Chapter 3
MOLLY
For a moment, I feel like I’m in my own little bubble.
The sounds from around me disappear and my stomach clenches.
Did he lie about not getting my note? Was it him who sent me that text message pretending to be someone new who had just checked in?
I mean he’s here, after all so he definitely isn’t on a plane on the way home.
Is this going to be one of the most cringey moments of my life?
But then, as his gaze drifts toward me, something in his expression shifts.
His lips curve into a slow, unmistakable smile, and warmth spreads through me.
That’s not the smile of a man who’s avoiding me.
That’s the smile of a man who wants me, and the clenching in my stomach doesn’t exactly stop, but it is now for a very different reason, and it has gone from feeling nasty to feeling good.
The tension in my chest eases too, and the sounds of the casino flood back in now that I’m out of my little bubble of despair.
The space around me is once again filled with clusters of tourists and businessmen, and the hum of conversation competes with the plink plonk sounds of the fruit machines.
My heart is hammering, as excitement and possibility fill the air, and I feel like if it wasn’t for the sounds of life going on around us, Joshua would be able to hear it beating.
I take a moment to calm myself and then I force my voice to sound casual when I speak.
“I thought you were supposed to be on a plane right now,” I say.
We pause in our conversation when the bartender brings our drinks, and Joshua tells him to put them on his tab.
He gives the bartender his room number and it’s different from his original room, so it does sound like he left and came back, meaning he likely didn’t get my note.
I relax further and just enjoy the view that is Joshua for a moment longer before the transaction is complete and Joshua’s focus turns back to me.
Joshua grins at me and takes a long drink of his drink before setting it down on the bar. He pushes mine towards me and I thank him and take a drink, glad of something to do with my hands.
“Yeah, anyway, about going home,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was supposed to be flying home today, but I got to the airport, and there was some sort of a mix up with my boarding pass. Apparently, they overbooked the flight, and I got bumped to one tomorrow.”
“So, you came back here rather than staying in a room at one of the airport hotels,” I say, and I can’t keep the smile off my face now. He came back for me.
His grin turns a little sheepish, confirming my suspicion.
“I was going to. But then I figured I would come here on the off chance I might run into you here,” He tilts his head slightly, his eyes locked onto mine. “And here you are.”
“Yup,” I agree, still grinning like a lunatic but unable to help myself. “Here I am.”
“So, since fate decided to give me an extra night here, how about we get another drink?” he says.
His voice is light, but there’s something else underneath it.
Something that makes my pulse quicken and my mouth go slightly dry.
Something that makes me feel like anything is possible if I only relax and go with the flow, and just for once, I want to do just that.
But I have to be careful about it and as much as I want Joshua, I can’t risk losing my job over this.
I glance over my shoulder. My manager is nowhere in sight, but that doesn’t mean she won’t appear at any second.
“I can’t really be seen to be drinking with the guests,” I say. “I know it’s dumb but it’s company policy. I risked getting fired drinking this one.” I gesture to my now empty glass.
Joshua nods, as if he expected that answer.
“Then let’s go somewhere else,” he says.
I hesitate for a fraction of a second before reminding myself that I’m going to relax and go with the flow tonight and I find myself nodding my head in agreement.
“Ok,” I say. “Why the hell not.”