Page 64 of Sunset Cove
Claire clicked around on the computer, finding what she needed. “We have two side-by-side rooms available.”
“What floor are they on?”
She pretended to look at the screen, though she knew exactly where she was going to put them. “The third floor.”
“I’m afraid of heights,” Agent McCoy said. “What about the second floor?”
She nodded, clicking through again. “We have two rooms across the hall from each other.”
He shook his head. “Actually, first floor might be best.”
“All booked up, I’m afraid,” she said, stare unbroken. “Second floor, then?”
He pulled out his wallet and slid a credit card across the desk. “Please.”
She managed to complete the booking without any help. It was her first time doing it start to finish, but her pride was overshadowed by the gravity of the situation.
Once she handed them their room keys, they walked off and got onto the elevator.
“Thanks Addie,” Claire said, flashing a smile. “Let me know if they have any other issues.”
Addie nodded. “Of course!”
For some reason, Claire found it impossible to look Chip in the eye. She started walking down the hall, calling out, “Sorry, I’d better get back.”
“Actually,” Chip said, gently catching her on the shoulder. “Can I talk to you in my office for a minute?”
Butterflies again. Maybe she could tell him. Maybe he already knew?
“Sure,” she said weakly.
She walked ahead this time, waiting as he unlocked the door, then going in and standing near his desk.
“What was that about?” he asked, closing the door behind him.
Claire shook her head. “It’s a misunderstanding.”
“I would like to understand,” Chip said, voice low. “You need to start telling me things.”
“I can’t,” she said, almost in a whisper. “Not yet at least. I want to, but…”
“Then tellme why that guy looked like he was ready to pounce on you.”
She let out a sigh. “He’s just a jerk. I guess he’s the mean one. Agent Alvarez is a much better listener.”
Chip sat down, rubbing his face in his hands. “Can you at least tell me who is staying in room 106?”
Claire had to unclench her jaw. “Lucy is staying there, Chip. You know that.”
He shook his head. “Don’t lie to me, Claire. Please don’t lie to me.”
Her heart sank. Even she hadn’t believed that last one. Her voice was weak. No, her entire delivery was weak. She hated the way he was looking at her. She wanted his warm smile, his deep laugh. She needed him to forgive her.
“Please, if you just give me some time, it’ll make sense.”
He studied her for a moment. “Come on, Claire. I believed in you. I believed you when you told me that we were partners, and that we were working together. I thought I could trust you.”
“You can, I just –”
“Can I?” He stopped himself, letting out a heavy breath. “I feel like you’re hiding something. And we’ve got the FBI poking around the hotel. I mean – what’s going on?”
Claire felt like she was on the brink of tears. Everything was falling apart around her.
Still, she couldn’t cry in front of him. She squeaked out an “I’m sorry, Chip,” before pulling the office door open and rushing back to room 106.
