Chapter Six #3
guilty for making the Magic send a car for me.
Well, not the Magic. Christian.
We pull up to the hotel, and I suddenly feel guilty for an
entirely different reason. When Christian mentioned paying for my room, I
wasn’t entirely okay with it, but he wouldn’t budge. But the hotel I’m looking
at right now is a bit swankier than it looked online, and I don’t know how I’m
supposed to be okay with the whole thing.
The driver helps me out of the car, and a bellman is
immediately there to assist with my luggage. I’m not used to this level of
service, and I have no idea who I’m supposed to tip or how much.
I’m no country bumpkin, but I wasn’t prepared for this,
and I’m second-guessing my decision to come without setting some boundaries
first.
Too little, too late, Ella. You’re here now.
I reach into my purse to tip the driver, but he politely
declines and wishes me a wonderful stay. With nothing left to do, I follow my
luggage into the hotel and go to check in. At the front desk, I pull out my ID
and credit card and quickly find out that my room is ready, and they don’t need
my card. They simply hand me my room key and a resort map and, once again, wish
me a wonderful stay.
I smile, but it feels awkward.
All of it.
I don’t make small talk with the bellhop on the way to the
room, but that’s only because he’s giving me the whole spiel about the hotel
and its amenities. I smile and nod, feeling utterly relieved when we arrive at
my room. This time, I make sure to tip. Once I’m alone, I think I may be a
little overwhelmed.
Is Christian’s room next door? I don’t see an adjoining
doorway, but that doesn’t mean anything. Does everyone on staff know I’m here
with him? Do they know we barely know each other? Are they talking about it?
“Okay, get a grip,” I mumble. “We’re not that newsworthy.”
Stepping farther into the room, I walk over to the window
and look out at the view of the mountains. It’s breathtaking. I instantly relax
and give myself a few minutes to admire the scenery. I don’t know much about
Tempe, but I’m sure I’ll learn all about it over the next several days.
My phone rings, and I realize that I never let Christian
know I arrived at the hotel. Or my mother. But when I look down, I see it’s
Christian.
“Hey,” I say when I answer. “I’m here.”
“That’s great. I figured you needed time to get checked in
and up to your room. I really wanted to meet you in the lobby, but I just
finished my session, and I’m heading back to the hotel now.”
“How did physical therapy go today?”
“Long and painful,” he says with a laugh. “But we can talk
about it, or not, over dinner. I made reservations at the rooftop restaurant.”
“Oh, wow. You didn’t have to do that. I would have been fine
just grabbing some sandwiches or something.” I don’t want him spending all this
money on me. It’s something we’ll have to discuss sooner rather than later.
“I thought it would be nice for our first night together in
Tempe,” he says easily. “I should be there in about fifteen minutes. I’m in the
room across the hall from you.”
“That’s great. I was wondering if we were on the same floor
or in completely different parts of the hotel. Either would have been fine, but
I was just curious, and it’s all so unfamiliar to me. But the hotel is great.
Very nice. Much nicer than I thought it would be. And this room is amazing, and
the view is spectacular. I’m going to take pictures and send them to my mom and
Jen. They’ll be so envious, and—”
“Ella Rose?” he says in that deep, masculine voice that I’m
getting very accustomed to. “You’re rambling.” I can hear the amusement in his
voice, but he’s right. I’m definitely rambling.
“This is just…” Pausing, I sigh. Loudly. “This is just so
much more than I was expecting, and I guess I’m nervous.”
“The last thing in the world I want is for you to be
uncomfortable.”
“I’m not. I swear. But it’s all new to me.” The nervous
laugh is out before I can stop it. “I’m fine. Really. By the time you get here,
I promise I’ll be my normal self.”
“As long as it’s how you feel,” he says, and I can already
feel myself calming. “You don’t need to pretend with me. It’s okay if you’re
nervous. I am, too.”
For some reason, that thrills me.
“Really? You’re not just saying that?”
He laughs. “I believe in being truthful at all times. Even
when it might not make me look great. The thing is, this is all new to me, too.
All I know is that I’m glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to see your face.
It’s been too long.”
“It’s been four days. Barely,” I tease.
“Still too long.”
Aww…this man…
“My ride’s here. I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Do you need anything?”
Just you.
“I’m good. But thank you. I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, you will.”
We hang up, and I spring into action. I unpack a few things
and quickly freshen up. The flight wasn’t long, but I still dressed casually,
and I’d like to look a little more put-together—especially if we’re going to
dinner at the rooftop restaurant.
I change out of my leggings and sweatshirt and put on a pair
of black jeans and a turquoise sweater. My hair is up in a ponytail, so I
remove the scrunchy, shake my head, and brush it all out. Studying my
reflection, I touch up my makeup a bit and reapply my lipstick. By the time
Christian knocks on the door, I’m ready.
More than that, I’m both excited and relaxed.
This is it.
The start of everything.
When I open the door and see his handsome face, my heart
tells me I have nothing to worry about. I made the right decision.
Our future starts right here, right now.