Chapter 5
Aurora
“D id you see that woman that Tucker Anderson is with?” Two women are chatting in the bathroom, while I’m hidden in the stall.
I really don’t want to hear what they’re about to say, but well…I’m in the stall for a reason. So I just have to hurry up and finish. Then I can interrupt them and force the conversation to stop.
“Isn’t that his assistant?”
“I don’t think so. His assistant has blonde hair and is really conservative. I hardly noticed her last time except that I had to set up an appointment through her. This woman tonight has a totally different vibe.”
Different vibe? No kidding. I kissed the man and the vibes haven’t stopped reverberating through my system. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. My body is totally aware of his in a new way.
“Besides, rumor is that the man won’t date his assistants.”
“Really?”
“Ya, but honestly, at the point that there are rumors about him not wanting her, I’m thinking the man doth protest too much.”
The women laugh like they’ve just watched a blooper reel where the guy biffs while swinging on rope into a lake. Instead of hitting the lake he lands on the grass just before the water. I never thought those were funny because I always imagine the injuries they sustained, and I certainly don’t find this funny. It’s awful because I’m the guy on the rope who didn’t land in the water.
We’re fooling no one. And I know those pictures will get out. Rumors will fly. Everyone will know it’s me. Worst night ever. Except for that kiss, if I’m being honest with myself.
At least Tucker is getting his fake girlfriend.
The women leave and I make my way out of the bathroom with every intention to convince Tucker we need to leave. He got what he wanted, we’ve made our appearance. Now I just want to go home. The pain of evaluating his possible feelings is too much for me to analyze today.
But when I come up behind him, he and his friends are talking. I hang back, out of sight. Without a preamble, I’m forced to consider his feelings because I hear the first question they ask him. And part of me definitely wants to hear his answer. Rumors won’t cut it.
“Is that Aurora I see you’re here with?”
“Shit, Greyson. You noticed?”
“Uh…kinda hard not to notice such a beautiful woman, right Wylder?”
“Definitely noticed her. She’s the only one with pink hair.”
Greyson speaks over Wylder, “I was wondering when you would finally hook up with your assistant.”’
“It’s not like that,” Tucker says.
“Right.” Greyson drawls out. “Because you don’t want to be the cliche.” He slaps Tucker on the back.
Wylder adds, “You do know that cliches exist for a reason, don’t you? With all the time you spend with her, I’m shocked you lasted this long.”
Tucker just grunts in reply.
“There’s nothing wrong with it. You were both single. What’s the big deal?”
“Just don’t tell anyone, okay?”
Greyson’s eyebrows are raised for a moment before he says, “You got it.”
“I’m not saying anything,” Wylder says.
Ugh. My head is a mess. His friends just said they’re shocked he’s lasted this long, implying he has feelings for me? What? He likes me? He likes me not? I don’t know. I don’t get it. And I really just want to go back to the penthouse apartment Tucker keeps in the city and sleep. Calgary is a bit too far from Lit Creek for us to make the drive back tonight, so I’m glad he has a spacious place for us to spend the night. I won’t have to see him when we get back there later. I can unwind and relax without the pressure of analyzing today’s events and how out of control they’ve all made me feel.
But then I see the woman Tucker pointed out earlier as Samantha approaching us. I have one job to do. Before she can cause a scene, I muster up the confidence I need. Time to interrupt the billionaire boys club. I step closer to them until I’m at Tucker’s shoulder.
“Ah, there she is,” Greyson turns to me and winks as he talks to Tucker. “Can I dance with your date?”
“No chance in hell.” Tucker ignores the chuckle trickling out of both Greyson and Wylder, grabs my wrist, and pulls me onto the floor.
This is so awkward. I’ve never been this uncomfortable with Tucker before. Not even with the forehead knocking on wood situation. And we all know that was a doozy.
“What’s wrong?” he asks softly.
“Nothing. Just a long day. How come Rhett didn’t come tonight?”
“My brother had to decline, but some of his hockey teammates showed up.”
“I saw.” My heart isn’t in this conversation, and Tucker can sense it.
“We’ll leave after this dance.”
“Sounds good.” He pulls me closer to his body so that we’re in an embrace more than a dance. It feels too good. He smells like clean soap. It’s so familiar and comforting that I just let go and let myself melt into him. It’s mostly for appearances.
Mostly.
Anyway, after this dance we’ll go back to the apartment and sleep. That’s the plan, and I’m good with it. I’ll figure out the rest later.
But the plan is not good with me.
Two hours later we’re standing in his apartment lobby while the front desk attendant stares at us with a scrunched up face. I mean, so scrunched up that I’m pretty sure I could stick a ketchup chip between his forehead creases and it would stick. Not sure why I would do that, but it’s late, I’ve had a couple of drinks, and that’s just where my brain is at right now.
“What do you mean we can’t go up to the penthouse?” Tucker is trying to remain calm.
“The sprinklers went off—”
“You have got to be kidding me.” Tucker grabs the back of his neck and looks up to the ceiling.
“We were delivering the items you had requested and…well…erm…they just went off.”
“How long do we have to wait?”
“A week. Maybe a few days—”
“A week. We need it tonight.”
“Yes. Um…unfortunately that’s not possible, sir.”
Tucker curses under his breath. Even owning the entire building doesn’t seem to be helpful in this situation. I’m too tired to react. This just seems like the cherry on top of the day I’ve had.
“Let’s go find a hotel room.” Tucker turns to go.
“The hotels in the area are full, sir. Due to a convention. But if I may, we have a room you can use.”
“And?”
The attendant looks a bit bewildered. “And nothing, sir. You can have it for the night. We’ve prepared it for you.”
“Alright,” Tucker drags a hand down his face, “that should work. Why didn’t you mention that earlier?”
“It’s not as big as the penthouse, of course,” he chuckles nervously.
“How big are we talking?”
“Oh it’s plenty big enough for two.” The attendant scratches his head. “At least, I think so. But I guess my opinion is not worth that much—”
“How big?” Tucker is almost growling at the man. Understandably. It’s after midnight, and we’re about to be sleeping in a strange place.
“There’s a queen bed.” The attendant blushes at the humble confession.
I’m so exhausted, and I can see that Tucker’s patience is wearing thin, so I chime in. “We’ll take it. Can you please show us the room?”
Tucker places a hand on my forearm as the attendant scurries out from behind his desk. “We can drive home.”
“It’s late. I just want to sleep.”
“We can find another place.”
“Tucker,” I put my hand on his, “I’m tired. I’d just like to go to sleep. We’re both adults. Let’s just go. How bad can it be?”
“Alright.” His lips finally permit him a small smile. “You’re right. How bad can it be?”