The lobby was empty except for one lone security guard, a big dark-haired guy named Gus, who was sitting behind the reception desk. As I moved forward, Gus gave me a wary look and got to his feet.
Gus and I – we'd always been on good terms, but you'd never know it from looking at his face now. With a frown, he asked, "What areyoudoing here?"
Well, that was rich.To think I'd gone to the guy's wedding. And now he was acting like I was some sort of psycho coming to trash the place.
I stalked forward. "It's nice to seeyou, too."
His frown deepened. "What's eatingyou?"
"Well, for one thing, you didn't even say 'hello.'"
He paused. "Uh, hello?"
I didn't know if that was a question or an actual greeting. Either way, he wasn't the guy I'd come to see. Without further delay, I announced, "I'm here to see Cole."
Again, he paused. "You mean…Cole Henster? The guy who owns the place?"
I crossed my arms. "Yes, actually."
"Sorry. He's out."
I sighed. "He is not. I saw his SUV in the parking lot."
"Yeah, well maybe he took a cab."
"To where?" I demanded.
"I dunno."
"Oh come on," I said. "I know he's here. Just do me a favor and call him, alright?"
But already, Gus was shaking his head. "Nope. Not gonna happen."
"But why not?"
"Honestly?" he said. "You're acting a little nuts."
My jaw clenched. "What?"
"And we're closed."
"Fine," I said, whipping out my cell phone."I'llcall him."
With a snort, Gus said, "Yeah, good luck withthat."
"Whatthat'ssupposed to mean?"
"His assistant is already gone. And you know the guy doesn't answer his own phone."
Already, I was scrolling through my contacts. "Imeanthis cell phone."
Gus gave me a perplexed look. "You got his cell number?"
My chin lifted. "Yes, in fact."
Gus looked from me to my phone. "I don't even gotthat."
Yeah, well you weren't making out with him. But I didn't say this out loud because I hadn'ttotallylost it. Not yet, anyway.
