Despite the ride down, moods were high, the freedom from Croft reason enough for celebration. Sure, it was a business convention, but it beat being trapped in a cubicle all day with the air conditioning set on blizzard.
Monica pitched a fit when she heard we’d be out of the office, despite not knowing the real reason behind it. Marty lied through his teeth, and with how sensitive things had been, I didn’t blame him. Ever since her epic tantrum, the office was paralyzed, communication between her and Lee nonexistent. It was better that way, seeing that Lee still fumed whenever she looked her way.
Jason, in particular, was elated, his trip to Maine lifting his spirits substantially. I loved seeing the change in him, his smile wider and eyes brighter. It carried through despite his sea of appointments, constantly traveling over the last few weeks. We only saw each other a day or two a week, but video chatting daily made it bearable. As long as I got to see those eyes I was content, the blue pools calming me at a glance.
We made our way inside, Lee cracking a few one-liners at Marty’s expense that had Jason rolling. With each laugh, her eyes widened, peering my way in shock at his playful side. I shrugged, playing dumb, tugging along my bag with its wonky wheel.
Jason headed to the front desk to check us in, the rooms booked on his company card. Lee and I were sharing a room while the men each had their own.
The lobby was packed, but the line for check-in was a ghost town. Jason snakes through the stanchion ropes while I struggled with my wobbly suitcase. Each turn was perilous, the bag more than ready to heave over. Jason taunted my inability to pack light, but hey, a girl needed options.
When Lee and I reached the desk, Jason was already tapping his fingers against the counter. “What are you talking about?” he demanded, cheeks flushed as the vein in his neck popped forth. He was glaring at the clerk, a small blond with large glasses who didn’t look a day over twenty.
“Everything good?” I asked, coming to rest at his side.
“It’s fine,” he grumbled, waving a dismissive hand, earning a raised brow from Lee. “Someone messed up our reservations.”
I sighed. It was getting late, and I was hungry. The food carts were calling my name since the trip was announced. “Okay, well, how do we fix it?” I asked impatiently.
Lee looked my way, mouthing “yikes.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “They only booked two rooms, and there are no vacancies.”
Really? He was pitching a fit over a simple solution? “Okay... boys in one room, girls in the other?” I suggested.
“One room has a single bed, and the other has two queens,” he grumbled.
“Lee and I can sleep together,” I assured.
“Not allowed per company policy,” he replied stiffly. “We have an employee handbook, Elena.”
I bristled at his little joke, which did not land. I was hungry, dammit. “Oh, come on!” I groaned. “We’re not sleeping together.”
“Yeah, I’m fine with it,” Lee agreed. “We won’t even spoon. I promise.”
“The double room has a pull-out bed,” the clerk added, a small smile touching her lips. “The smaller room does not.”
“Okay, well, you’ll room with us,” I declared, Lee’s jaw dropping. “Lee and I will sleep separately, and you can take the pull-out bed.” I air-quoted sleep, earning a giggle from the clerk.
He grumbled, crossing his arms, not sold on my proposal. I met his gaze, set on melting those steely blues with my own fire. “It’s that, or you share the double room with Marty. Take your pick.”
He shook his head. “I’d rather get a colonoscopy on live television.”
Lee chuckled, and the desk clerk smirked, sliding a hand up to cover it.
I planted a hand on my hip. “So stop being stubborn! Do you want to room with him or not? If you do, get ready to stay up until midnight listening to him talk to himself or his wife about his overactive bladder!”
On cue, Marty came waltzing into the lobby, his chatter distinct despite the buzz of the room.
“It’s settled,” Jason muttered.
The clerk handed me three keycards for our room and another for Marty’s, uncomfortable dealing with Jason. “Your room is 861 on the eighth floor. The other suite is 223 on the second floor.”
I smiled at her before winking at Lee. “Thank you.”
Jason lifted his suitcase from the marble. “Perfect. I’ll have six floors of peace and fucking quiet between us.”
Lee cackled wildly, gaining Marty’s attention, whose mouth kept moving until he came to rest behind us, another coffee in his hand. He fidgeted with his bag, spinning to take in the lobby, ignoring the keycard I held out to him. “Real nice place here. Real nice.”
“Yeah, it’s great. Here’s your keycard. You’re on the second floor. Room 223.”
“Oh, okay. Where are you?”
I grinned, offering my best lie to date. “Lee and I are on the eighth floor, and Jason is down the hall from us. We figured you’d want the room closest to the coffee shop.”
He smiled ear to ear. “Great thinking! You’re such a planner, Elena!”
“Yeah, you’d swear I had a degree in it or something,” I muttered. “Anyway, we’re regrouping in the morning for day one?”
Marty shook his head. “No need. Jason and I will man the floor and booth intermittently. You and Lee are just here to learn. You two take the time to explore.”
“Great. Well, see ya around.” I hurried to the elevator with Lee in tow, leaving Jason and Marty in the dust. After six hours in a car with the guy, I needed downtime and an order of chicken wings. Maybe a beer too.
“I can’t believe you suggested we double room with him!” Lee
