Eleven
Ari was eager as they pulled up to the hotel. The last hotel had been perfectly nice, charming even, but this place? It was on another level entirely. She’d booked the extra night herself, choosing somewhere absurdly expensive—everything polished, gleaming, and dripping with opulence, the best Edinburgh had to offer. The kind of place that made the previous hotel look like a budget chain in comparison.
Ari wasn’t just after getting what she wanted. She wanted Nancy to feel the difference too, to see that she was putting in effort, that this wasn’t just about Ari’s desires but about smoothing over the tension. She wasn’t going to sour their working relationship over a weekend, not if she could help it. And if a bit of indulgence could get Nancy on board, so much the better.
The valet opened the door as they pulled up, and Ari swung out of the car, taking her time with the whole thing. As Nancy followed behind her, Ari could almost feel the scepticism radiating off her. She couldn’t blame her.
‘I’ve put you in the best suite they have,’ Ari said.
‘You’re going overboard with this,’ Nancy said, sounding like she didn’t quite know how to take it. ‘I don’t need to be in a grand a night room.’
‘Just think of it as… an investment in your mood,’ Ari replied, smiling brightly as they walked up to the front desk. ‘You need to be well-rested for tomorrow, right?’
Nancy just shot her a look. ‘I’m already doing this. You don’t need to sweeten the deal.’
Ari handed the receptionist her card. ‘I’m just being considerate,’ she said, keeping the tone light. ‘You’ll feel better once you see the room.’
Nancy rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. She was trying not to be swayed by Ari’s constant stream of sweetness, and Ari could see it, but she wasn’t giving up.
‘OK if I come and check out the room? Make sure it’s what I paid for?’ Ari asked.
Nancy shrugged. ‘Sure. Fine.’
***
The room was sleek and stylish. The bed was massive and soft, the kind you could lose yourself in. The bathroom, too, looked like it could’ve been straight out of a magazine, all marble and chrome, with a soaking tub that could fit a five-a-side football team in easily.
Ari turned to look at Nancy, expecting a reaction. She wasn’t disappointed.
Nancy was standing near the window, arms crossed, staring out at the city, her expression unreadable. ‘Good god,’ she said simply.
‘This is a thank you because I’m grateful,’ Ari said, walking over to her, making sure her voice was soft. ‘This wedding is a lot of pressure, and I—’
‘Stop buttering me up,’ Nancy said firmly, turning to her.
Ari couldn’t help but laugh lightly because it wasn’t the first time she’d heard that from Nancy, and it wouldn’t be the last. ‘I’m not buttering you up. I’m being nice.’
‘Mm-hmm,’ Nancy said, clearly unconvinced.
‘Fine,’ Ari said, throwing up her hands in mock surrender. ‘I’ll stop. Just promise me you’ll use that bath. I’m sure you could do with a soak with all that driving.’
Nancy sighed. ‘Wouldn’t hate a soak,’ she admitted. ‘What room are you in, by the way?’
‘Oh, some broom cupboard down the hall. It was all they had left.’
Nancy tutted. ‘I feel weird about that.’
Ari had to admit, maybe she was pushing it. Because she needed more than a date for the wedding. But if all went well, Nancy would never know Ari’s true intentions at this god-forsaken bash.
‘A table is booked downstairs,’ Ari said, changing the subject.
Nancy raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re taking me to dinner?’
Ari tilted her head to the side, a cheeky smile on her lips. ‘We have to eat.’
‘Stop it,’ Nancy muttered. But Ari caught the briefest flicker of a smile on Nancy’s face.
‘Fine, fine,’ Ari said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. ‘No more buttering you up.’ She grinned and walked toward the door. ‘But dinner’s still happening.’
Nancy sighed, but Ari could tell she wasn’t completely annoyed. She was starting to soften, just a little, and Ari could work with that.