“Ah, well then. We have a lot of catching up to do. I’m pretty sure if we put our heads together, we can thoroughly embarrass them.” He winks at me and takes my elbow, before dropping enough cash for both of us on the table. “Steven had an unnatural love of glue. I’d hoped he’d have aspirations to take over the company that makes sticky-notes when he grew up.”
I laugh a little. “It must have been a disappointment to see him become a pediatrician.”
“Indeed. Come on. Let’s see if we can get Satan’s Spawn to let us check in. If she refuses, you should go sit on that big white chaise in the center of the lobby. I bet they’ll change their mind about that four o’clock policy.”
CHAPTER 4
Deegan is right. My room isn’t ready until I say I am happy to wait and walk over to the little white couch. At that point, Spawny magically appears, room key in hand, and tosses my ass out of the lobby.
Deegan walks me to my room, helping me carry my bags and gear. After unlocking the door and tossing everything on the bed, he smiles at me. “Later, I will buy you a drink—or five—to make up for this.”
His attention feels nice. Life has been too crazy to flirt with anyone in a long time. I smile crookedly. “I was the idiot who knocked your table over.”
“I know, which is why it’s horrible that I am still pristine and you are not.” He winks at me and leaves before I can blush.
What a horrible how-we-met story. Mom, this is Deegan. I grabbed his package at the sidewalk bistro down the street. It was good for both of us, until the food fell on my face. Oh, God. In a split-second decision, I grab the doorknob and yank it open. “Deegan?” I poke my head out and see him waiting for the elevator.
He looks back at me. “Did you forget something?”
“Yeah, can we not tell anyone how we met?”
He smiles. “Ah, your mother doesn’t know she’s a Sith Lord?”
“Uh, she’s evil incarnate, but no—not that. I mean, let’s just say we met at check-in and leave everything else out.” Meaning I’d rather not recap the fact that I’ve felt him up, uh, down in his nether regions.
He grins wickedly, but nods. “Of course. I’ll see you later.” He disappears into the elevator and I slip back into my room.
CHAPTER 5
Alone at last, and it’s still half an hour before check-in. I have enough time to shower and get ready for tonight. Sophie is having a special dinner this evening for the wedding party and her closest relatives. It should be a week of fun with a camera strapped to my face—which is fine with me because I love shooting. Sophie and Steven will get married over the weekend and the guests will hang out for a few more days, because who wouldn’t want to stay here? The place is beautiful, minus the demon at reception. Well, I think it’s beautiful, but I bet Mom won’t. We don’t really get along very well.
My mother nearly had a stroke when I told her that I wouldn’t be attending college. My brother and sister, both of whom are at least a decade older than me and perfect in every way, attended college. They were two perfect children, bestowed upon my darling parents from glorious angels above.
Blah, blah, puke. Seriously. You can’t imagine what holidays are like at my parents’ house. According to her, I’m obviously from the ‘other side of heaven’s tracks.’ I love her, but we seriously don’t see eye-to-eye—on anything. It’s like, she got every parent’s dream in kids one and two, so God thought it would be hysterical to throw Baby Oops at them a decade or so later, just to mix things up. Perfection comes in many shapes and sizes, but, to my mother, I’m not even close.
The perfect daughter would have a ring on her finger and be finishing college, while making arrangements for Barbie’s dream summer wedding. I’m not that kid and Hell will have to freeze over before I let some douche put a ring on my finger. I may be mental, but after being up close and personal with the wedding industry for this long, I’ve seen things. Most couples get married because it’s time, not because they’re in love. They might have money issues, parental pressure, or they’re simply tired of being alone—so they pick Mr. Good Enough and tie the knot.
That won’t be me.
I head into the bathroom and turn on the shower, letting the tiny room get good and steamy before I shuck my clothes and get in. I sigh deeply and stand there, letting the water wash my troubles down the drain. If only life were this simple. I’d never leave the bathroom. I’m pretty sure if I put a fridge next to the tub, I could live in here. I’m half water rat, anyway.