She shrugs and we continue to the front desk with her taking charge as she was born to do. “Hi, I’m Alexis Cocker, and this is my sister Sam. Our cousin, you might’ve heard of him Gabriel Cocker?”
I’m so used to Lexi’s antics that I don’t even blink.
The girl behind the counter lights up as though someone plugged her big toe into a wall. “No way! I was so bummed when he got married. Is he happy?”
If Lexi didn’t want something from this person, she would read her the riot act over that question. How rude can people be? Yeah, we’re going to tell you—a complete stranger—if our cousin is happily married. Don’t people understand the sanctity of marriage or family loyalty?
Lexi steamrolls, “Gabriel is hanging out with Asher Gladstone. I have his phone, or I would call him. But see, he can’t answer since it’s here.” She flashes hers. “Can you tell me what room that is?”
“Oh, I wish I could. I’m not allowed to give away that information.”
“Samantha! Lexi!”
We turn our heads to find our cousin, Elijah, walking toward us. The front desk clerk almost passes out because Elijah is the identical twin of Gabriel, but even with the shorter hair and an exquisitely-tailored suit, she doesn’t realize that this isn’t the rockstar, but rather the ambitious politician who is far more severe.
We’re in a pickle.
His ice-green eyes narrow on me before he cups the back of my head and kisses my forehead. “You been crying?”
Lexi is pissed that her plan is not going as intended. “What are you doing here?”
This completely confuses the front desk clerk.
“This is where I’m staying for a couple weeks. Since I’m going back and forth to DC, this was the best option. What are you guys doing here?”
I start to answer, but my sister cuts me off, bright green eyes twinkling. “Your brother is here. I have his phone. So we’re trying to get this nice lady to tell us which room he’s in.”
Elijah cocks his gorgeous head, suspicious. “Gabriel is here? Registered at this hotel?”
I chime in, “He’s not staying here. He’s hanging out with the lead actor of the musical I’m in. The one you didn’t see.”
Clearing guilt from his throat, Elijah glances to the clerk. “I’m guessing you didn’t give them his room number?”
“Oh, you’re his brother! I could call up,” she offers, ready to do anything he wants.
My heart races.
Lexi stares straight ahead.
“No. I want to surprise him,” Elijah says, saving our asses without knowing it.
She giggles, “Well, since I know you are who you say you are.” Her eyelashes flick to the hotel registry and back to us a search later. “You’ll find them in Room 444.”
He gives her a wink and the three of us walk to the shiny elevators as Lexi smirks, “You are smooth, Elijah. The looks you gave that poor girl.”
“You have no idea.”
Touching his lapel, she stops him. “And so am I. Gabriel’s not here. Thanks for the help though.”
Elijah stares a beat, and chuckles. “I can’t believe I fell for that. I know you better, Lexi. And you, Sam, backing her up!”
I shrug, “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She points to her dress. “No sleeves here. Don’t be too rough with yourself.”
“I’m always rough with myself,” he smirks as he heads away.
Lexi calls after him, “Too much information, thanks.”
Elijah points at me, “Whoever broke your heart like this, make him pay.”
Lexi pushes the elevator call button as we watch our favorite candidate walk away. Under my breath so only she can hear, I say, “I think Logan is hurting enough.”
I motion for her to stay back.
“I’ll be right here,” she whispers pointing both of her index fingers at the carpet that hid our approach. A door opens to our right and someone in a hotel uniform walks out carrying a tray of covered dishes, uncorked champagne bottle showcased in a silver ice bucket. The employee locks eyes with me and glances to the door, realizing I am where he is supposed to be.
I’ve studied in the school of Alexis Cocker my entire life so, without missing a beat, I reach for the tray. Since I had no hesitation, he gladly hands it over and hurries back to the employee elevator so he can return to his busy night.
Lexi reaches over and knocks for me three times, calling out, “Room service!”
I hear footsteps growing louder, just like my heartbeat.
How am I going to ask him, Did you drop Marion on purpose? And after I accuse him of this, how am I supposed to dance with him in New York?
It’s not really an accusation, is it? I’m telling him what other people have said.
Clearing the air.
That’s all.
Then why the flash of perspiration?
His door swings open.
Stuart is wearing a white terrycloth robe loosely tied around his middle.
I stammer, “Oh, Mr. Rogess, I must be at the wrong room.”
Behind him, Asher steps out in a white robe, too, flushed, happy, until he sees me. “Sam!”
I am speechless.
Asher rushes forward, eyes flicking from our producer to me. “Stuart was just…”
My arms slide forward, and Stuart takes the tray, begging me, “Samantha, please don’t tell anyone. My wife.”
Like a zombie, I turn left. Lexi stays by my side as we head for the elevator. She glances back at Asher calling my name.
After a moment of shock, he runs after us. “Sam, please, let me explain.”
“I think she gets the gist, thanks.”
I raise my hand to tell Lexi I’ve got this. “Give us a second.”
She is also dumbfounded by what we never saw coming. Her eyes have no shine as she nods and backs away.
Asher takes my arm and guides me toward the wall for what little privacy there is. There’s a framed photograph of Piedmont Park eye level behind him, and I’m staring at it as he says, “We need you to keep this a secret.”
“Why?”
“Come on!”
I meet his eyes to ask, “Did you drop Marion on purpose so that I would get the part?”
He
