5. Amy
Amy
Good news: The hotel allows dogs.
Bad news: The hotel allows dogs.
I'm not sure what to do. If I take my little Pomeranian along—her name is Lucky, because she's fucking lucky to have me, thank you very much—she might piss all over the hotel room carpet.
On the other hand, if I don't bring her, I'll be sad that she's being boarded all week.
Then again, she spends most of her time sleeping under my chair, so I guess she won't be missing much.
After much back and forth, I decide that she's coming. She's tiny and adorable. Maybe if she gives the housekeepers kisses, they won't tell on me for any pee accidents.
Just in case, I pack a bottle of Nature's Miracle. Only enzyme cleaners will save me in the worst-case scenario.
"If you need me to, I can keep Lucky with me. Milo loves her. I'm pretty sure he loves her enough to give her little Milo babies."
"Milo's neutered, Sam." She's chatting away as I pack my suitcase, and doesn't mind that my responses are occasionally slow. "And Lucky's spayed."
"Doesn't mean he can't try."
"Are you trying to matchmake our de-sexed dogs?"
"Look, he would be happy. And she would be happy. And I would be able to cuddle her."
"You hold a baby all day long. Cuddle him."
"Babies aren't the same, but okay."
I can hear Sam cooing at her son and laugh. "When he's eighteen, I'm going to put that on his birthday slide. 'On this date, on this year, your mother said a cute Pomeranian puppy was better than you.'"
"I never said Lucky is better ," she protests, and changes the subject quickly. "What are you packing for your little streaming retreat?"
"It's a job, not a retreat, Sam."
"I know. I'm the one who recommended you for it, remember? Asher loves you, by the way. Laughed when he watched a few of your streams. He hopes you make a bunch of the board members die of apoplexy."
I've never been asked to murder people via stream before. It's a little touching.
"So, what are you packing?"
"Mmm. I'm streaming, so it'll be my vintage dresses. Some comfy pajamas. Make-up. Hair shit. Not sure what else."
Sam sounds excited. "Pack some fuck-me clothes! In case you get lucky with Liam."
"Fuck-me clothes? You want me to pack fuck-me clothes?" I laugh into the phone. "Are you shitting me? And who's Liam?"
"Why not? You'll be alone with him for a week. Might as well look hot. Liam's the other streamer. My old landlord, you know, the nice one? Asher's friend."
"Sammi, I'm not going to seduce a guy I don't know."
"You don't have to seduce him. Just be prepared in case he seduces you."
I roll my eyes. "What makes you think he'd want to?"
"Because you're gorgeous and funny and smart and any man would be lucky to have you."
Her words warm me. She's the best friend a girl could ask for. "You're biased."
"Doesn't mean I'm wrong."
I snort. "Even if I wanted to pack something sexy, which I don't, I wouldn't know what to bring."
"Ooh, let's see..." I can practically hear the wheels turning in her head. "That black lace teddy you wore for Halloween last year."
"I was a sexy cat. You want me to bring my cat ears and tail too?"
"Why not? Maybe he's into that."
"Oh my god, stop!" I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts. "I am not bringing my sexy cat costume."
"Fine, fine. But at least bring something lacy. And short. Show off those legs, girl."
I shake my head, although she can't see me. "I'll think about it."
"You better. And call me every night with all the dirty details."
"There won't be any dirty details."
"We'll see..." Her sing-song voice teases.
I chuckle. "Goodbye, Sammi."
"Bye, love. Have fun!"
I hang up the phone, shaking my head with an amused smile at Sam's antics. That girl, I swear. Now that she's engaged and a mother, she wants me to get laid. It's a twist of our usual dynamic.
Turning back to my closet, I scrutinize the racks of clothes with a critical eye. A few vintage dresses make the cut, and I love the way the bright colors and bold patterns pop. Perfect for on-camera. A few casual outfits join the pile too, in case I venture out of the hotel room for food or whatever.
My hand pauses on a slinky little black number, the one I wore on my last anniversary date with Paul. I almost shove it aside, but some reckless part of me tosses it in the suitcase instead, along with a pair of strappy heels that make my legs look a mile long.
Sifting through my lingerie drawer, I bypass the ratty cotton panties and bras I usually wear in favor of the sexier matching sets buried underneath. Sheer lace, satin and silk in rich jewel tones. The kind of underwear that makes you feel like a goddess.
It's not for any nefarious seduction purposes. It's just a little confidence booster. Armor, in a sense. Something pretty and feminine to shore up my defenses in an unfamiliar situation. To make me feel powerful and in control.
It has absolutely nothing to do with this Liam guy. He could be a troll for all I know. Some neckbeard living in his mom's basement.
I'm doing this for myself. Because I deserve nice things. I deserve to feel sexy and confident and desirable, regardless of whether anyone actually sees it.
Yep.
That's what it is.
Definitely not because there's an inner slut that's tempted by Sam's words.
With that settled, I zip up my suitcase, double check I have all the essentials, and take one last look around my apartment. Lucky is snoozing in her carrier, blissfully unaware of the upcoming adventure.
"Shit." I smack my forehead. Almost forgot the damn dog food. Lucky would be pretty pissed if I showed up at a fancy hotel without her gourmet kibble.
I grab the bag from the pantry and stuff it into my already bulging suitcase. Then pause and sniff.
Ugh, no way. I am not having my sexy little black dress reeking of processed meat byproduct.
Nope.
The kibble's yanked out without ceremony, saving all my clothing from a fate worse than wrinkles. Guess I'm doing this two suitcase style. Fancy clothes in one, doggy accessories in the other.
Lugging both to the front door, I give my apartment one final once-over. Looks like I'm as ready as I'll ever be for this surreal adventure. Flying out to a swanky hotel to play video games for a living. What even is my life right now?
But I don't leave until tomorrow, so until then…
Plopping down in my gaming chair, I fire up Shadow Ops out of habit. I won't be playing it for a week, so I may as well get my time in now.
My eyes flick to the corner of the screen. Huh. TrickShot999 is online. Before I can overthink it, I click his name and invite him to party.
He joins immediately, and I slip on my headset with a grin.
"Hey. Wasn't sure if you'd be on."
The reply is instant. "You, either. We were up pretty late last night. I'm actually going to be out of town for a while, so it's my last chance to play for a week or so."
I laugh. "Not to sound like I'm one-upping, but I have the same problem. I have a lot of work to do this next week, so I won't be playing."
"Zombies or Supremacy?" He's all business. I like that.
"Wow, you must be a hit with the ladies. You ask the stupidest questions. Zombies, obviously."
I can hear the smirk in his voice. "For your information, I'm a regular Casanova. Women faint in my presence."
"Probably from the smell."
He barks out a laugh and I can't help but join in. It's so easy when talking to him. Natural. Like we've known each other for years instead of days.
Fuck. Am I getting an internet crush?
I am.
I should stop.
But as we load into the game, I know I'm not going to.