Counterfeit Cupid (Mt. Olympus Employment Agency: Cupid #2)(12)

“416 requested more soap and towels. I was going to call housekeeping.”

“No!” Her outburst caused both of us to stare at her. She snatched the scrap of paper out of Stuart’s hand. “I’ll do it. It’ll be faster.” She glanced back at me. “Will you be going to dinner now, Mr. Flynn?” She flashed an even bigger smile.

I grinned back, feeling the betrayal creeping through my facial muscles. “I believe I am, yes.”

“Good. You enjoy your meal, then.” She reached under the counter and grabbed a lanyard with a keycard in its clear pouch. She straightened and stood looking at me as if waiting for something. “Let me know what’s good tonight when you come back.”

“Oh, sure. Stuart says the mozzarella sticks are good.”

She chuckled. “Of course he did.”

“Do you recommend anything in particular?”

She bit her lip. “The chocolate soufflé is delicious. Takes a little extra time, but it’s worth it.”

“Alright then. I’ll be sure to order it.” I stood looking at her for an awkward moment before realizing she was waiting for me to go before she stepped out from behind the counter. Probably some sort of customer service courtesy thing. I gave them both a little wave and left them for the restaurant.

It could have gone better, but it could have gone worse. At least she didn’t seem to be pissed off at me anymore.

I might have a shot after all.

*

When I finished with dinner—I opted out of the cheese sticks, since I didn’t think they’d pair well with salmon—Annie was dealing with a loud family of eight who had, apparently, missed their flight the day before but didn’t want to pay for the night they hadn’t been here, despite not having cancelled the reservation.

I may have been eavesdropping.

I waited for a bit, but they didn’t appear to be calming down, even after she gave them a free night, offsetting the extra one they’d paid for. I went for a walk instead, browsing the windows of the closed shops and considering a drink in some of the noisier bars. I never went in, though. I walked up the street a few blocks, turned right, walked back a few blocks, turned right, strolled, then made a final right until I found myself at the front entrance to the River Rock Hotel again.

Crossing my fingers, I entered the building, hoping Annie wouldn’t be busy. My shoulders slumped in disappointment. A shuttle or something must have come in while I was gone. People were queued eight deep in front of her, and she appeared to be the only one working the desk.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and weaved my way through the line of people to get to the elevator. I wasn’t leaving Dallas anytime soon. I could bide my time, maybe even come back later.

She glanced over at me as I passed, gave me a quick half-smile, then returned her attention to her guest. Despite all the people waiting, she didn’t appear to be flustered. I was impressed. There was so much to like about this woman. Jen would have been frazzled and snappish.

As I rode the empty elevator up to my floor, it occurred to me that maybe my previous problems had more to do with my poor choices in women.

Pondering this idea, I let myself into my room and climbed on the bed to watch some television. In an hour or so, I’d head downstairs again and see if Annie’s evening had slowed down enough to talk. Maybe I’d buy her dessert from the restaurant and bring it to her.

No, that was probably a stupid idea. She was probably sick of the food in the hotel’s restaurant.

I thought about going somewhere else to bring her some dinner, but by the time I figured it out, I fell asleep.

I didn’t wake up again until early the next morning, and Annie was long gone.

The sun came in through the windows and blasted me in the face, since I hadn’t even taken my clothes off last night, let alone closed the drapes.

Ah, well. Maybe it was for the best. Annie seemed friendlier last night, which was an improvement. I’d already made some progress. Still no clue why she was mad in the first place, or why she’d changed her mind, but I’d take it.

I showered and dressed for the day. I wasn’t in a huge hurry to complete my assignment and go home, but I probably should be doing something to move the situation forward. I’d head to the client’s house right after breakfast and get started solving whatever the problem was. Once I set myself to it, I was sure it wouldn’t take long.

The only problem was, I couldn’t find my blowgun and wings.

I patted myself down like an old man looking for his glasses. “Where the hell?” I spun in a circle and looked at the floor. I checked my cargo shorts from yesterday, the bottom of my suitcase, and even the tiny safe under the sink, in case I forgot I’d put it there.

Panic welled and threatened to explode from my head until I thought back. I’d left my wings in the car. I snorted at my own idiocy. Of course everything was in the car. I did that all the time back home.

As much as I tried to reassure myself that everything would be fine, I wolfed down my breakfast, then jogged out the front door. The sooner I could get to my rental car, the sooner I could put my mind at ease. I barely acknowledged the tall, dark-haired woman behind the counter in place of Annie.

I’d worked myself up enough that I was out of breath by the time I reached the rental car. The closer I got, the clearer the memory became of my moment of stupidity, tearing the wings off and throwing them in the tiny backseat where anybody looking in could see them. And try as I might, I couldn’t remember leaving the blowgun in the car, but it hadn’t been upstairs. It must’ve fallen out of my pocket in the car.