Steam (Homecoming Hearts #4)(12)
Due to the state of the building and the fact it was nearing the end of the season, Trent wasn’t surprised there were only about a dozen people milling about in the lobby, including the staff. That didn’t help him feel any more comfortable when all twelve of those people turned to look at him as he and the puppy and his massive suitcases clattered through the door.
He cleared his throat and pulled off his glasses. Damn. At least his dad wasn’t out here.
“Oh – my god,” a voice declared in jubilation. It immediately caught Trent’s attention even before he identified who had spoken. The last thing he’d been expecting to hear out here was an English accent.
He looked around to the guy who was standing by the reception desk to his left. Then Trent blinked. Wow. That guy was beautiful. There was no other way to describe it, even if he was a dude. Tall, slim, pale blond hair that flopped over in a neat side part, high cheekbones and a bright, open smile. Designer jeans clung to his narrow hips and a cashmere sweater hung off his torso and arms.
Model, Trent thought immediately. But he immediately reconsidered when the guy threw up his hands, then dropped to the floor with absolutely no regard for his couture and opened his arms up for Trent’s puppy.
“Who’s a good boy? You are, yes you are!” the Brit cried, letting the puppy scramble and slobber all over him. “Good lord, he’s adorable. What’s his name?”
Trent looked down into a pair of teal-green eyes, wide with excitement. This guy was completely uncaring of the fact everyone was looking at him. He just smiled at Trent like he was the only person in the room.
Trent frowned. He didn’t have the energy for this. Did the guy recognize him? Was he flirting? He was obviously gay and Trent didn’t feel like breaking any hearts before he’d even had the inevitable row with his dad.
He glanced up at the rest of the room. Luckily, the same old country music was playing quietly over the sound system, so it wasn’t completely awkward with no one talking. He gave a tight smile to the people loitering around. Strangely, he wasn’t sure anyone recognized him. There were a couple of grandparents with a bespectacled kid under five making their way to the restaurant, probably for lunch. A dude in a white Stetson turned to a bellboy to ask a question, and a group of three middle-aged women in skiwear was sitting around the fireplace on sofas with hot drinks. They were all looking because this Brit was causing a scene and, to be fair, the puppy was adorable enough to grab anyone’s attention. But Trent didn’t spy that hungry look of recognition he usual got from fans.
He relaxed just a fraction, then looked down at the Brit. He was still gazing up at Trent as he played with the puppy.
Oh, right. He’d asked Trent a question. “No name, yet,” he said in a low rumble. “Excuse me.”
He knew it was rude, but he was so on edge he thought he might lash out or fall apart if he had to deal with any unnecessary distractions. He just needed to speak to his dad, then he could think about other people. If the Brit did know who he was and blabbed on Twitter, Barry could sweep that kind of thing away easily. Trent wasn’t here to make friends.
He tugged the puppy away from the guy and dragged his suitcases over to the desk. Luckily, the conversations around him were picking up again, so he didn’t feel everyone was listening in.
“Trent!” the girl behind reception said in delight. “So nice to see you again!”
Trent glanced down at her tag. He felt awful that the name ‘Kadie’ rang absolutely no bells for him. But it had been, what? Four years since he last came here? She looked to be in her mid-thirties, so probably had been here when he’d visited as a teen with his head in the clouds.
Trent smiled, though. He didn’t want to be an asshole, after all. He’d promised Barry he wasn’t going to turn into that person.
“Hi, Kadie,” he said. “My dad said he’d organized my accommodation. Do you have the key?”
Kadie obviously knew exactly how famous Trent was, but she was doing her best to be professional. Her smile was so wide it looked painful, and she was a little breathless as she spun around to get Trent what he needed.
“Yes, of course,” she said. “It’s Cabin Three and you’ve got it for as long as you need. The usual tenant left a couple of months ago. We love you – I mean – we’d love to have you as long as you like. Here. Really.”
She went pink and pressed the key into his hand. “Thanks,” Trent said. He couldn’t help but smile at her and she giggled softly.
No. He wasn’t even going to think about messing around with that sweet girl. No more broken hearts. So, he dropped the smile and pocketed the key. “Dad in the store?” he grunted.
“Um, yes, I think so,” said Kadie, her smile only faltering a little. She was a professional, after all.
Trent nodded. “See you later, Kadie,” he said.
He turned to find the Brit standing behind him, patiently waiting to presumably speak to Kadie again. He had his hands in his pockets and the dazzling exuberance from before was gone. He looked downcast, only offering Trent a small twitch of his lips.
“Sorry I petted your puppy without asking,” he said, stepping around Trent to get to Kadie.
Trent opened his mouth to say there wasn’t any need to apologize. But the guy was already speaking to Kadie in soft tones about something, the spa possibly? He laced his long fingers together on the desk and hunched his shoulders.