ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟛𝟙 #3
"But now that you said food..." I glanced up at him. "Food sounds nice."
"I'll order room service." He laughed quietly
"You spoil me."
"I know."
Everything he answered tonight was I know. I was getting irritated. I wandered over to the bed before immediately flopping face-first into it. It was wonderfully soft.
He loosened his tie as he walked toward the bathroom.
"I'll be five minutes."
"Where are you going?"
"To change."
"But why?"
He stopped in the doorway. "Because I'm still wearing a suit, my love."
"Oh, right."
I forgot. The alcohol had really gotten into me today.
He disappeared into the bathroom. A second later, I heard the shower running briefly- probably washing all that hair gel out.
I rolled onto my back. My phone suddenly buzzed inside my purse.
I frowned. Who...would be calling me?
I reached into my bag, and missed my phone entirely.
When I reached again, I found my lipstick.
"No."
The third time, I finally picked up something heavy. Finally.
"Aha."
I squinted. "Dannah."
I hadn't talked to her in a while. I smiled immediately before answering.
"...Helloooo."
"Dixie? Is that you?"
"Mhm?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fantastic."
"Dixie, have you been crying?"
"What? No."
"Drinking then?"
I looked down at the empty room. "Maybe. How'd you know?"
"You drank?"
"I think so."
"I had..." I held up my fingers. "One..two.."
"I had a lot of drinks, to summarize."
"Dixie Williams."
"It's West, silly."
"Oh, right I forgot. Dixie West."
"You're drunk!" Dannah burst into laughter. "I cannot believe this."
"I can't believe this either."
"Oh gosh," She laughed again. "Where are you?"
"California."
"I know you're in California."
"Oh. Hotel, then."
"I know you're at a hotel."
I frowned. "...You're asking very difficult questions."
"I also danced." I said abruptly.
"You danced?"
"I wish I could've seen this." She chuckled.
I smiled. She'd always been nice. One of the only people at work who I could actually talk to like a friend.
Dannah.
Her voice softened after a moment. "So..I actually called because..uh..."
She hesitated, "..Something happened today."
"Mhm?"
"It couldn't really wait until Monday."
I sat up slightly against the headboard.
The room tilted just slightly. "Whoa."
"Dix?"
"I'm okay. It just looked like the room moved."
"Well, I can assure you it probably didn't."
"I know." I giggle.
"Listen." She took a small breath. "I know you're on vacation."
"But, Ted made an announcement."
Something about the way she said Ted's name made my chest tighten.
"What kind of announcement?"
"So, uh, Georgia."
Great. Georgia. Way to ruin my mood already.
I blinked. "What about Georgia?"
"They promoted her."
"Promoted?"
"To your position."
The words floated toward me strangely. Like they had to travel through water first.
I frowned slightly. "What?"
"They announced today that Georgia's taking over your cases. Said she's officially stepping into the position."
"No.."
"They.." Dannah sighed. "..I'm really sorry, Dixie."
I looked toward the bathroom. I could still hear the shower. Cameron was quietly humming to himself. Everything felt so far away as of that moment.
"I don't..I don't understand." I laughed weakly.
"I know, you probably won't."
"While you were away they finalized everything."
"They..."
"Ted?"
"Mhm. He gave the announcement himself."
I stared at absolutely nothing.
"No way.."
"Dixie-"
"No." The word came out quieter this time.
"But..I've...I've worked..."
My thoughts wouldn't stay together. They kept slipping away before I could finish them.
My head suddenly felt much heavier. Pounding. The warmth from the alcohol wasn't warm anymore. It sloshed around uncomfortably in my stomach.
It was..nauseating.
"...Dix? are you there?"
"I..." I squeezed my eyes shut."I don't..."
The room spun harder this time.
"Dixie?"
"I don't feel..." I swallowed hard. "...very good."
"Dixie? Dix..Hello?"
"I think..." I pressed one hand against my forehead.
"...I think my head..hurts."
Her voice immediately changed. "Dixie, listen to me."
"Where's Cameron?"
"I..." I looked vaguely toward the bathroom door. "He..uh, showering."
"Go get him."
"I..." I stammered.
"Dixie, go get Cameron."
"I don't...I don't think I can stand up."
The room tilted again, far worse this time. I squeezed the edge of the mattress.
The phone nearly slipped from my fingers.
"Dixie?"
"Dixie!" She called urgently.
"Can..can you..." My throat suddenly tightened. I closed my eyes.
"I...I think..."
"...I'm going to be sick."
Right then, Cameron opened the bathroom door. He came out in a black t-shirt and grey sweat shorts.
"Hey Dixie, I found your bag from Anny's Boutique."
I quickly glanced at him, my phone still awkwardly against my ear. I watched as he pulled the silky red nightgown from the bag.
"Was this the girl stuff you were talking about?"
He was never supposed to find that. I wasn't even sure if I was ready to bring that out yet.
Oh gosh.
I think I really was going to be sick.