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“I think we might be a little underdressed,” Ainsley points out as we get closer to the hotel. “I mean, if this is a fancy hotel, worn-out sneakers and old jeans might be noticeable.” Before I can agree with her, she continues. “On the other hand, vintage is totally hot right now. So as long as we act like we belong there, we should be good.”
“If you say so.” It's too late to turn around since we’ve reached the entrance. Ainsley pushes open the large door, and we walk into the lobby together.
The place is just as I remembered. Good. At least I’m not going crazy after all.
Ainsley walks toward the seating area on the right with nothing but confidence. I follow her closely, but my eyes keep bouncing over to the registration, where the receptionist is staring at us suspiciously. He squints his eyes at me. It’s the same guy from when I was here the other day, and I’m pretty sure he remembers me.
Crap.
Now there’s only one thing left to do. Follow Ainsley’s lead and act like I belong here. I straighten my spine, puff my chest, and put one foot in front of the other.
I let my body sink into the plush leather seat. Crossing my legs, I lean back and try my best to look relaxed. Or at least not as tense as I really am.
“Wow, that picture online didn’t do it justice.” Ainsley looks around like a kid in a candy shop. “Oooh, here comes a server. I bet they have super fancy cocktails here.”
“Yeah, cocktails we can’t afford,” I say under my breath as a woman in a pencil skirt suit walks up to us, her high heels clicking against the tile floor.
“Hello, ladies,” she greets us with a friendly smile. “I’m afraid this establishment is for members only. I have to ask you to leave.”
“Excuse me?” Ainsley flips her hair back like she’s outraged. “It’s not my fault I have never received an invite for the membership. My family is one of the most influential families in the state, and I’ve never been turned down at any establishment before.” She speaks with such confidence, even I believe it.
The server, who I think is no server at all, doesn’t seem fazed. Her megawatt smile remains plastered on her face. “My apologies. We are currently at full capacity, but I can assure you if a spot opens up, we will reach out to you about a membership. However, right now, you will have to leave.”
“We have an appointment with Mr. Grant,” Ainsley blurts out, making me almost choke on my own spit.
“Is that so?” Pencil skirt lady raises one eyebrow.
“Yes, it is so, and we both know Mr. Grant doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Now scurry along and tell him we’re here.” Ainsley dismisses her like she’s sitting on a throne, and the woman in front of her is nothing but a peasant.
“I see,” she responds. She spins around and walks away in the same direction she came from.
I turn to Ainsley and scowl at her. “Are you crazy? Wait, don’t answer that. I already know you are. Although, this might be a new kind of crazy.”
“I hate to say this, but I actually agree with Jase for once. You need to chill out a bit. Don’t tell him I said that, though.”
“What if she calls him? And he asks us to come upstairs. Then what?”
“Then I get to see what he looks like.”
Sometimes I just want to slap her, and this is one of those times.
“Oh my God, is that him?” Ainsley looks at something—or someone—behind me. “Oh my, you didn’t tell me he was that hot!” If it wasn’t for the flustered look on her face, I would think she’s joking. But her wide eyes, red cheeks, and slightly open mouth make it all too real.
“Ms. Bennett?” His deep, rumbling voice startles me. He is way closer than I expected him to be.
Sitting up a little straighter, I try to swallow past the giant lump in my throat, but my tongue getting stuck to the roof of my mouth is all that happens. I sit perfectly still, looking straight ahead at Ainsley. As if ignoring him will just make him go away.
He moves out of my peripheral vision into my line of sight, making it impossible to pretend he isn’t there anymore. “Oh, hi,” I say with an awkward smile, giving him an even more awkward wave. Who waves at somebody who’s standing right in front of them?
“I’m afraid I wasn’t aware we had an appointment today… or any other day.” He adds the last part with a hint of annoyance in his voice. Today, he’s wearing a suit again. “As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember telling you not to come back here.”
My mouth opens, but no words come out. Not because my mouth is dry but because I don’t know what to say. I sit there with my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, hoping for a freak earthquake to crack the floor wide open and the earth to swallow me.
“Actually, it’s me you have an appointment with.” Ainsley to the fucking rescue. “I was recently made aware of the mistake you made by not inviting me to be a member here. See my family—”
“Cut the crap, Ainsley,” Mason orders, achieving something that very few people before him have managed, making Ainsley speechless.
“How did you know her name?” I manage to say.
