The other girl elbows her out of the way. “Shh, Libby, he’s obviously married.”
Obviously.Wait.What?
I shake my head. “Look, we’ve changed our minds on the room, we won’t be staying the night after all.”
The other woman nods but Libby gives me an eerie smile. “I could have saved you the heartbreak, Vegas weddings never last.”
Vegas weddings? What is happening right now?
I choose not to respond to that odd statement and turn away from the desk.
My body locks up as soon as I spot him. Sean?
“There you are.” Sean grins.
What is he doing here? More importantly, “How did you find me?”
“Technology makes these things incredibly easy.” Sean gives the girls behind the desk a wave and I’m pretty sure one of them calls dibs.
“You tracked my phone?” I growl.
“I came to take you back with me. You clearly haven’t made it far. And you’re wearing pink…wait, what’s that? Why does your shirt say you’re married?”
“Huh?”
I glance down. The blood rushes to my face. So that’s why Karli was being weird about me looking in the mirror. I’m going to kill her. Or kiss her, depending on how this goes.
“Yep. I got married. In Vegas. You were right, Vegas is a hoot. I hope you find someone as wonderful as I did.”
“Okay, we both know you’re lying. You probably just picked it up at a gift shop or had to borrow it from someone. You can get new clothes at the hotel. I got us tickets for this awesome–”
“Stop.” I turn and stalk away from him, but he follows me. I whirl on him. “You know, I felt bad about the way I treated you. I almost called you earlier to apologize, but you just don’t get it, do you? The world doesn’t bend to your will. And neither do I. I’m not your little sidekick anymore.”
He scoffs, hiding behind his classic smirk. “I never said you were little.”
He’s still not taking me seriously. He doesn’t take anything seriously, and I quit trying. “Sean, I need a break. From you.”
The agony in his eyes is palpable. It’s like I can feel it in my own heart. Of all the things I could have said to him, this is the worst.
But I can’t take it back because it’s the truth. I love my brother, but right now I need some space. “I’ll see you at home in a few days. Have fun.”
He presses his lips into a line. “Okay, fine. Have it your way. You’re going to miss out.”
I couldn’t care less. I have never felt more like myself than I have with Karli. I’d be missing out on so much more if I left her.
“I hear you need a sidekick.” Libby approaches Sean. “Lucky for you, my shift just ended and I’m loads of fun.”
Sean smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You got the job.”
I shake my head as I watch him leave with a woman he doesn’t even know. What will it take to make him finally wake up?
I can’t be his sidekick anymore; I also can’t be his conscience.
I head back to the room, turning off my location on the way so he can’t track me down again.
I open the door just as Karli steps out of the bathroom in a shirt that matches mine, and leggings, a flowery scent drifting out behind her. My mind conjures up images of pushing her up against a wall again and running my lips along her smooth cheek.
“Did you eat?” she asks, wringing her hair out.
