Page 38 of Royally Knocked Up
He looked at her. “That’s a nice thing for you to think of,” he said. “It isn’t your responsibility to make sure my father isn’t thinking the worst of me — or to protect me from gossip.”
“I know it isn’t,” she said quietly. “I do care about you, though, Enzo. I do want the best for you.”
He nodded. “I know you do.”
“I’ll make the call myself,” she said. “I’m sure I can get them to cancel my arrangements.”
“Well, if you can’t, let me know,” he said. “Maybe we can figure out a way to get it canceled without me getting involved.”
She nodded. “I’ll let you know what happens.”
For a moment, he wondered if he had overstepped by making this arrangement for her — but truly, this hotel was the nicest in all of Luria, and it would be a mistake for her to miss out on it.
They made their way inside. Instantly, it was apparent that she could see what a luxurious place they were in. Her guard had been up from the moment they’d entered the city, but now it dropped and she relaxed visibly. She turned in a slow circle, taking in the lavish furnishings and the high ceilings.
“Well,” she said after a moment, “it isn’t as nice as La Fantasia, but I guess it will do.”
Enzo burst out laughing. “You’re too much sometimes, do you know that?”
“I am the exact right amount,” she countered. “And you are my biggest fan.”
That was probably true. He took her arm and led her over to the reception desk.
“I shouldn’t check you in,” he said. “I didn’t give my name when I made the reservation.”
“That was sensible of you.”
“I’ll wait over there,” he said, pointing to an armchair a few feet away.
Hailey nodded and released his arm, then walked over to the desk.
He watched her go. It was impossible to take his eyes off her. It was impossible not to feel a sense of pride at the fact that she was here with him. He wished he had the freedom to show her off to people. He wished he could walk up to the reception desk with her on his arm and let everyone know that they were together.
Had heeverfelt that way about a woman? If he had, he couldn’t remember when it might have been. He couldn’t remember a time when he had felt as if he was lucky to be with someone, instead of feeling that she was lucky to be with him.
He was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of her voice. “I know that’s what it says, but I’m telling you, it’s just — yes. That’s right. I don’t care. I don’t need it anymore. Yes.”
He frowned. What was wrong? Should he go over there and try to fix things for her?
No. She was turning away from the desk now, looking frustrated, but she had it under control, whatever it was. He didn’t need to involve himself in her business.
She walked over to him, and he rose to his feet. “You good?”
“I’m good,” she said.
“What was that? It sounded like the two of you were arguing.”
“It wasn’t really an argument. There was an issue with the reservation, that’s all. I got it straightened out.”
“An issue with the reservation?” He frowned. “Should I go speak to them?”
“You definitely shouldn’t, Enzo. I took care of it.”
“But I made that reservation. If there’s a problem, maybe I should set them straight.”
“I’m telling you, it isn’t necessary,” she said. She held up the little folder with the room key in it. “See? I’ve got my key, so I can go to my room and get settled in. If you go talk to them, the only thing that will happen is that you’ll make that poor receptionist feel bad, and I think she feels bad enough.”
Enzo frowned. He did want to do something. It felt like heshoulddo something. Didn’t he have a responsibility to Hailey? She said she had handled this issue on her own, but it was his city, and in a very real way, she was his guest.
