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Cheeks flushed, she eventually mutters, “I’m sorry.” It’s barely audible, and while I want her to say it again, this isn’t a power play.
I nod once and release her chin. “Goodnight, Leighton. I’ll text later tonight to figure out what time we’re leaving in the morning.”
I turn to leave, hoping things will be smoother for us now. Otherwise, I don’t want to think of the hours ahead of us, just the two of us on the road.
My room is at the other end of the hall, and while I walk that way, something my mother used to say springs to mind. When someone uses appalling behavior to keep people at a distance, it usually means one of two things.
One, sadly, they may simply be that way. A jerk.
Or something happened to them that makes them act out of fear. They push people away to make sure no one can hurt them, make sure people can’t do the same to them. Where Leighton Price is concerned, something tells me it’s the latter.
Once in my room, I shower, throw on a pair of shorts, and settle onto the bed. As I search online for take-out dinner options nearby, there’s a knock at the door.
Leighton stands in the hallway, expression sheepish. “Sorry to bother you. I just…” Her fingers intertwine as she shifts from one foot to the other. “I feel awful for the way I’ve treated you. Forget about this place.” She holds out a hand to signal the hotel. “I’m the nightmare.”
I laugh. “Nah, you aren’t all that bad. Only sometimes.”
“Wow. Don’t hold back. Tell me what you really think.” She smiles wryly and pauses for a beat. “I really am sorry.”
“Look, there’s no need for you to apologize again. You already did and I accepted. We’re all good.” I lean against the door and hesitate, not sure if I should let things end here or not. “Rather than have this conversation with you in the hallway, why don’t you come in?” Arm outstretched, I motion with my hand for her to enter my room, gesturing that she’s welcome. But she lingers, tentative and unsure. A little coaxing is needed. “I was going to order some food. We could eat together.”
“Um, okay. That would be nice.”
Once we order dinner, Leighton perches on the end of the bed, and I sit at the head, back against the wall.
I tuck a pillow behind my back. “You better eat some of the pizza. That’s why I got all the toppings you said you liked and their biggest pie.”
She snorts. “Sure. You got the largest pizza because of me. You forget I’ve seen you eat.” Smiling ruefully, she nods. “I will have a slice. Promise.”
“A slice? That isn’t going to fill you.”
“I’m having a salad too, and don’t forget about the tiramisu.”
“Ah, yeah. Our little indulgence. I hope it’s good.” I pat my stomach and ignore the hunger pangs.
She shifts to fully face me, expression more serious. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure. Ask away.”
“Why are you so kind?”
“Kind. What do you mean?”
“I haven’t been nice to you and at times…” She gets a far-off look and grimaces. “I’ve been difficult and you”—her gaze swings back my way—“you’ve been nothing but kind and patient. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you.”
Something warm and inviting expands inside my chest, and the urge to move propels me to scoot closer. I’m not sure what to do with this unexpected compliment from Leighton of all people.
Now closer to her, I wait until her eyes latch on to mine. “It doesn’t cost me anything to be kind, and hopefully if I’m kind to someone that might be having a crappy day, they may notice and reciprocate. Or it might make a difference to their day.”
“What? Sort of like you’re reaffirming there’s good in the world?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
She blushes and looks away. “I’m more than ashamed to say it’s taken me a while to notice. Or more like, I’ve noticed”—her eyes land on me again—“but didn’t know what to do with it. Like I said, I’m not used to kindness.”
“Well, that’s not something I want to hear.” I rub at my chest, an ache blooming there at the sadness in her voice. It’s hard to imagine the world she lives in where kindness is a rarity, or the kinds of people who surround her. “Hey, the good news is, you eventually got there.”
She tilts her head to one side, brow furrowed. “Got there?”
