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It’s not easy.
Our rooms turn out to be right next to each other. We find out when we sneak back into the lobby, after everyone heads back inside. The front desk lady gives us the keys, somehow remaining professional as she does. I know she’s not ignorant to our unclothed state, but she manages to keep a straight face the whole time when she says, “It should be on the second floor to your left.”
“Thanks,” I say, though my face is on fire. Luckily, we’re not caught by anyone except some of the hotel staff, who merely smile in welcome.
Finally, we end the walk of shame, but before I can bolt into my room, Maddox catches me by the arm.
“Wait,” he says.
I sigh and turn to him. “What now?”
“I meant what I said,” he says. “I’m in love with you, and I know you don’t believe me, but I’m going to prove it to you.”
His eyes shine with determination but I don’t let myself fall into his little game this time. I won’t let myself be deceived anymore. “Do whatever you want. I’m going to bed.”
He stares at me for a few more seconds, but then lets me go with a little smile.
“Get ready,” he says. “Because I’m not going to give up, Ava.”
I shake my head, then head into the room.
The next day of the conference brings about more networking. I wake up bright and early and head out of the room, going to have breakfast with Diana. Thankfully, she doesn’t make any comment about yesterday or where I disappeared to but there’s a secretive little smile on her lips that tells me that she noticed my prolonged absence.
I spot when Maddox shows up, looking deliciously casual in his polo shirt. He stands looking around for me, and I manage to hide away before he finds me.
The afternoon is more structured, with speeches by separate company CEOs on different issues in real estate. When it gets to Maddox, he gives a short talk highlighting the importance of maintaining strong client relationships.
“You can’t just be their agent,” he’s saying. “You’re their friend, their confidante. Their safe haven.” His eyes find me as he utters the last part. “Their everything.”
I blush. I know I’m not being delusional when I note that he glances at me at several points in his speech. It’s so bad that even Diana notices.
“Damn,” she murmurs. “He can’t get his eyes off you.”
I shrug. “There’s nothing between us. I mean, there was but…it’s not serious.”
She glances at me, then back at him. “That’s not the look a man gives when he’s not serious. Believe me, I should know.”
I laugh nervously to cover up and then notice that he’s looking at me again.
It doesn’t end there either.
He doesn’t try to find me that day, nor does he come to my room that night, but the next morning, I wake up to a single red flower at my doorstep. It’s attached to a note that saysThought of you when I saw this.The flower is still damp from the morning dew, like someone went out early to pick it. And while I’m surprised by the gesture, I’m more shocked that he went through all that trouble of picking a flower out for me. He feels more like the kind of guy who would order a bouquet of generic roses, not pick it.
Picking it seems too personal, too…romantic.
He never struck me as the romantic type.
I take the flower and can’t bring myself to throw it out, so I place it on my bedside table before I walk away.
As I’m walking out to the beach on the third day, I catch sight of Maddox’s blonde ex standing in the lobby next to her monogrammed suitcase. Her face is twisted in annoyance, and it darkens even more when she sees me. Neither of us says anything to each other, but her eyes tell me everything I need to know.
It’s not just the dirty look she gives me.
It’s something in her face, a hatred so pure that it frankly sends shivers down my spine. I know it’s probably because Maddox has been ignoring her for the rest of the trip, blatantly walking away anytime she tries to talk to him. The older gentleman she was with left the resort already, but she stayed, following Maddox around like a puppy dog.
There’s something not quite right with that girl, I can tell. Even if Maddox hadn’t told me she was obsessed with him, I would have known.
I look away as I continue back outside, but I can feel her gaze on my back.
