Page 33 of Bad Wolf

The very best thing to do would be to head on in and get my beautification on. I can buff and polish, and actually leave the conditioner in my hair while I do other things. I’ll have a pamper night and get myself ready to face him...in less than ten hours.

I park the car in a space right by the entrance. This section of the lot seems to be well-lit, and let’s face it, I’m in charge of the beast until I can hand it over to its rightful owner. A beast that’s worth more than I could ever save in a decade.

I get a few looks as I drag my luggage through the small lobby. There’s no doubt I look like a train wreck.

At least checking in is quick and painless, and after signing my name a few times, I’m given my key and directions on how to get to my room for the night.

The door opens on my fourth attempt with the swipe card, and all is as I’d hoped. It feels airy and spacious, even though to most it would just be a simple, standard hotel room.

After the apartments I’ve lived in over the last few years, this place looks like a palace.

I shrug off my jacket and because I’m jittery with a nervous energy I can’t shake, I decide to unpack my case, laying everything out, making doubly sure I’m organized for tomorrow.

The makeup I’ll need in the morning goes by the mirror over the desk. I hang up my outfit-ripped jeans, a tight-fitting sweater, and heeled boots. The sweater I found in a thrift store with original tags on. Not designer, but it’s made of the softest wool I’ve ever felt, and looks good with my biker jacket.

Then I dig through my potions and take my shampoo and conditioner into the bathroom, nipping back to my bag for my shower gel and razor, and get busy filling the tub.

I read the instructions on the face mask sheet I scored for fifty cents at CVS and add the hotel bath bubbles to the stream of hot water.

When I feel like the water level is at the very maximum it can be, I tentatively get in. I like it scorching, but it always takes me a second.

Once I am submerged though, it’s bliss, and the bathtub is big enough for me to stretch out. The bubbles give off a fruity, flowery scent and I check the half-empty bottle to see what it is.

Geranium, lavender, and sweet orange essential oils,don’t mind if I do.

I spy another one on the side and make a note to take it with me.

Since I have no book to read or music to play, I close my eyes and rest my head back, leaving the facemask to do its thing.

My mind fills with more and more memories the longer I soak, and I remember Knox running me baths when the Madden house was empty. Especially when I was suffering from PMS.

He had that trademark Madden chivalry down to a T. The kindness that boy showed me over the years made me feel cherished and loved, and it’s something I’ve craved ever since.

CHAPTEREIGHT

WREN

I tossedand turned all night willing myself to get some sleep, but as the soft light of dawn begins to seep through the gaps in the curtains, I allow myself to get out of bed.

The room is just light enough that I can find my way to the coffee maker, filling it to the two cup line with water I get from the tap in the bathroom.

The dreary day greets me when I open the curtains, and I send up a prayer the ominous murky, grey sky isn’t a warning of what’s to come.

I take the coffee I’ve added a Splenda packet to, and head back to the bed, plumping the plush pillows for support while I psych myself up for this final, much shorter drive.

I flip through the channels on the hotel TV finding the morning news and weather, listening out for anything that could hinder my journey.

When I’ve drained my mug, I hop out of bed for good, placing it back under the spout for a second, and plug in my ancient curling iron.

Old Faithful hasn’t let me down yet, and as the little red light starts to blink, I thank my lucky stars it’s still as reliable as ever.

As I make my way around my head, each section curls like a dream, the plates gliding through my hair without a snag or a kink, and it only adds to my excitement.

The miserable sky isn’t an omen, just a regular bleak morning for the location and time of year.

I can’t help thinking this might be where my luck changes. This is where I get my chance to make everything right.

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