Page 13 of Take the Wheel

Ari handed the receptionist her card. ‘I’m just being considerate,’ she said, keeping the tone light. ‘You’ll feel better once you see the room.’

Nancy rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. She wastryingnot to be swayed by Ari’s constant stream of sweetness, and Ari could see it, but she wasn’t giving up.

‘OK if I come and check out the room? Make sure it’s what I paid for?’ Ari asked.

Nancy shrugged. ‘Sure. Fine.’

***

The room was sleek and stylish. The bed was massive and soft, the kind you could lose yourself in. The bathroom, too, looked like it could’ve been straight out of a magazine, all marble and chrome, with a soaking tub that could fit a five-a-side football team in easily.

Ari turned to look at Nancy, expecting a reaction. She wasn’t disappointed.

Nancy was standing near the window, arms crossed, staring out at the city, her expression unreadable. ‘Good god,’ she said simply.

‘This is a thank you because I’m grateful,’ Ari said, walking over to her, making sure her voice was soft. ‘This wedding is a lot of pressure, and I—’

‘Stop buttering me up,’ Nancy said firmly, turning to her.

Ari couldn’t help but laugh lightly because it wasn’t the first time she’d heard that from Nancy, and it wouldn’t be the last. ‘I’m not buttering you up. I’m being nice.’

‘Mm-hmm,’ Nancy said, clearly unconvinced.

‘Fine,’ Ari said, throwing up her hands in mock surrender. ‘I’ll stop. Just promise me you’ll use that bath. I’m sure you could do with a soak with all that driving.’

Nancy sighed. ‘Wouldn’t hate a soak,’ she admitted. ‘What room are you in, by the way?’

‘Oh, some broom cupboard down the hall. It was all they had left.’

Nancy tutted. ‘I feel weird about that.’

Ari had to admit, maybe she was pushing it. Because she needed more than a date for the wedding. But if all went well, Nancy would never know Ari’s true intentions at this god-forsaken bash.

‘A table is booked downstairs,’ Ari said, changing the subject.

Nancy raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re taking me to dinner?’

Ari tilted her head to the side, a cheeky smile on her lips. ‘We have to eat.’

‘Stop it,’ Nancy muttered. But Ari caught the briefest flicker of a smile on Nancy’s face.

‘Fine, fine,’ Ari said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. ‘No more buttering you up.’ She grinned and walked toward the door. ‘But dinner’s still happening.’

Nancy sighed, but Ari could tell she wasn’t completely annoyed. She was starting to soften, just a little, and Ari could work with that.

Twelve

Nancy wasn’t exactly sure what she’d gotten herself into.

As Ari led her through the hotel’s elegant corridors to the restaurant, Nancy couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking into something a little beyond her. The chandelier that hung over the dining area seemed to glow a little too brightly, and the crisp white linens on each table made her feel like she was in one of those fancy magazines she’d never bought.

The maître d’ led them to a table by the window, and Ari settled herself into the plush chair like it was no big deal, her bright, confident smile never faltering.

Nancy sat down more slowly, acutely aware of the difference between the two of them. Ari looked like she belonged in rooms like this. Nancy was only ever in them to collect Ari.

The waiter handed them the menus, and Ari flicked hers open with a flourish. ‘Right,’ she said with a grin, glancing at Nancy. ‘You’re going to want the foie grasandthe lobster. Trust me on this one.’

Nancy froze. ‘I… what?’

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