Stevie didn't sleep at all that night... She couldn't. She had tried, but it seemed like every creek of the old floor, every rustle of tree that hung by her bedroom window and every thought running through her mind kept her awake. It was all too much, so instead of getting any real rest, she just tossed and turned for hours before she finally decided to slip out of bed, make a cup of coffee and sit on the sofa in silence.
She loved silence.
There was something so calm about being awake when the rest of the world was still asleep. Some mornings, when she really couldn't get comfortable, she would sit by the big window that overlooked the street. She would see the people that worked at the bakery across the road come in at two to start on fresh pastries, or look at the crowd right next door in the old bar that would step outside for a smoke before last call. And of course, she always smiled when she saw the newspaper delivery man zip by on his bike on summer mornings.
She never felt alone at the Inn, even when she was...
Her peace came to an end when the clock hit nine and just like every other day, she got ready to venture downstairs, where things were just starting up. But as soon as she pulled open the door, she was greeted by Lindsey, who was just coming up the stairs.... Out of all the rooms at the Inn, Marissa had to put him in the only other room on the sixth floor.
"Hey, sunshine." He gave her a grin, holding a paper bag in one hand and a drink carrier with two cups of coffee in the other.
She forced a light smile, even though she really trying to avoid him that morning. "Good morning." She replied, eyes falling to the floral rug at her feet.
He chuckled softly, hitting the top of the steps with a light sigh. "I asked the girl at the front desk what breakfast order would make up for waking the woman on the sixth floor..." he admitted, obviously very aware of what he was doing... "Hopefully she sent me in the right direct." He added as he held up the paper bag for Stevie to take.
Her heart was racing as she slowly reached out for it, kind of surprised but also certain that it was jus the kind of man he was... He seemed like a player and he was playing all the cards of one too. "You didn't have to do that." Stevie shook her head lightly, bringing her eyes to his as he handed off over the coffee that he had ordered exactly how Marissa told him to.
"I am, seriously, sorry for keeping you up last night." He shrugged a shoulder softly, a very genuine tone lingering in his voice as another one of those very handsome grins traveled across his face.
He was trying not to make it obvious how enticed he was by her presence. The hair, the button nose, brown eyes, crooked smile... She was breathtaking, even at two in the morning, standing in the doorway in pajamas with a mad expression written across her face.
"Thank you, Lindsey." She nodded, trying hard to sound appreciative as she let off another weak smile. "That was very sweet of you and I'm sorry for being so harsh last night." She felt bad... embarrassed even.
She could have been more understanding...
"Should we just start over?" He wondered with a soft wink, which caused her to let out a faint giggle... A really cute giggle, at that.
"So we're going to pretend like I didn't hit you with the door and you didn't play your music at an ungodly volume in the middle of the night...?" She clarified, smirking softly when he nodded in agreement. "I think that's a good idea." She held out her free hand for him, still staring into those very captivating blue eyes.
"Right, sounds good." He took her hand in his, giving it a soft shake.
She couldn't help but laugh again, shaking her head in disbelief as she let go. "Well, thank you again for the coffee and the danish." She wanted him to know that she wasn't a total stick in the mud... She was just not used to running into people quite like him. "And I hope you enjoy your day." She added as she slowly slipped around him to head down the stairs.
"Yeah, you too." Biting down on the inside of his cheek, he turned around to watch her head for the lobby.
"It's supposed to be a nice day," she mentioned from the bottom. "I hope you don't stay hauled up in that room with your guitar..." she added before she disappeared around corner, not leaving him any time to reply.
And on her way to the lobby, her heart raced and her face grew flushed... She couldn't remember the last time anyone had made her feel that way. It had been years.
She was nervous, but enticed and annoyed, but excited... She wasn't sure what any of that was about, because in reality, he was just board line obnoxious.
Cute but annoying.
"Your cheeks are red, boss lady." Max was passing through, rushing around her as he slipped in with just two minutes to spare.
She rolled her eyes softly, letting out a little laugh as she continued to head further through the Inn, where guests were lingering at every turn.
There were people that were standing by the door, waiting to checking in, on their way to get breakfast, admiring the art hanging on each wall, and conversing in the common area. There was always someone coming and going- something happening.
It was her favorite place in the whole world.
"Hey..." Marissa smirked the second her eyes met Stevie's from across the busy room, kind of nervous as she watched the blonde move towards the desk.
"Hello, trouble maker." Stevie teased, setting her cup of coffee down on the table when she made it into the back office.
Chewing on her lower lip, the younger girl spun in her chair to see her boss. "I see you got your favorite...?"
She lingered, trying hard not to laugh at the look on the blondes face.
"Mhmm," she raised a brow softly as she began to take a seat in the empty chair.
"He's really nice...." Marissa frowned lightly, knowing already that Stevie wasn't very keen on the situation. "He's booked in for two weeks here and he isn't wearing a ring, and-"
"And I'm married, Marissa."
