But then I remembered something. I hadn'tarrivedalone, and I wasn't withoutsomeclout, even if I had to borrow it. Again, I rose, standing more slowly this time to avoid whacking my legs.
There wasn't much room between the booth and its table, but I managed a close approximation of standing on my own two feet as I boldly announced, "For your information, I came here with Reese Murdock." I gave her my snottiest smile. "You ever hear of him?"
I felt incredibly slimy saying it. I had never been a name-dropper, but given the choice between being kicked to the curb or buying some time, the whole name-dropping thing seemed like a no-brainer.
And besides, I knew that Morgan had definitely heard of him, becauseshehad been dropping his name like crazy when I'd overheard that fateful conversation in the ladies room of the pancake house where I worked.
Now, I held my breath as Morgan and Nikki silently stared, eyeing me like I'd just announced that I'd come here with the King of Candyland, or someone equally implausible.
Slowly, they turned and shared a long silent look before both of them burst out laughing. It was Morgan who finally turned to me with a scoff. "So, did you ever find that 'listening device'?"
I froze. "What?"
"Youknow," she sneered. "Under his bed?"
Oh, God. Was she saying what I thought she was saying?
Nikki filled in the blanks. "We knew you were listening. What, you think we didn't see you going into the restroom ahead of us?" She snickered. "Did you seriously fall for it?"
I had, in fact.
And now I felt like a fool.
So the whole thing had been a trick?Mentally, I replayed everything that had happened during the past few days – the crawling around under his bed, the fateful drive where he'd left me stranded, and finally my presence here tonight.
Every single event led straight back to the center stall of the ladies room, where I thought I'd been listening in secret.
Wow.
I was a total idiot.I should have known I was being played. Thiswasthe dastardly duo, after all.
Morgan gave a sudden squeal of laughter. "Oh, my God. Youdidbelieve it, didn't you?" She rolled her eyes. "You aresucha townie."
I felt like slapping her. "Hey, you're a townie, too."
"Me?" she laughed. "Ilive in a lake house.Youlive in a trailer."
The blow stung. Plus, it was incredibly unfair. I'd been living in the mobile home for only a few weeks. Morgan had to know this. And besides, there was nothing wrong with living in a trailer – well, unless a tornado hit, that is.
Regardless, this wasn't the conversation I wanted to have. And even if I did, I wouldn't be wanting to have it here, withMorgan and Nikki, intheirterritory while club-goers gawked and pointed.
In the back of my mind, I was still processing what I'd just learned. There hadbeenno listening device, which meant there had been no reason for me to search Reese Murdock's rooms.
I should've known.
I was still reeling when Morgan gave me a knowing smirk. "So, you've got nothing to say?" She looked to Nikki and said, "Well, that's a first."
I knew why she was saying this. Usually, when they started in on me, I gave as good as I got – or at least I tried to. Now, I stupidly stared as Morgan turned back to me and added, "Youdoknow that he's stayingherenow, right?"
Here at the Diamond Resort?I blinked in utter disbelief. "What?"
She was still smirking. "In the Presidential Suite."
Ever helpful, Nikki added, "He checked in this afternoon." She gave a toss of her long, perfect hair. "Looks likeyourplace wasn't cutting it."
Of course it wasn't cutting it.Our hotel was a slum compared to the resort, which had an eighteen-hole golf course, two restaurants, a luxury spa, and a marina they called a yacht club.
Even so, the news hit like a hammer, and my mind reeled as I tried to process it.So that woman outside the entrance had been right?It sure looked that way. Belatedly, I recalled that the bouncer had greeted Reese Murdock by name and welcomed him back.
