and worry was now seeping into my bones. Without thinking I reached over and drank the last shot, needing to numb the dread consuming me.
“We’re not leaving you here alone and drunk. You’re coming with us,” Danny said. “We give you our word we won’t hurt you or go all serial killer on you, deal?”
I looked around at the now empty bar. I didn’t want to be here alone. Didn’t want to feel sorry for myself. So maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have some company during such a miserable storm. And sleeping in the airport wasn’t fun. I knew that from when I had flown stand-by last year and had to spend the night in the airport when I couldn’t get seats on any flights.
“Okay,” I finally said. “But I’m messaging my friend the hotel details and your full names and cell numbers.”
“Good.” Max was on his feet, and I followed him, my knees wobbly. I was actually going with strangers to their room. I sent a quick message to Myles with what I was doing. Figured if she said run, get out of there, then I really shouldn’t leave the airport.
My phone chimed in an instant with a response.
Yes! About freaking time. Did you use the no underwear line?
I rolled my eyes and tucked the phone into the back pocket of my jeans as I rushed up after my two new roommates.
We headed past the doors and toward Terminal 5. “Aren’t we catching a cab?” noting that the signs said ground transportation was in Terminal 4.
“Trains are easier especially since our hotel is in Union Square and near the train station,” Danny explained.
We sauntered slowly; my head still swam with alcohol. Maybe I shouldn’t have had that last shot. My mind felt numb like I was having an out of body experience as we walked toward the free shuttle that would take us to the train station.
I was lagging behind, so Danny took my hand. “Come on, sweetheart. I don’t want to lose you,” he said in the sweetest voice.
I looked up at him, swooning. “You’re so pretty, you know.” Had I just said that out loud or was it in my head?
He chuckled; his grasp tight against my hand. “Never been called pretty before, but I’ll take it.”
I glued myself to them for the rest of the trip to the hotel. Even on the train, they had me sitting between the two of them, while I pointed at everything and couldn’t stop laughing.
As we stepped off the train into the heart of Chicago, the whole street and buildings around us looked like a snow globe. The snow came down so thick, it reminded me of confetti. The streets were close to empty with only a few people rushing into stores or hotels. With Danny holding my hand tight, we ran out into the street. The winds lashed against me, and I squealed.
By the time we burst into the hotel foyer, I exhaled loudly. “The weather is insane.”
“I’ll be back.” Max strolled to the reception desk while Danny and I stayed with the bags.
“This place looks classy,” I murmured. It had a deep brown shiny floor, mirrors in gold frames lining the walls, all polished and almost glinting. There were flowers of every color in white vases in every corner, and there was a citrus vanilla smell in the air.
“How are you feeling?” Danny asked, drawing my attention to him. “Are you queasy or sick from the shots?”
I was shaking my head. “I feel like I’m flying,” I told him in a sing-song voice. Something drew my attention to the right and I swung around to see someone walking the fluffiest Pomeranian across the foyer. I was bouncing on my toes and rushed over. “Hey, little guy.”
The dog whipped around and exploded in a fury of barks. His fur bristled and he lunged at me, only held back by the leash.
I jerked backward, Danny at my back, an arm around my waist, catching me. “Whoa, that little guy is like Cujo.”
The woman walking her pooch swooped him into her arms, glaring at me, before heading down a hallway.
“Did he get you?” Danny asked, turning me to face him by my shoulders. There was a tenderness in his gaze I hadn’t expected.
I spun to Danny. “Did you see the filthy look she gave me?”
Danny just nodded and gave a soft laugh.
Max returned, running a hand through his blonde hair. “Saw you upsetting that dog,” he joked.
“Me,” I feigned shock, pressing a hand to my chest and lurching on my feet before Danny caught me. “He was a vicious little thing.”
“Sure he was,” Max mocked me. “Let’s go, our room is ready.”
