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"No, no. I'll wait," he said with a smile. "We can continue the conversation when you're back."
Holy shit.I had to figure something out when I returned, because he wasn’t going to get my subtle hints.
I went to Thomas with quick steps, trying to look like a woman preparing herself to solve a crisis.
When I reached him, I said, "I need a strong drink, please."
"Guy won't budge, huh?" Thomas asked, snickering at my distress.
"Nope. This is the fourth emergency I’m faking. I should tell him a pipe burst somewhere in the basement and I have to go oversee the repairs myself."
"That sounds far-fetched," Thomas said.
"I know. I just can't come up with something better right now, and I hate being rude."
I heard a chuckle from somewhere beside me. Apparently a customer who was eavesdropping and probably having the time of his life. Whatever. I was certain that when I thought back to this night, I’d laugh with my sister about it, but right now I was just trying to end it.
"Why did you even agree to date him in the first place?” Thomas asked.
“You know how things are when you connect online. You can't tell if you'll click with the person or not until you see them face-to-face. Should have gone with my gut.” Then it dawned on me. “Oh, I know what I can tell him. We have an emergency in the supply room, and I have to go in the back and deal with it, and it'll take the rest of the evening."
Thomas cocked a brow as he handed me my drink.
"He'll probably still want to wait for you, or, even better, he'll come back with you and help you fix it."
"Doubtful.” I grinned. "He's been telling me about data analysis and animal migration. Only way he’d help is by putting everyone to sleep."
"Pardon my French, but just tell him to fuck off," Thomas said, making me laugh. "You have no problem telling people off."
"That's right, I don't. But he seems so... I don't know, into it. And so naive. I mean, he probably thinks I'm having a good time, which is insane."
True, I had no problem telling people off, but also, I didn’t like hurting people for no reason. Patrick probably wasn't a bad guy. He just wasn't my type. I needed to let him down gently, but I just wasn't sure how.
"Okay. I’m going to go forward with my original plumbing excuse. Fingers crossed that it works."
I heard another chuckle as I headed to the table. I wanted to turn back and give the eavesdropping asshole a piece of my mind, but they were a customer, and that wouldn’t be acceptable behavior on my part. Even if itwasrude of them to listen in on someone else’s conversation.
"Everything okay?" Patrick asked with a polite smile as he took a sip from his drink.
"Actually, no. Tom got some news from downstairs. The technical team says we have a pipe problem."
"Oh, what exactly happened? Maybe I could help."
Well, damn. Tom was right."No, I wouldn't want to keep you from anything. And there’s legal liabilities and all that, so it's best if we call it a night and—”
"Nonsense, I'll wait here for you. It can't take that long. After all, it's not like you'll fix it yourself. I'm assuming professionals will come and handle it."
"Yes," I replied, choosing my next words carefully, “but I want to supervise them while they repair it. I'm responsible for the comings and goings in this hotel. I'm going to—"
My mouth fell open as a man came over to us and sat in the third chair at the table. Drake DuGray.What is he doing here?
"Hi," he said, looking straight at me. "Kimberly Maxwell, right?"
"Yes," I said, confused. He knew who I was, so why would he ask me that? Then he turned to Patrick. "And you must be date number one. I’m her second date for the evening, so it's time for you to take a hike, buddy."
Patrick's eyes bulged almost comically. "You're what?" he sputtered, looking from me to him. I was too shocked to say anything. "You have another date in the same evening?"
Completely taken aback by Drake’s interruption, I tried to think of something to say. "Patrick, I should—"
