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CHAPTER ONE
Penny Reynolds sucked in a deep breath, tapping her foot agitatedly, as she stood in full public view, arguing with the receptionist. She already felt decidedly out of place in the swanky spa hotel where her mother had insisted on sending her as a Christmas gift.
A gift she hadn’t been able to get out of since the spa break had started today, Boxing Day, right through to the new year, and it was too late to cancel and get a refund. Not only that, but her mother had insisted on driving her here, too. So here she was, booked in for a week and with no vehicle to make a sneaky getaway even though she was actually less than ten miles from home.
She never argued, never. But this was beyond ridiculous.
“Look, I. Am. A. Guest,” she enunciated clearly. “You know that because I’ve just booked in. How can you stand there and tell me that there are no tables available for an evening meal?”
The receptionist shrugged. “It’s Boxing Day, we’re fully booked. You should have reserved a table in advance.”
“And how exactly was I supposed to do that?” she asked. “This break was a surprise gift which I got for Christmas. Yesterday.”
The receptionist just shrugged. “Sorry, ma’am, I can’t help you.”
Penny just stood and looked at the young man, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open. “Seriously? That’s it? You’re just going to brush me aside?”
She gritted her teeth and blinked against the tears that prickled at the back of her eyes. That was the story of her life after all. She should be used to it by now. Today, though, she was determined to stand her ground.
The receptionist stared at her, like he, too, was surprised she was still there. If she wasn’t starving, she might have just slunk away and left it, but damn it her stomach was rumbling so loud she was surprised the other guests couldn’t hear it.
“I could see if I can get a reservation elsewhere,” he hedged.
“There are no taxis available,” Penny informed him. She knew, she’d already tried to book one to take her home. She sighed. This was getting her nowhere. “I guess I’ll just make do with room service.”
The receptionist did at least have the grace to look slightly embarrassed when he delivered his next bombshell. “Er, well, we’re, um, not actually offering room service this evening. The kitchen is too busy with the evening meal.”
Penny just looked at him, dumbstruck. “Seriously?” she finally managed. “What kind of establishment are you running here that you risk having paying guests going hungry on the day they arrive? Perhaps I should just talk to the manager.”
“I’m afraid Mr. Humphries is currently dining, Ma’am.”
As timid as she normally was, Penny actually slapped both her hands down on the reception desk. “What, here?” Her eyebrows disappeared into her overlong bangs; she was so stunned. How could she have forgotten the obnoxious Brad Humphries was the manager and his father’s hotel?
“Yes, Ma’am,” He coloured slightly and looked away.
“So, your dining room can accommodate the staff, but not the guests, is that what you’re telling me?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “Who’s covering for him, while he’s…indisposed?”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear your complaint when he’s finished his meal,” the lad hedged, without giving a straight answer.
“And what about before then?” Penny folded her arms across her chest and resumed the tapping of her foot, her lips pressed together in annoyance. She didn’t want to have to deal with the jock who had tormented her in high school.
“Well, um, I’ve been instructed not to disturb him before he’s done. It’s ah…a business dinner!” The receptionist’s eyes lit in bright relief. “Yes, the hotel has been bought out by a nationwide chain and Mr. Humphries is obviously very busy dealing with the new owners.”
Well, I hope Brad's doing a good job at the schmoozing,” Penny snorted, referring to the jock she’d been in school with. “Because as first impressions go, you really won’t be winning any goodwill with this kind of service.”
“An excellent observation,” a deep, velvety voice, the kind that gave a girl goosebumps, rumbled from behind her. “Perhaps Ms. Reynolds can be added to my table, Leon?”
Penny whirled around at the surprising mention of her name.
She was confronted with a chest. A very wide chest, even if it did happen to be covered up with a pristine dove gray silk shirt. She looked up, and then up some more until she finally saw his face. A strong, chiseled jaw, full lips that made her wonder if they’d feel as soft as they looked, a straight, aquiline nose and rich brown hair that curled just a little long over his collar.
He looked almost familiar, but not quite…until she got to the eyes. Never in a million years would she ever forget those eyes. Intelligent, expressive brown eyes with lashes that any girl would envy. Although she was more accustomed to seeing them framed behind thick, black-framed glasses.
Penny sucked in a breath and her mouth dropped open. “Josh?” she whispered, her voice was choked as happiness and excitement bubbled within her chest. “Is that really you?”
The smile that split his face was also familiar and Penny didn’t think twice before throwing herself into his arms and hugging him tight. God, he smelled divine and she could feel the hardness of his muscular chest beneath the fabric of his shirt.
The sound of a voice clearing behind them had Penny suddenly self-conscious and she swiftly untangled herself and drew away. “Sorry.” She cleared her throat and dipped her head. “That was probably inappropriate. Excuse me.”
