Accidental Tryst (Charleston #1)(42)

"That's so them rich people don't dirty up their kicks, yo."

"Welcome to the Chelsea Grand," the doorman said. "Checking in?"

"Um, yes."

Bobby joined us with my bag, and the doorman took it.

"Guest of Mr. Montgomery's," Bobby said to the doorman, whom he clearly knew.

"Thanks, Bobby." I put out my hand to shake his. "What do I owe you?"

"You're welcome, Miss Dubois." He tipped his hat. "I'm on call for Mr. Montgomery. You have my card, and my number is also in his phone. Just text or call, no matter the hour. Especially if you decide to go out for cocktails. Mr. Montgomery asked me to be sure you were safe."

"Thank you," I said, taking my wallet out. "But—"

"Like I said. I'm on call for Mr. M." He smiled, tipped his hat toward D'Andre too, and trotted back around to the driver's side of the car.

"Baby girl done got her a sugar daddy," D'Andre said with a chuckle.

"Shut it," I said with an eye roll. "All right. I'm going in. You say hi to Xanderr. Don't get him in trouble, he's underage."

"Yes, Mom."

I grinned.

D'Andre put out his fist. I tapped it with mine.

"Thank you, Emmy. I mean it."

"You take care of yourself D'Andre. Good luck tonight. Don't forget about us little people when you see your name up in lights."

"Never." He grinned then swung away, loping off down the sidewalk.

I took a deep breath and went inside the hotel and farther and farther into Trystan Montgomery's life.





21





Emmy





The staff at the hotel were solicitous and practically falling over themselves to make me feel comfortable. All it did was make me feel a bit like a specimen. They were clearly curious.

I was shown to a room that was really more of a suite. It had a sitting area and desk as well as a large king-sized bed. The building wasn't as tall as some others in the area, so there was no skyline view. But at least it was overlooking the street below and not the back of another building that so many of them did in New York. The room was modern but sumptuous—clean lines and comfortable furnishings. The bathroom had a large glassed-in shower that was a rare size for this city, and hanging behind the door was a large white fluffy robe.

I sighed with happiness. I'd order room service just as Trystan had suggested, take a long hot shower, wrap myself up in the robe, and maybe watch a chick flick. For one night, I wouldn't let myself worry about anything. What had Trystan said? Give us both a break? It was true I needed a mental break from worrying about money and David.

On that note, I thought I better get the call to my boss over with. I got his voicemail of course.

"Steven, sorry to call the office number so late. I don't have my phone, so I don't have your cell phone number with me. My uncle went missing today. It was awful. He's safe now, thank goodness. But of course I had to cancel my flight, and I have to make sure I deal with any fallout from that tomorrow. I won't be back for the pitch, but everything is ready for it, the deck is finished and saved on the server. Sorry, again. Thanks, Bye."

Grimacing, I hoped that would do. Steven was a stickler for people sticking to time off organized months in advance. I couldn't prove it, but I was convinced Trina the receptionist lost her job last year because her son had an emergency dental appointment after an accident at school and had to take time off without notice. Steven was an asshole, and for once he would just have to cope without me.

Hunting around the desk area, I found a simple grill-style menu from the hotel, but apparently one could order from any restaurants in the area too. I settled on a piece of fresh fish and vegetables from downstairs because it didn't look like it involved any gluten. Picking up the phone, I was about to dial zero when a voice spoke. "Good evening, Miss Dubois, may I get something for you?"

"Uh, hi." I looked at the phone, then put it back to my ear. "Um, may I order some dinner?"

"What can I get you this evening?"

"I was thinking of the fish."

"This evening we have two choices; an Adirondack Mountain Trout or an Alaskan Halibut. Both outstanding choices."

"The trout please. And is it prepared gluten-free?"

"It can be. I'll let chef know. Any other allergies?"

"Er, no."

"Very good. And Mr. Montgomery instructed that you would be having wine with dinner. Since you've ordered the fish, may I suggest our Sancerre?"

He did, did he?

"Um," I paused, quite taken aback by the whole affair. Trystan was certainly making sure I blew through all the money he'd sent me.

"If you don't like Sancerre, I can sugg—"

"No, no. Sancerre is fine."

"Very good, and what time would you like to eat?"

I looked at my watch, knowing I wanted to shower and wash my hair. But I was also starving. "Maybe in about forty minutes?" I could dry my hair later.

"Very well. Good evening, Miss Dubois."

"Thank you, bye." I set the phone back on its cradle and stared at it for a few minutes. Interesting set up Trystan had here.