AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well then, maybe I just won’t be going.”
Gwen did it again. She turned, exited the hotel room, and left me alone. The emotional roller coaster she had me on was exhausting. We had a cat to re-home, a plane to catch, and now she was going to play more games. It was infuriating. I tried to find her, but the hotel front desk told me she had taken off, and headed for the street.
Two hours later, I had yet to find her. I was worried and left with no choice but to reschedule our flight for later. I was going to wring her neck when I found her, and she would never again run off on me. On a hunch, I called a few of the local animal rescues.
“Yes, the woman in the black business suit and heels is sitting in our meet and greet room. She turned over the cat, but she doesn't seem to want to leave.” A soft-spoken woman gave me the news I so desperately wanted.
“Okay, don’t let her go. She’s not a mental patient or anything, I can assure you, but she just really loves animals.” I drove through the busy streets of New York City, headed for the animal rescue.
The woman laughed. “We understand, we are all animal lovers. She’s fine, take your time.”
When I showed up, I found her holding a cute black cat in her arms. It blended so easily with her suit; I almost didn't see it.
“Hey.” I sat down across from her.
Gwen smiled. “Sorry I ran off on you like that. You just don’t understand how much I love animals. I should have become a veterinarian. It was always my passion as a child.”
“You still can.”
I had no clue where all this was coming from, but I realized I didn't care. As long as she was okay, all would be good. It was an odd mix of concern and confusion.
“Listen, they have cats in California too.”
She laughed. “I know. I’m sorry about the flight.”
“I got another one for us tomorrow.”
She laughed again, but her eyes were tender as she looked at me. “Why are you so consumed with getting me to come with you?”
Her question caught me off guard, but I tried to answer as clearly as possible. “I don’t know. I was wondering the same thing.”
Gently, Gwen handed the cat to a woman who came into the room. “I guess we should go, but I’m terrified of flying. I should have told you this before.”
I didn't ask for more, but simply took her hand and walked out after offering a generous donation of five thousand dollars in her name.
“That was nice of you.” She climbed into the car when I opened the door.
I played chicken with the crazy traffic and eventually got in on the driver's side. “Yes, but I did it for you. Don’t be scared. I’m with you, and the flight is going to be okay. I promise you; they do have cats in California.”
I was happy to make her laugh and smile. “You know, I should have fired you the moment I met you. You are going to be the death of me, princess.”
I spoke the truth from my heart as I felt it at that moment.
Gwen cracked up. “Maybe so.”
Thankfully, the Made Hotel was able to give us yet another room. They probably thought I was nuts. I felt the need to explain and vaguely mention an emergency that kept us in town longer. Fortunately, the front desk staff was more than happy to accommodate.
When we walked to the elevator, I had to laugh. “You know, I hate lying to people.”
“Me too. You could have just told them I’m crazy and forced you to have sex with me again, so we need the room for one more night.” Gwen laughed.
“Well, is that what you're going to do?” My shaft was hard hearing those words roll off her lips. She had my full attention, and every muscle in my body was on alert.
“Maybe, but I’m hungry.”
I took Gwen out for dinner, and after I wanted to have some drinks. Gwen needed to loosen up. She always seemed stressed, and if we were going to work together, she would need to relax. The last thing I needed was for her to be stressed if she thought she was going to change her mind again about us winding up in bed together.
“Where are we going?”
