Page 39 of Never His Girl
She laughs quietly when her response confuses me.
“Sorry, I should explain, dear. There was a mix-up on your reservation, so we had to switch one of your rooms to a honeymoon suite. Don’t worry, though. You’re not being charged extra, since this was our mistake.”
“Then, I guess that’s us.” I flash a smile before she turns back toward her screen.
“If you’re okay with the upgrade, it looks like you three are all set,” she beams, handing over six keycards—two for each of us. One set has a red heart printed in the corner, setting them apart as those granting access to the honeymoon suite, I figured.
I take those and my brothers grab the others, but as I turn to leave the counter, I lay eyes on Southside, trying her best to disappear while waiting for her room assignment. She doesn’t look pitiful by any means, but I know it’s all a front.
She’s hurt, probably a little broken, and… just deserves a fucking break.
“Vivian,” I say, reading the attendant’s nametag when I turn and face her again. “Do you haveanyother suites available this weekend? I know it’s short notice, but I’d appreciate you checking.”
She doesn’t hesitate to click away at the keyboard, but looks up with remorse in her gaze.
“Unfortunately, I don’t, but like I said, you won’t be charged for your upgrade,” she explains again, misunderstanding the reason I’ve asked.
“It isn’t that, I just—”
My gaze shifts back to Southside and I’m only in thought for a moment before I come up with a solution.
“Could you do me a favor?” I ask, hitting Vivian with another smile. “Would you mind giving these to that girl over near the door? The blonde with the pink hoodie?”
Vivian’s confused, so I do something I haven’t done anywherenearenough of in my lifetime. I tell the truth.
“Thing is, I messed up pretty badly with her, and I’m trying to make things right without pushing too hard,” I explain. “Can I convince you to give her my keys, so she can take my suite instead of wherever she’s been assigned?”
Hesitant, Vivian first glances at the keycards I’m holding, and then her gaze shifts up toward me again. She eventually takes the cards, but I don’t miss that her eyes are glistening more than they were a moment ago.
“Wow,” she breathes. “That’s very sweet of you.”
Now, if only I could get Southside to see it that way.
“I appreciate your help.”
“My pleasure. I was young once,” she adds with a smile. “Can I get you a different room? We have a few doubles still open if you’d like one.”
I pass a look toward Sterling and he’s already shaking his head, which draws a laugh out of me.
“I appreciate the offer, but that won’t be necessary,” I say, before slapping my hand to Sterling’s shoulder. “I think my brother has room for me.”
“Fuck you. You’re taking the floor,” he mumbles under his breath.
“Then, you gentlemen have a wonderful weekend,” Vivian pipes. “And I don’t know what you did, young man, but don’t give up trying to fix it. Seems like this girl’s pretty special to you.”
She winks and we leave the counter, two of us bound for the same room, apparently.
I catch Joss’s smile and shake my head, knowing she’s overheard and is about to spout some sappy shit.
“Verynice touch,” she says with a grin. “All you’re missing now are flowers.” Next thing I know, she plucks a brochure for a floral delivery service off the rack beside us and shoves it into my hand.
After that, I instruct them all to fall back, while I discreetly observe whether my plan is somehow about to backfire in my face. But, luckily, when Vivian gestures for Southside to approach the counter and hands her the keys to the room I just gave up, she doesn’t seem suspicious.
As a guy who never cared about shit like this before, I sure as hell care about it now.
I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me, Southside, but damn… I’m trying.
Chapter 13