Forward

Chapter Twelve

Josephine

A few moments later, we are outside my hotel room and Hero is back to acting all weird again.

"Uh, thankyou again.." I say slowly.

"Really, it's fine." He smiles. "Couldn't have you dropping out on us on the first day."

"I'm sure you would've found someone else.." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. "To replace me, I mean."

"Replace you? Why would anyone want to do that!?" He both sounds and looks taken aback.

"Pfft, please." I shake my head and search for my key fob, only I can't find it.

"Seriously Jo. I'm really looking forward to working with you.. And getting to know you more."

Should I believe him? ..

..I want to but, I don't know.

And just where the hell is my key? This is bloody typical of me.

"I think you'll make the perfect Tessa." He continues.

"Really? Thanks.." I smile, still trying to frantically search.

"What have you lost now." He laughs.

I sigh and close my eyes, nowhere near as amused as what he clearly is.

"My key. My fudging key." I huff and pull at my hair.

"What are you like?" He tuts and rolls his eyes.

"Don't." I whine, pinching my nose with two fingers and holding my other hand up to silence him.

"Do you want me to go and look? Maybe you dropped it when you tripped."

"Yeah, maybe?.. I dunno. Argh!" I need to think for a minute. Retrace my steps..

"You said you wanted a shower. Do you wanna have one in mine?"

What? Why would he even suggest that!

I'm about to say no when I hear the sound of footsteps coming from further down and around the other side of the long corridor.

What if it's Inanna?

"Okay, actually yeah. If you don't mind.." I sigh feeling a little defeated and out of options.

He smirks but says nothing.

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Once we are back in his room and I'm showered, I leave the bathroom and re-enter the main room.

He's on his bed, laid back flicking through tv channels with one arm behind his head, that is until he seems to notice me.

"Hero?" I giggle and walk over, clicking my fingers at him. "Are you okay? You look frozen."

He shakes and wobbles his head quickly, almost like he's snapping out of it before standing up and heading straight past me over to the wardrobe.

"Qhm." He clears his throat. "What would you like to wear?" He asks, keeping his eyes forward.

"Anything that Inanna hasn't." I smile, joining him at his side.

"What?" He scoffs and looks down at me momentarily. "Well that's easy then." He holds his hand out. "That's everything." He exclaims with a shrug of his shoulder.

Not everything, not quite.

"Except your jacket..?" I remind him, raising my eyebrow and tilting my head.