Page 10 of The Problem with Princes
My stomach growlsand I quicken my pace, glancing over at the man standing behind the registration desk. I flash him a quick grin because what else do you do when someone catches you looking at them? He nods at me and returns the smile. “Good morning, Miss Martindale,” he practically yells across the lobby.
Uh, does he have to let everyone in the whole hotel know what my name is?
I frown slightly, but I dip my head in response. “Morning,” I mumble. How did he remember my name? There must be hundreds of people staying at the hotel and he remembersmyname? That’s creepy, right? It seems like more than just good customer service. But maybe I’m just projecting.
The man flicks his eyes to someone sitting in the lobby and nods in my direction. My heart trips a little and I have a desperate urge to turn around and see who he’s looking at. Is it MSG? Has the concierge totally sold me out? I don’t look. Instead, I keep my gaze focused straight ahead until I reach the café.
The elevator doors ding, and my heart speeds up. Not because I think that someone is coming for me out of the elevators. Or maybe I do. I’m not really sure what to think. Except that I’m regretting watching so many crime shows over the years. They are completely messing with my head.
I use the elevator sound as an excuse to turn around and look. I scan the lobby quickly, but no one looks familiar. Why didn’t I give in to my impulse to look when it happened? Had they left or had I just imagined the whole exchange with the concierge?
Texie waves and I grin, even as I continue to survey the area. She walks toward me. Although, if you have ever seen Texie walk, you would know that isn’t the right word. It is like saying Chris Hemsworth is cute orPride and Prejudiceis a good book. The description just doesn’t do the descriptee justice. It is the same with Texie. She doesn’t just walk, she sashays. Some might think that is not the right word because it implies an easy, nonchalant way. And in my case, they would be right. I imagine I look a bit like a drunk ostrich. But not Texie. For her, it is all one fluid motion.
She glides up next to me and stops. “Another maxi dress, Gee?” She frowns. “Wait, I’ve never seen that one before.” Her head falls to the side and her mouth pinches shut in a scowl. “Please, don’t tell me you bought another one here.”
My lips twitch and I look down at the front of me. “What’s wrong with it?” I lift one foot and wiggle it. “Look, you can even see my shins. Doesn’t that make you happy?”
She looks down at my legs. “Does it feel better with your burns?”
I nod.
She huffs out a breath. “Then I guess I can’t be too unhappy about it. Besides, it’s not like you’re here to meet a guy or anything.”
“Exactly.” I frown. “Hey, wait. Are you saying a guy won’t want to date me just because I’m wearing a maxi dress?”
Texie looks innocently at me. “I said nothing of the sort.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want someone that shallow anyway.” I lift my chin and turn away and quickly scan the lobby.
“Why do you keep doing that?” Texie follows my gaze.
“Doing what?” I feign ignorance.
“Looking around like you are trying to find someone.”
I scoff. “I’m not doing that. Who would I be looking for? I don’t know anyone here.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’re looking for Modern Ares.” She raises her brows.
“Um, no.” I roll my eyes. “Fine. I’ve watched enough crime shows to see how clueless most people are about their surroundings. I just want to be aware.” I still haven’t told her about the skateboard guy, orthe incident, as I’ve come to think of it. I haven’t even told her I saw Modern Ares again.
She looks around the lobby with squinted eyes and pushed out lips. “Actually, that isn’t your most terrible idea,” she says.
“Awe, thanks,” I give her a pert smile and bounce of my shoulders.
We turn toward the café entrance. But two large men step in front of us, blocking our path. I pull Texie back just before we both collide with them. I flash a quick smile and mumble an apology as Texie and I try to step around them. They step with us, not allowing us to move past.
We take a step back and Texie looks at me. “A lot of help your scanning did, Grace,” she mumbles.
The first one speaks in broken English. “Miss Martindale?”
I stare at him. How does he know my name? He looks like he could belong to the group of wrestlers that hung out with MA. But they only knew me as Grace Kelly.
The big guy glances over at the reception desk and motions to me with his eyes. The man behind the desk nods.
I scowl at him. What kind of hotel is this, anyway? Don’t they protect their guests’ identities at all? I make a mental note to ask for the manager once I have freed myself from this situation.
“Miss Martindale, if you will please follow me. My employer would like to have a word with you.”
