Bedding the Best Man(6)
“I won’t, auntie. If anyone asks, just tell them I wasn’t feeling well.” It wasn’t a complete lie; seeing Serita and Patrick on the dance floor had made me ill.
Aunt Renee’s features tightened with worry and she looked me up and down. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll see everyone at the farewell breakfast in the morning.” I kissed her on the cheek and walked away before my aunt could ask any more questions.
I knew the dancing would continue for at least another hour or so. My brother and Faith wouldn’t leave tonight; instead they were booked for a night in the presidential suite of the hotel. Tomorrow we would see them one last time before their honeymoon vacation. The farewell breakfast was tradition in our family; only family and close friends would be there.
I continued down the back hall until I reached the service elevator. I was thankful it was empty. After riding it up to my floor, I went to my room and snagged my gift basket off the dresser that Ronnie and Faith had placed in the wedding party members’ rooms. Rushing out again, I went to the same elevator and took it back to the lobby.
I followed the hallway around until it took me the long way to the front desk. My heart was racing and I tossed up a quick prayer that I wouldn’t see anyone from the wedding. Angel’s must have been smiling down on me because the clerk from earlier that day was on the desk alone. The woman was new and earlier she’d made more than a few mistakes. I felt a little guilty for using the woman’s ineptitude against her, but nothing was fair in love and war.
“Hi, Chrissy, right?” I smiled broadly and plopped the basket onto the counter.
“Yes.” She beamed a smile back at me.
“I hope your day is going well, not too hectic.”
The clerk sighed, her smile faltering a little. “Not too bad. But gracious, I wish I realized how difficult it was to keep so much straight and all the systems they use here.”
“Different than your old job?” Make small talk, Kamari, don’t rush her.
“I worked in Savannah at my grandparents’ bed and breakfast. We just kept things in a book.” Chrissy bit down on the side of her lip and glanced at the computer, anxiety tightening the corner of her eyes and mouth.
“A lot simpler I’m sure.” Time to reel this in. “Sorry to add more on your plate, but earlier we placed baskets in everyone’s room. But, one of the groomsmen got left out. The groom is my brother and he was just shattered that one of his guys didn’t get their gift.”
“Oh, no.”
I heard a few male voices and laughter. Now I was worried. Glancing over, I saw the groomsmen conversing with my brother in the hall. Most likely plotting some silliness to perform for the bride and guests. If any of them looked this way, I’d be caught. Oh, hell.
“I need the key to his room to put the basket there. The groomsman’s name is Patrick Rockell. My brother turned in a list for their room assignments when he paid.”
“Um…I don’t know.”Chrissy scratched her head and looked around as if she were hoping another attendant or even the manager would come help her.
No one else was around. I knew that the others, more experienced staff, would just take the basket from me and put it there themselves. I couldn’t have that. Especially since some of the items had my name engraved on them; like the other party members.
“Please don’t make me disappoint my big brother. It was my responsibility and I messed up.” I dropped my tone and hoped my face looked penitent enough.
“I can understand that.” She bit her nail. “There were just so many of them.”
“This guy you would have recalled, he’s very attractive. Matter fact, if you look to the right, you will see a group of guys in a circle, he’s towards the left of the groom.”
Sure enough, like every woman, unable to resist seeing a good looking man, Chrissy leaned over the counter and stared down the corridor. “He is hot.”
“I know right?”
“Oh, yea. Is he single? He was so nice when he checked in this morning. Not like the others who got a little impatient with me.”
Back off girl. I’m already having to deal with my cousin, I don’t need any other woman circling around him looking for a fresh kill. I cleared my throat. “Not sure.”
“What was his name— Never mind.” Chrissy ran her finger down a paper on the other side of the desk. “I’ll never forget him.” Chrissy started typing.
I figured it was the room assignment list. That was a bit of a mess. Since Ronnie was paying for all the rooms, the hotel was supposed to pre-load the names. But Chrissy had been assigned the task and it didn’t go through smoothly at all.