Page 47 of Still Her
When it comes time to leave their suite and head back to our own to pack up our things, I feel like I’m walking the plank, even though I’m not even on the ship yet.
When we make our way hand-in-hand through the lobby, Ron has to remind us to smile and act naturally when we venture through the doors and into the chilly air, where there are ten or so bundled up photographers flanking our path to the waiting SUV.
As the bus nears New York, a thousand thoughts zoom around my head.Is Eli really going to move in on me, or was he just saying it to mess with me? Is he going to contact me? When will he make his move?All the questions send my nerves into hyper drive, exhausting me when I’m already exhausted. I stare out the window at the skyscrapers that stretch up to reach the grey winter sky.
By the time we are pulling our luggage through the elegant lobby of the hotel we’re staying in, I’m fried. All my focus and energy is being drained by these thoughts, yet the questions continue to manifest. Is he here in the city now? Is here at our hotel? Will he pounce the first time I’m alone?
I’m losing my shit…
21
Mayzie
“You probably don’t wantto come do you? It’s just a radio show; nothing special to see. You could stay here, get some rest?” Jack asks about the guys’ first press engagement of the New York stop.
We arrived at the posh Capulet hotel less than two hours ago, just enough time to get settled, order something to eat, and for the guys to convene in Ron’s room to go over the itinerary. This afternoon is a guest spot on a radio show. Tomorrow is an interview and short performance on America Live, followed by the same scenario on the Holly Marie Show. After that, they come back to the hotel for a respite before heading to do a taping of The Up Late Show with Dan Coleman. The next two days will be the sound checks and concerts at Madison Square.
“Actually, I have to do some work on next weeks’ post, but after that’s done, maybe, yeah.” I answer with a shrug from my cross-legged position on the bed. My sleep patterns have been choppy at best lately.
A sense of hesitancy comes over Jack’s face before it clears and is replaced with a look of certainty. “I want Shane with you.” His eyes lock on mine, conveying his adamancy. I don’t argue.
“Okay,” I nod, and my heart gives a soft squeeze at the look of relief on Jack’s face. I get up on my knees to be eye level with him and take his face in my hands to give him a sweet kiss that he returns with a squeeze of my hips. He turns and leaves the room as I get settled and open my laptop in front of me on the bed. Through the open bedroom door, I see Shane come inside the suite and have a brief and subtle exchange with Jack. Once Jack is out the door, Shane sits down in the sitting area and puts ESPN on a low volume. The background sports burble actually relaxes me, and I get tucked into my writing.
An hour and a half later, there is a knock at the door that catches me off guard and my fingers freeze on the keyboard. I look up through the door and see Shane click a button on the TV remote before getting to his feet. Unable to stay where I am for some reason, I get up and walk out into the main living area, staying a good distance behind Shane as he goes to the door and looks through the peephole.
“Name and business, please.” His voice takes on a deeper tone than the way he normally speaks around me. Damn. Normally when he’s escorting me around venues, you’d think we’re just casual friends. I’ve never seen him in bodyguard mode before.
“Jerry Miller, Capulet Hotel staff. I have a delivery for Mrs. Krasinski.”
“Hold your badge up to the peephole please.” Even though he said, ‘please’, it was clearly an order.Jeez.
Shane leans in closer to the peephole before stepping back and opening the door. A man dressed in a dark black suit with gold embellishments stitched on the pockets and lapels, walks in carrying a plain white envelope. Shane holds it up and inspects it against the light that hangs over the nearby table. When he seems satisfied it’s not a bomb, he nods to the gentleman, dismissing him.
“Excuse me,” I address the employee as he turns to leave, looking slightly bewildered by Shane’s TSA worthy protocol. “Who delivered this?” I nod at the envelope that Shane is holding out to me. I take it and hold it between my hands, but make no move to open it.
“It was dropped off at the front desk by a courier ma’am.”
“Oh, so you don’t know who it’s from?”
“No, I’m sorry. When it’s couriered, there’s no telling.” He presses his lips together in an apologetic expression as he waits to be dismissed.
“Okay. Thank you,” I say, holding up the envelope by way of ‘good-bye’. He smiles tightly and turns, letting himself out.
I have a bad feeling about the contents in the stark white envelope I’m holding. Shane hasn’t moved, his eyes also on it with an interest that I decide I want to deflect. I let out an amused giggle.
“What?” Shane asks, drawing his eyebrows together.
“Nothing.” I shrug with a grin. “Just surprised you didn’t snap on a rubber glove and do a cavity search.”
Shane smiles and rolls his eyes as he returns to the sitting area, reclaiming his seat. I let him go back to his football highlights as I take the envelope back to the bedroom with me. Once I’ve crossed the threshold, I take a deep breath and tear through the paper seam. I pull out two cards. One is white plastic with a magnetic strip on the back of it. The other is cream colored thick paper, like cardstock, with plain black typed lettering on it.
Tomorrow
6 PM
Capulet Penthouse
Looking forward to it, Kitten