Angels.
Angel. Fuck.
That name, the word itself will haunt me for days if not weeks to come—the way he deemed me his savior, his hope that I could save him. He didn’t see me clearly and our time is already up.
Hopping inside another elevator, I hit the button for my floor. The doors start to close and my heart skips a beat wishing Dalton would surprise me, and block the doors from shutting like he did before.
The doors close, and disappointment invades my chest.
The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” is playing in the elevator, a song befitting my mood. When the elevator doors open on my floor, Tracy is standing there. “Hi,” I say, shocked to see her.
“Well, hi there, stranger,” she responds, her suitcase next to her. “I thought I was gonna have to go back to the bellhop station and check my bag.”
When I step out, I hug her tight. “I’m so glad to see you. But why are you here? I thought you were celebrating your engagement?”
While hugging me, she says, “I know how much you hate these events and wanted to save you.” She releases me and her brows knit together. “I called you several times and looked for you at the party… Why are you in a bathrobe in public?”
I don’t have but seconds to come up with an answer she’ll consider suitable. The girl has never had a one night stand. Hell, she wouldn’t even sleep with her fiancé until they had dated several months. I start walking down the hall to my room. Keeping up with my fast pace, she asks, “Where’ve you been? Don’t tell me you skipped out on the conference.”
“No, no. I went. It was great. They even acknowledged the company.”
I stick my key card into the slot, and push the heavy door open with my hip.
“So you left early to wander the halls in your robe?”
“Um.” Damn, I’ve got nothing. Oh wait, yes I do. “I was at the spa.”
Tracy follows me inside setting her bag down just inside the door. “Okay. It must have been bad or you really needed a break.” She walks over to the bed that still looks fresh and flops backwards, lying down. “You mind if I barge in on your weekend?”
“Of course not. I’d love the company.”
Rolling onto her side, she props up her head in her hand as I unwrap my robe and toss it onto the bed without thinking.
“You went to the spa dressed like that?”
I look down, and reply, “I went straight from the party. I’m gonna take a shower.”
“Sure. I’ll settle in unless you want to go back out and party?”
“No, I’m done for the night, but you can if you want. Don’t let me hold you back.”
I walk into the bathroom just as she says, “No, I’m good. I’m tired from the drive anyway. We have all weekend to party.”
When I come out again, Tracy is in her pajamas tucked in bed with her laptop out.
“It’s late. You’re working?”
“Just catching up from what I missed today while driving.”
I climb under my covers, punch the pillow twice, then lay down, looking at her. “So what’s the real reason you left L.A.? And don’t tell me you did it for my benefit because you missed the event.”
She rolls her head to the side, appearing exasperated as she looks at me. “Stop seeing right through me.”
I smile. “Well, just know I’m here for you when you’re ready to talk about it.”
“Thank you, Holli. I know you are and that means a lot to me.”
“Goodnight.”
“Sweet dreams.”
I wake up too early. I can feel it’s early and going to bed by eleven always guarantees I’ll wake up by five in the morning. I check the bedside clock. 5:05. Damn. I was hoping to sleep in. After changing positions, I try to fall back asleep.
Tossing and turning, worrying about what I did last night and who I did it with owns every thought fluttering through my mind. I get up at six, needing to clear my head. The heavy blackout drapes are closed, and it’s dark in the room except for a dim light in the corner. I immediately head over to the curtains and peek out. The sun is starting to rise, a golden glow lights the distant mountains from behind. With amazing things like that existing in the world, it’s hard to feel sorry for myself. Life is pretty fucking awesome and I refuse to consider what I did with Dalton a mistake. A lesson, yes, but not a mistake. The sex was way too good to make me feel bad, despite the outcome.
“Holli?” a groggy voice calls from behind me.
I look over my shoulder at Tracy. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”
“Kind of. Why are you up so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Dropping the curtain closed again, all the light gets trapped back outside. “I think I’m gonna go workout.”