Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“That’s fair. Do you think you could get someone from housekeeping to let me into my room? I could go upstairs and knock on the door, but I’m hoping I can slip in without Malcolm seeing me like this.”
“Ramon has a key that opens all the rooms. I’ll get him for you.”
He sent a text, and while we were waiting for Ramon to arrive, I said, “Can I ask you a question, even though it’s none of my business?”
“Sure.”
“Why do you and this guy hook up while he’s at work?”
“He’s not out to his religious family, and he and his brother are roommates. As for me, I still live with my mom because I can’t afford to move out, so there’s no privacy at my place.” A sly grin appeared. “And here, we have access to super luxurious guest rooms, on any night the lodge isn’t sold out. But that’s just between you and me.” He tilted his head and asked, “Did you think he had a wife and kids at home or something?”
“The thought may have crossed my mind, since I caught my ex cheating on me while he was at work.”
“On no! I’m sorry that happened to you, Daniel. You must have been so upset.”
“Yeah. I was furious, too.”
I’d probably always carry a scar from that. But thinking about it now, I was surprised to discover it felt like it had happened a lifetime ago. So much had changed. I’d changed. Maybe I hadn’t totally put it behind me, but I felt like I was well on my way.
A minute later, a huge guy with a suit and a crew cut appeared. He frowned ever-so-slightly as he took in my outfit and said, “I’d be happy to let you into your room, sir. I just need to see some ID.”
“My wallet’s in my room.”
Paul spoke up. “I can vouch for him, Pookie. This is Daniel. He’s super nice and definitely staying here. He’s the reason the wait staff is getting paid while the restaurant’s closed.”
Ramon looked alarmed and whispered, “You can’t call me Pookie in front of the guests!”
“It’s okay.” Paul linked arms with Ramon and smiled up at him. “He already knows we’re doing it.”
“And if that’s a secret for some reason, I promise not to tell anyone.” I turned to Paul and added, “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone how you found me, either.”
Ramon looked confused. “How did he find you?”
“I got locked out wearing an elephant jock strap, so we got most of my outfit from lost and found. I’ll be sure to return your T-shirt, by the way, Paul.”
He shrugged. “Keep it. I make silkscreened T-shirts as a side hustle, and I have a bunch more of that design.”
Ramon looked even more confused. “What’s an elephant’s jock strap?”
“Elephant, not elephant’s,” I said. That did nothing to clear up his confusion, so I pulled down the front of the board shorts, just far enough for the elephant’s eyes and ears to peek out.
“I’ve got one of those,” Paul told him. “My weenie fits in the trunk. It’s real cute.”
“Oh, now I get it,” Ramon muttered. Then he whispered to Paul, “Wear it next time.”
After all of that, Ramon agreed to let me into my room, and the three of us rode upstairs in the service elevator. Along the way, Paul made puppy dog eyes at Ramon, who blushed and grinned. Okay, those two were adorable together.
I thanked them both repeatedly and gave Paul a hug when we reached the suite. Ramon tapped his key to the lock, and when it clicked open I waved to them and slipped inside.
My hopes of getting to change before Malcolm saw me were dashed the moment I set foot in the living room. He turned to me and exclaimed, “There you are! I was starting to get worried. You left without your phone, so I couldn’t call you.”
“I took a walk to clear my head.”
He seemed confused as he glanced at my clothes. Because he was too polite to tell me I looked ridiculous, he went with, “Weren’t you cold in that outfit?”
“A little. I threw on the first thing I saw, and obviously I need to do laundry.”
“My son, brother, and a few other family members are hanging out in the lobby, and they’d love to meet you. Since you’re up and dressed, want to come downstairs with me and say hello?”
Malcolm watched me closely as he said that. He was probably starting to suspect I was up to something, and why wouldn’t he? I was acting weird and dodging his family, and that had to raise a red flag.
But I had to keep it going a little longer. “I tired myself out, so I’m really not up for it.”
Judging by his expression, that was exactly what he’d expected me to say.