Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
I watched, fascinated. Edward Pierce wasn’t just a fan. He almost seemed to be living vicariously through them, soaking up their youth and recklessness like it could rub off on him.
After a while, and heaps of praise, most of it directed toward Kai, Edward excused himself, saying he had an early morning. The bar felt quieter without him.
Then Mr. Hartley appeared.
He didn’t have his wife with him this time. He was alone, slightly unsteady on his feet, his face flushed.
“There’s my favorite girl,” he said, sliding onto the stool next to mine.
I forced a smile. “Mr. Hartley. Can I help you with something?”
“Call me Bob.” He swung an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. “You’ve been so helpful. So sweet.”
I could smell the whiskey on his breath. “I’m glad I could help. If you need anything—”
“You know what I need?” He leaned in, his hand squeezing my shoulder. “A pretty girl like you to keep an old man company.”
I carefully extracted myself, stepping back with a practiced smile. “I’m sure your wife would love to join you. She seemed lovely when I met her.”
“Susan’s asleep.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Come on, sweetheart. I’ll buy you a drink.”
“I really should get back to work.” I glanced over to Landon, half hoping he’d see what was happening and distract Mr. Hartley, but he was talking quietly with a customer at the end of the bar.
Bob caught my wrist. “Just one drink, darling. What’s the harm?”
I gently but firmly pulled my hand away. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t. Enjoy your evening, Mr. Hartley.”
I stood, ready to walk away, but hesitated when the drunken man got off his stool as well, nearly falling on his ass. And while that would’ve been entertaining and well-deserved, I couldn’t let it happen.
But he recovered his balance without my help and staggered off. I watched him leave, then sat down again, feeling the need to finish the pink and weirdly delicious drink Kai had made me.
Kai watched me while I took a sip. “Why do you put up with that?”
“It’s actually good,” I said.
He rolled his eyes. “No, that old dude. He was all over you. Why didn’t you tell him to back off?”
“Because it’s part of the job.” It wasn’t a part I liked, but that didn’t make it any less true.
“That’s bullshit.”
“It’s hospitality,” I said evenly. “I can’t make a scene every time a guest gets a little too friendly. It doesn’t help anyone.”
Kai’s jaw tightened. “It happens often?”
I shrugged. It wasn’t like I’d kept track, but yeah, it wasn’t exactly rare for women my age in this industry. “Making a scene would’ve made it worse.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “You want to talk about inappropriate? How about the way Edward Pierce was hanging on your every word? Is he the president of your fan club or something?”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“Because it’s useful.” He shrugged. “We were able to get him to talk to your boss about changing your schedule.”
I froze. “What?”
“Your hours. We asked Edward to talk to Greer about moving you to the night shift. So you could sleep.”
My hands clenched into fists. “You did what?”
“We were trying to help.”
“We?” My voice rose. “Even Landon?”
“Yeah, me and Landon. We thought—”
“You got me in trouble,” I stared at him, anger boiling over. “Mrs. Greer already hates me, and now she thinks I’m some entitled brat who can’t handle normal disputes.”
Kai looked genuinely confused. “We were trying to help. One of the porters overheard you talking to the concierge.”
“You made it worse.” It likely wasn’t what they’d intended, but it was the truth.
I turned to leave, passing Landon in the process. He gave me a smile, apparently not having heard my exchange with Kai. “Headed back to the room?”
I looked at him—kind, thoughtful Landon, who I’d thought was different from the others.
“Stick to skiing and bartending,” I said without stopping. “Not scheduling.”
He blinked, startled.
I didn’t wait for a response. I just kept walking.
11
ZOE
The next afternoon, I was walking across the lobby. Then suddenly, I was sliding across the lobby. My feet slipped out from under me, and I let out a shriek as I fell.
But then strong arms caught me, right before my ass hit the marble flooring. I clutched at the red ski jacket as he hauled me to my feet.
It was Landon. I would’ve known that even without the red ski jacket. He just radiated calmness, while his twin radiated chaos.
His smile was warm as he made sure I had my balance. “Remind me not to go ice-skating with you.”
I looked over my shoulder. “Was that what that was? Ice?”
“Or a bit of tracked in snow. Over the years, they’ve tried everything to keep the foyer high and dry, but, well, this is snow country.”
He let go of me, and my arm felt cold at the loss of contact. “I’m sorry,” I said, looking into those bright blue eyes.