“Just a girl wanting a moment with her sister.” She slides her arm in mine and walks us to the bank of elevators. “How are you? Everything’s going good? I feel horrible that I haven’t been here. Or that I haven’t called much. I swear it’s been insane.”
“I’m good. The guys have been nothing but nice.” They’ve been my friends. A smile pulls at my lips as the realization hits. Theyarefriends. “Promise.”
“Good.” She lets out a sigh as we step onto the elevator and press the number for my floor. “I’m digging the new look by the way.”
“Oh, thanks.” I press my hands along the skirt of my dress. The elevator comes to a stop and as we step off I double check the room number on the paper envelope that holds my key. “I’m this way.” I point to the left. A few more steps and we’re stepping inside the room.
Lexi walks through, checking the bathroom and closet as I set my bag on the desk.
“What are you doing?” I ask when she opens and shuts the curtains.
“Sorry.” She shakes her head. “Habit. I always check the room when I check in.” At my confused stare, she continues. “You can’t be too careful, and there are some sick fucks in this world.” She glances around the room as if she wants to say more but doesn’t.
Silence hangs between us, an awkward reminder that while we are sisters we have a long way to bridge the years apart. I want to get there, and I think she does too, but it’ll take time.
“Well, I’m gonna turn in.”
She nods and glances around the room before meeting my stare. “You sure . . . you’ll be okay? I can stay here tonight.”
“That’s ridiculous, Lexi.” I let loose a chuckle. “You know Trent’s pacing your room this very minute.”
“That’s probably true.” She flashes a grin. “But he’s not the only person important to me and I . . . I don’t want you to feel alone.”
I always feel alone. But it’s nice to have someone who cares. “Lexi, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I really do. But you don’t need to babysit. I’m a grown woman. I’ll be just fine.” I glance around the room. It’s nicer than any place I’ve ever lived and this is just a hotel. I push her toward the door until she stands in the hall. “Now, go find your man. I’m going to take a long, hot shower, and then watch chick flicks until my eyes won’t stay open.”
“Thank you.” The tension in her face relaxes with an exhale. “Call if you need me. Good night, Opal. See you tomorrow.”
“Nighty-night,” I call after her. Something Grams always used to say, and with that little memory, my heart clenches. I miss Grams so much. I shut the door before Lexi discerns the sadness that rolls across my face. Squeezing my eyes shut to keep the threatening tears from escaping, I inhale a sharp breath and lock the deadbolt.
“Pull yourself together,” I mutter and walk over to my bag, retrieving a pair of clean underwear, camisole, and sleep shorts. I use the bathroom and change, but before I can remove my makeup, a knock at the door whips my head toward the sound. Lexi? Maybe she forgot something. I glance around the room and find nothing.
You can’t be too careful, and there are some sick fucks in this world.My sister’s warning sparks fear in my belly as I tiptoe toward the door. Another knock, this one more demanding moves my feet forward. I push up on my toes to glance out the peephole.
Leighton.
A rush of nerves, excitement, and the sudden need to brush my hair hit all at the sight of this man. I shake my head at those thoughts. He’s not interested in more than a friendship. That’s what I want, too. Only, if I really feel that way then why does a smile sneak its way onto my lips as I unlock the door and pull it open a few inches. “Hey.”
“I thought she’d never leave!” He bugs his eyes and settles one of his arms against the door frame.
“Who, Lexi?”
“Yeah.” His lips pull up on one side with his smirk.
I raise my eyebrows, wondering how long he was waiting. “You’ve been creeping outside my hotel room?”
“Yeah, but I’d rather be inside.” The low timbre of his voice floods my belly with butterflies. His eyes drop to my lips. “I’m a gentleman, so I’ll wait for an invitation.”
“Awfully sure of yourself, aren’t ya?” Lord, I lack experience in flirting, but I’m trying.
He shrugs, his eyes meeting mine. “I can’t help that I’m confident.”
“Might wanna work on the arrogance, though.” I roll my eyes but that damn smile is firmly planted in place. I pull the door wide open, moving with it to keep space between us. “Since you’re already here, you might as well come in.”
“Thank you.” He winks, strutting into my room and setting a brown paper sack on the dresser. “I come bearing gifts.”
“Oh?” I take a seat on the edge of the bed and fold my legs so I can wrap my arms around them.
He flashes a cheeky smile over his shoulder and then turns his back again to unload whatever’s inside. He spins, hiding whatever he brought, and with Leighton it’s hard to guess. I put nothing past him.
