Betrayal

Chapter 14

Ali

The hotel is just down the street from where we had lunch yesterday.

It's beautiful and classic. Red bricked with a white awning that covers outdoor seating where people are eating. The American Hotel. He told me to meet him here. I don't know if he's gotten a room or if he's waiting in the lobby. All he texted me was the name of the hotel.

I'm nervous, shaky, and excited all together. It's nearly four o'clock now. I used the same excuse I did yesterday to get away, saying I didn't have time to get him anything because of the situation with his sister and coming back early. Dominic was planning to go another bonfire anyway. He wanted me to go, but I insisted on going into town by myself.

It's begun to sprinkle. I stare up at the dark sky for a moment and let the droplets hit my face. I smooth my hands along the fabric of my dress, then grip the bottom edges between my fingers. I didn't wear a bra. I wanted to wear as little clothing as possible.

This is it. We're going to fuck. He wanted to meet here. At a hotel. Not a restaurant, a hotel. I ask myself what I'm doing and why, but I get no answer that could justify this.

I step off the sidewalk, beneath the awning, and into the hotel. It's warm and homely inside. Ornately crafted rugs lay over hardwood floors. They're a mixture of reds and golds, perfectly melded together, and give it an atmosphere of being at home. I look around for him, across the small lobby, and walk toward the dining area. I scan the tables and my eyes lock on him. He's sitting at the bar with his back to me, sipping slowly on a drink.

For a moment I only stare at him. He's dressed much how he was yesterday. A gray pinstriped suit. His hair is as wild, wavy, and curly as it always is. Even just from behind and just seeing the side of his face, I think he looks unbelievably attractive.

I take a slow breath, then move. As if he can feel my approach, he's turning and looking at me just as I get close to him. A smile starts on my lips even though I don't mean to smile. It's some sort of instant reaction to seeing his face. And he returns it just the slightest bit.

He has a five o'clock shadow that I focus on for a moment before I look into his eyes. There are dark circles beneath his eyes as if he didn't sleep well the night before. I stared at my own face in the mirror this morning at my own dark circles from lack of sleep. Tossing and turning, unable to sleep because I couldn't stop thinking of what today would bring.

"Sit down."

I do as he says and sit in the empty seat next to him. I can smell his cologne. That deep, manly scent that practically intoxicates me on contact.

"She'll have a water, please," he says to the bartender. "Lemon?"

I nod at him. A moment later a glass of ice water with a slice of lemon is set in front of me. I take a long, slow drink. I feel parched and the coolness soothes my mouth and throat.

"So, what was your reason for getting away today?"

"I told Dominic I was shopping for his birthday again because I didn't get anything yesterday. He's going to a bonfire later, anyway, so..."

He nods. Where's Rebecca? I didn't see her when I left. I didn't see either of her parents, either. And Wyatt and Ella weren't in sight. I assume she took them out with their grandparents.

"Yours?"

"The same. I think I'm going to get him a watch."

"That's nice. I'm not sure what to get him yet."

He stares at me for a moment before he finishes his drink and taps the glass, signaling he wants another.
The bartender pours the brown liquid over more ice and I watch as he takes a sip. He seems uncomfortable and out of place and fear settles into me.