Page 53 of The Sisters
‘Fancy schmancy car, lady,’ said Frank as he got into the back seat, while the driver put an old duffel bag into the trunk.
‘Yes, it’s the company car, so don’t get too excited,’ lied Grace.
Frank sat back and opened everything and shut it again and Grace laughed. ‘You are so funny.’
‘Am I?’ asked Frank as he leaned back and kissed her.
Grace felt herself melt into his arms in the back of the car and she kissed him back shyly.
On the plane, they made small talk and pretended to talk business. She wondered if he would push for sex on the trip. She had only slept with a few men and this was after long relationships, except for one time but she never let herself think about that.
Frank was so much fun and so naughty and silly, she felt like a teenager with him. As the plane landed Frank stood up and took down their luggage that was stowed above them.
‘I’ve booked a hotel. I hope it’s OK,’ he said as they walked out towards the cabs.
Grace smiled brightly. ‘I’m sure it will be fine.’
‘And I booked two rooms in case you need your peace,’ he said as they piled into the back of a cab.
‘That’s very thoughtful of you,’ she said, smiling at him.
‘I’m good like that,’ he said, patting his own shoulder.
Grace laughed.
‘The Four Seasons Hotel,’ Frank told the driver.
‘The Four Seasons? But it’s so expensive,’ said Grace, her eyes widening.
‘It’s fine, I know the manager there,’ said Frank easily.
‘Really? So you know Calypso Gable, the pilot who got us first class tickets and now we are staying at a six star hotel, in two rooms in Beverly Hills because you know the manager.’ Grace folded her arms. ‘Fess up, buddy,’ she ordered.
Frank rubbed his head. ‘OK, I used to work in finance and I knew a few people and I stayed friendly with them.’
Grace pursed her lips. ‘I’m not sure I believe you,’ she said.
‘Well, I haven’t lied to you yet. I said I knew Calypso Gable and that was the truth. The rest you will just have to trust me on, I guess,’ he said, searching her face nervously.
Grace looked out the window at the bright sky, so different from New York. She wasn’t going to let anything spoil her trip and minor details about Frank and his connections could be discussed later.
‘All right, Mr Big Shot.’ She wound down the window and breathed in the air. ‘Ah, LA smog, there’s nothing like it is there?’ she said excitedly as Frank laughed at her.
Frank did indeed know the manager. ‘Hello, Mr Thurlow,’ he said when they walked in.
Frank took the man into a bear hug and whispered in his ear and the man laughed. ‘Frank, how are you?’
Grace looked at them oddly. Friends? Associates? Thurlow, Thurlow – where did she know that name?
‘Hello, I’m Grace,’ she said, putting out her hand to the manager.
‘Ken Sumpter. Let me know if you need anything, Ms…?’
Grace made a quick decision. ‘Blackwood. Grace Blackwood,’ she said, using her mother’s name. The last thing she wanted was to bring up her family name and spoil everything with Frank.
The manager took them up to the elevator and produced a magnetic key. He pressed the top floor.
‘I have taken the liberty of putting you in the Royal Suite. There are two bedrooms as requested and as I understand you are here on business, there is a sitting room and full Wi-Fi.’
