Chapter 10
SELF-AWARENESS
Damn it.
How could she be mad at a guy who left to get chips and chocolate while she was in the shower?
The long, cool shower had helped some. Food and wine would definitely take the edge off.
The two mini Snickers she’d popped in her mouth whole had started it.
With her legs in shorts out in front of her, she debated texting Paris. But it would take more than a few quick words to let her sister know what living hell she was in.
And Paris would only lecture her. Hadn’t she gotten enough of that today?
She didn’t need Spencer to tell her she’d pushed too much today. She knew. And she had no one to blame but herself.
By now, you’d think she’d be used to men just diminishing her worth or sticking her in a slot the minute they saw her. Most times, she didn’t care and used it in her favor.
Being in Spencer’s presence had unnerved her more than she wanted to let on.
The powerful scent of musk that was probably aftershave.
The heat of his body in the car that shouldn’t be there, but her mind said it was lighting her on fire.
It was his unwavering patience and willingness to let her take charge rather than push back when they got to the rental counter.
She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Why she was almost trying so hard to get him to crack just a teenie tiny bit.
But she had reined it in when they met with Belinda. The owner had been sweet and apologetic and had offered to do whatever she was told right then.
It wasn’t her call to make any changes right now. But it was common sense to get the freezer fixed.
The bathroom door opened and Spencer came out in shorts and a T-shirt, and bare feet that her eyes dropped to immediately.
This was too intimate, but what was she going to do, tell him he had to stay completely dressed?
Geez, she didn’t even have anything else other than a tank top to sleep in. Not even comfortable shorts. Maybe she could find a place to pick some up.
“You found the chocolate,” he said.
“Hits the spot. Thanks for that.”
“No problem. Toss me one.”
She reached into the bag and lofted it up, he caught it one handed, and then moved to the dresser with his dirty clothes but didn’t put them in a drawer, instead laid them on top.
He opened his candy bar and popped it in whole like she had, then he reached into the bag with their other snacks.
“What’s that?” she asked when he threw the small compacted square at her. It was wrapped tight as if all the air was sucked out of it and was pink.
“Laundry bag for our dirty clothes.”
“You think of everything,” she said.
“I saw them while waiting in line at the store. Not saying they are great, but they might keep the smell contained more.”
He opened his blue one so she did the same with her pink one, then shook it out.
“Smells nice,” she said. “Almost floral. Kind of like the room does from the flowers off the balcony.”
“Even if it doesn’t last, it will help counter the fish on our clothes.”
“I so want to give West hell for this,” she said, her voice full of grouchiness.
His head was down while he was placing his clothes inside. “Will you?”
She snorted. “Not likely. I won’t say a word. Maybe I’ll mention something to Braylon or Nelson. If Laken were around, I’d totally whine to her, but she has her hands full.”
“I’m positive they are aware of the area,” he said. “West and Braylon.”
“I’m sure. And probably laughing their asses off. I bet they stayed on West’s jet rather than this place.”
“Have you been on it?”
“I have. It’s nicer than my apartment. West flew family on it for a few weddings. Put us in groups to make it easier.”
“That’s nice,” he said.
“I’m sure you’ll be on it at some point,” she said. If he was second in charge behind Braylon, there’d be no doubt he could end up on trips with West.
Or maybe not. It wasn’t something she knew for sure, but she had heard that the jet never flew without West on it, unless it was her Aunt Aileen or a group of family members.
“Doesn’t matter either way. Best mode of transportation for me right now is a helicopter. Nice and fast.”
“I’ve been in a few going to West’s Hampton home. I can say that to you because I’m sure you’re already aware of his second home.”
“I am,” he said.
“Where have you flown one? And can we figure out dinner? I need food and wine.”
“You didn’t find the wine?”
“What?” she asked, looking around.
He moved to the mini fridge and opened it up. “I took a guess.”
She bent down and peered inside, scanning the bottles without bothering to pull them out.
In an emergency, she wasn’t picky. And being trapped in a bland hotel room in a backward little fishing town with a man who managed to rile her temper and her hormones at the same time absolutely qualified as a Class A emergency.
“Damn. You sure know how to put a person in a good mood.”
“My evil plan all along,” he said. “It was more for me than you.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I’m a lot. I know.”
“Self-awareness is the first step.”
“Toward corrective behavior, I know. But I happen to like how I am.”
“No one says you have to change,” he said and grabbed the key to the room.
“I don’t plan on it, but I also know when I can turn it up or down.”
She normally realized it after the words were out of her mouth, but she still knew.
“I saw a local pub type place when I was at the store. Not sure what else there is around here or how far you want to drive around looking.”
“I’m good with anything,” she said. “How far did you drive for the wine?”
“I didn’t. Kayleigh is very helpful when you ask nicely.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said. They moved to the stairs over the elevator. She didn’t need to ride it for the one flight down if she wasn’t carrying or pulling bags.
“The store is across the street. Just a general one. A few down is the pub. It’s a nice night to walk anyway.”
“Notice any other stores or things in there? I need something to sleep in.”
He turned quickly to catch her glance. “You sleep naked?”
She laughed. “No. I hope you don’t. But I’ve only got a tank top and wouldn’t mind cotton shorts that don’t have a button or zipper on them. Maybe you could do the same?”
“Good point.”
They walked down the sidewalk, staying on the same side of the road. There were more people out than she thought and she wondered if they were vacationers.
“Do you think people rent houses around here?”
“There are only sixty rooms in the inn, so I’m thinking that’s a possibility.”
“It’s like you can tell the tourists from the locals. I’m not used to that. I’m always in bigger cities.”
“Come on, you can tell the tourists in New York,” he said.
“True. But not always. Where are you from? You never said.”
“Philly. And you’re from Orlando.”
“I feel at a disadvantage that you know more about me than I do you.”
“Not much to know,” he said. “I told you where I’m from and I’ve got a younger sister and who she’s married to.”
“That’s it? That’s your entire existence outside of your job? No relationships? No kids? Nothing?”
“You’re making me sound boring.”
“You kind of are. That just proved it.”
“Or I’m very private,” he said. “Did you think of that?”
“I’m sure you are. We are stuck together in this small town for a couple of days. We can sit in the quiet if you want. I’m sure it wouldn’t bother you in the least.”
“It wouldn’t, but it’d rev you up. I’d rather not do that with only four beers to help.”
She bumped her shoulder into his walking on the sidewalk and then wished she hadn’t made that move. It was uncalled for and totally unprofessional.
Something she tried hard not to do when she was working.
Not with anyone. Especially not a man.
“Sorry,” she said. “Didn’t mean to do that.”
“I think you did, and it’s fine. I’m not a complete dud. We aren’t working right now. No reason we can’t be ourselves.”
“I think I get on your nerves when I’m myself.”
“You get on my nerves working,” he said. “But I can handle it. Maybe you’re different outside of work.”
She was. But not many saw it.
Nor did too many call her out on getting on their nerves.
“Guess we’ll find out.”
He opened the door to the pub, they moved in and saw it was crowded. Not surprising when it didn’t appear there were many places around without driving.
“Table for two?” the hostess asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“It will only be a minute. They are cleaning off a few tables in the back.”
“That’s fine,” he said and moved back when the door opened for another couple to come in.
They waited less than two minutes and were shown to a booth in the back past the bar, then menus were put down and their water glasses filled.
“I’m getting a lobster roll,” she said, glancing at the special menu.
“I’m surprised after being around the smell all day.”
“It wasn’t pleasant, but I’m not letting it ruin one of my favorite foods. I’m sure this might be one of the best I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll get the same,” he said. “Might as well enjoy some benefits of being here.”
“Hi, I’m Sandy. I’ll be your server today. What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll take a Chardonnay.”
“Bottle or glass?”
“A glass,” she said. She had a bottle back at the room she was opening. She needed it.
“I’ll have number three on tap,” he said.
“Are you ready to order or do you need more time?”
“We’re ready,” she said. “Can we get the hot crab dip, and then I’ll take the lobster roll special?”
“Same with the special,” he said.
“We’ll bring that right out with your drinks.”
“I didn’t ask if you liked crab dip. You could have gotten anything else you wanted.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” he said, his tongue in cheek.
Funny, considering he had the corporate card and was paying for the trip.
She was just so used to calling the shots.
She looked at him. “Go on, say it.”
“Say what?”
“That I can’t let someone else make decisions for me. I can’t let another person drive. Not even stand up for me when I’m getting dismissed.”
“Why is that?”
“You’re not going to dispute it?”
“I don’t know you well enough to dispute it,” he said.
She let out a breath. She started this so might as well continue. “I think it comes from being the oldest girl. It’s like my DNA to be the strong one. The one to protect my twin and other sisters.”
“I’m pretty sure Paris can handle herself. I think it’s more that she doesn’t do it the way you want.”
“Guilty.” She sighed and settled into her seat more.
“Then why do you continue to do it?”
“Why do you continue to have so much patience? I’m sure you know it rubs people the wrong way.”
He laughed. “I’d rather rub people the wrong way being polite and considerate than abrasive enough they need a doctor’s appointment for ointment.”