As promised, my car was waiting for me in the parking lot near the stairs going up to my apartment. I only had enough time to throw some items in a couple of suitcases and get my backpack together before jumping in the car with Hannah and Wyatt and heading to the airport.
As I soak in the tub, I wonder if Knox is here yet. He was taking a later flight, so probably not. I really need to start giving him the benefit of the doubt. And definitely need to apologize given how ungrateful I was the last time I saw him. I sink lower into the tub but relaxation won’t come.
When I head toward the elevators, it’s under the guise that I can’t relax and want to hang out at the bar. In truth, I want to watch for Knox and family, hoping I get a chance to talk to him before finals start tomorrow.
There aren’t many people in the restaurant. Considering the late hour on a Monday night, I’m not surprised. I get a table facing the front doors of the hotel and hunker down for the long haul. Where I’m positioned, the glass revolving door is in full view. Although the scene beyond the door is dark, the lobby is lit up and everyone who passes through is easily spotted.
I order some crab cakes to nibble on along with a glass of the house white wine. I’m still a little unsettled from all the alcohol I had at Everheart’s along with not getting any sleep in the past thirty-six hours or so. When the appetizer arrives, the fresh ocean smell makes my stomach rumble. I reach for a memory of the last time I ate and can’t come up with one. I wave for the waiter and add cioppino and sourdough bread to my order.
By the time I’m finishing my stew, a familiar face walks into the restaurant. I slump in my chair, but I’m right out in the open and there’s no way Mike won’t see me. I knew I’d see him, but I guess my mind has been elsewhere, so I’m not quite prepared. I sit back up so he doesn’t feel bad when he inevitably sees me.
He’s looking around for the hostess when he spots me and a smile creases his face.
I wave and try to fix my face to look equally excited to see him. I like Mike and he’s been nothing but nice to me, but I’d hoped to catch a different man tonight.
He takes my wave as an invitation so I stand when he reaches me, and we hug. “Hey there.”
“Hi, Mike. When’d you get here?”
He’s bright-eyed so his response makes sense. “This morning. I wandered around the city most of the day, and when I got back this afternoon, I sunk into a long nap. When I woke up, I was starved. How about you?”
He’s standing there awkwardly, and I don’t feel as though I have a choice but to ask him to join me. “A couple hours ago. You want to sit?”
He brightens even more and pulls out the chair opposite me. “Why, thank you. I’d love to. How was your flight?”
We make small talk and I steal glances at the door. Although if Knox comes through, I’m not sure how I could talk to him tonight given Mike’s presence.
When the waitress takes Mike’s order, her gaze stays on him a little longer than expected. I think back to what Mama said about him being fine, but I don’t see it. Clearly Lillie and the waitress disagree.
I order dessert and a glass of port so I don’t have to sit there and watch Mike eat. It would be rude to abruptly go back to my room even though I want nothing more at this point.
I’m not sure if it’s the warmth of the port or the late hour, but I finally relax into my chair, heavy lidded.
Mike waves for the check. “You don’t have to stay down here and keep me company. You have a big day tomorrow.”
“You’re right. I better get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.” I reach for my wallet in my purse, but Mike holds up a hand.
“I got it. It’s the least I can do considering I’ve kept you up past your bedtime.”
His brown eyes are twinkling but not in a lurid way. “Thanks. Good night.”
I ride up the elevator, and I can barely keep my eyes open. When I exit, I confusingly walk the wrong way and have to double back. The Everheart brothers plus one are coming off the elevator looking at the sign for direction. What in the absolute hell is Flynn doing here?
Flynn Everheart is staring at the back of Knox’s head, jingling the change in his pocket, a thoroughly maddening habit. Over the four years he would visit, I came to loathe the man almost as much as his son.
I’m not even close, but Flynn’s booming voice reaches me. “Which way are we going, son? I’d like to get in my bed before midnight.”
Knox’s shoulders stiffen and he looks at his card key. “This way.”
Great, they’re heading my way and this isn’t even near my room.
When Knox spots me, it’s the first time his face registers real surprise. He normally looks as though he’s expecting me even when we meet up randomly on an airplane. This time, he’s out of sorts. Maybe it’s the Flynn-effect. “Rowan?”
Declan raises an eyebrow and smirks but keeps walking past me. What’s that about?
Weston smiles wide. “Hi, Rowan.” He keeps walking too, though.
I say hello to his retreating back.
Knox and Flynn have stopped and the elder is studying me. Clearly trying to place me even though he saw me at least four or five times a year for the entire four years of culinary school,
