Page 20 of Pour Decisions
I avoid the valet parking when I get to the hotel. Choosing instead to self park in the main lot. Mostly because I don’t want to run into anyone at the front of the hotel, namely Barbara or Michael. This way I can sneak in a side entrance. I already know Riggs' room number so I can bypass the lobby.
A well-dressed couple is waiting at the elevator bay when I walk up. The man stands behind the woman with his arms around her waist as he nuzzles her neck. The up arrow lights green and the bell dings as the doors open. The man gestures for me to step on before them. I nod in acknowledgement and make my way to the far corder of the car.
“Twelve, please,” I tell the man after he picks the nine button. He selects twelve as well before stepping back beside the woman. She turns and buries her face in his chest with a sigh. He wraps his arms around her and closes his eyes as he breathes in the scent of her hair.
I feel a pang in my chest at their actions. Part wanting, part jealousy, part annoyance. I mean, I want to be in a relationship, I’m human. And obviously I’d want it to be with someone like Riggs, who I’m attracted to and enjoy spending time with and more importantly, who is attracted to me. But really, do we all need to see how happy you are together while in the elevator, for God’s sake?
The car stops at the ninth floor and the woman smiles at me as they exit. I return her gesture and watch the two retreat down the hall as the doors close. My heart pounds faster, my breath becoming shallow. I turn to inspect my appearance in the mirrored wall. The difference between tonight and the other morning is drastic. Hell, the difference between tonight and the way I looked this morning when he stopped by the house is drastic.
I take a deep breath and square my shoulders, as I repeat to myself, “It’s just a guy. You’re here to apologize. No big deal. No reason to be nervous.”
I find myself at the door to his room and slowly raise my hand to knock.
“Back for more?” a voice sounding strangely like Blondie’s says from behind me. Where the hell did she come from? I turn, and sure enough there she stands, a smirk on her face.
“Weren’t you already disqualified? It’s not going to help to sleep with him again.” Her arms cross over her chest and she tilts one hip out, foot tapping, like she’s posing and waiting at the same time.
“How do you know I was disqualified?”
She waves a hand in the air. “Everyone knows by now. I made sure of it.”
“Why would you do that? You don’t even know me?”
“You can’t just sleep your way to success. Hardworking people like Michael get cheated out of what they deserve when that happens.”
“I didn’t try to sleep my way to anywhere. I didn’t know Riggs was a judge when I slept with him.”
“Oh, please.” Her eyes roll.
“Look, I don’t care if you believe me or not. I know the truth and Riggs knows the truth.”
“Yes, he does.”
I don’t like the look on her face when she says that. “What does that mean?”
“He knows you slept with him to win.”
“He doesn’t think that.”
“Doesn’t he?”
I have to wonder; does he think I slept with him to win? I didn’t get that impression this morning, that’s for sure. Plus, he approached me, not the other way around.
I scoff. “That’s not the way it happened, and he knows it.”
She looks at me, one brow cocked.
“We’ll just ask him.” I turn and knock on his door then step to the side, bracing myself for when he opens the door. Because once that happens, I have to see him again. And once I see him again, I have to deal with the feelings that invokes. Plus, I have to apologize for my behavior this morning. The last thing I want is Blondie sticking around for that.
I raise my hand to knock again.
“He’s not there,” Blondie says.
“How would you know?”
“Because he checked out after the reception started and left to go back home.”
Not sure if I should believe her or not, I try knocking one more time, then step back to wait.
