Billie Bossa Nova

57.

"It's closed," Billie noted as Kai entered the car after removing the barricades blocking entrance to Moonlight Hotel's parking lot.

He closed the door, restarting the car. "It's my hotel."

"They're making renovations. Is it even safe to go in there?"

Kai nodded his head. "Renovations are done. We'll be opening up in three days."

Billie nodded, then glanced behind her at the empty backseats of the car. Her gaze returned to Kai. "Kai, where's my puppy?"

"I left him with Rusty," he replied.

Billie drew her eyebrows in. When her silence lingered, Kai spared her a glance. "I didn't think you'd mind. Just figured some alone time would be nice."

"I was just hoping to see you both tonight."

At this, he frowned. "Why's that?" She failed to reply. He tore his eyes from the road to look over at her once again. She looked straight ahead. He did the same, deciding it probably wasn't too important. She might just be missing him. Moreover, she would be leaving for Paris soon and probably wanted to see him before that. "I'll get him tomorrow. Tonight it's just me and you, okay?"

Through his peripherals, he saw her nod. Which eased some tension on his shoulders. Kai parked the car in a parking space nearest to the entrance, getting out and rounding to open the door for Billie. She took his hand and they went towards the main door, meeting a man who was standing by the door. Seemingly, he'd been waiting for them. Upon their arrival, he handed Kai some keys.

"Thank you, Gunther," Kai told the man as he took the keys. "This stays between us."

"I have no-one to tell that would care, sir," replied Gunther. His eyes went to Billie, eyebrows rising ever so subtly and then dropping back to their usual position. He nods at her and Billie sends him a grin. After that, his focus returns to Kai. "As you can see, I've switched the power on for you. I'd suggest you lock the doors when you get in, there won't be security out here to ensure no break-ins."

After saying this, the man was on his way. Kai took his advice, locking the main doors after entering. Nothing could ruin this night. Not as long as he was alive.

"Let's get a room key," Kai suggested and led them behind the counter.

"This is so fun!" Billie squealed. "I can't believe we have this whole place to ourselves." She might as well have gasped each and every word that she said. Kai grinned as she threw an arm out and twirled around the room. She stopped, rushing to Kai and stopping right at the counter. Her elbows braced on it as she leaned in towards him at the opposite side. "Let's explore."

"You're quite energetic at this fine hour of 11PM." He loved it. It was a side to her he'd never seen before. Bewildered, awed, childish. Like she was seeing the light of day for the first time. He never knew that he would ever be capable of doing that, but here he was. Impressing her.

She rolled her eyes. "I've never done this before, okay? And trust me, I've done a lot of things."

His pride swelled, along with his adoration for her. He rounded the counter, intending on embracing her but instead being pulled by the hand down the hall. "Where are we going?"

"The kitchen, dumby!"

"Why are we running?" he laughed.

"For the thrill!"

Her zeal was contagious. He felt the thrill, too. She evoked it. Kai and his friends, Ryan and Kyle had done this loads of times when they were teens. He'd forgotten just how exciting it was because he'd done it so many times it became a bore. Until now.