Kissed Blind (A Hot Pursuit Novel Book 2) (21 page)

Twenty-Four

The week had crept by, but I’d finally arrived at the end of it. We’d gotten off the set early to leave for sunny California, and Cici had handed me a packet of information. I studied the itinerary—the very detailed itinerary—with spreadsheets, maps of the city, the buildings we’d be visiting, and the path we’d walk on the red carpet. Virtually every minute of our time was allocated and accounted for. We were going to be busy, and that was a good thing. As much as I wanted to dislike Cici, she was good at her job.

Cici had booked us hotel rooms at some place called
The Hollywood Roosevelt
. Based on Becca’s reaction when I told her, I needed to be excited about it. I’d gone online and peeked at the property and the rooms. In the downtime we did have, I could take a dip in the pool and maybe have a fruity cocktail with an umbrella sticking out of it in the lounge.

Camille and Oliver managed to not turn too many heads as we made our way through the airport. Camille had worn the same disguise she had the first time we met, a short black wig and large sunglasses. Oliver had thrown on a Dodger’s hat and had kept his head down. With the exception of the security agents, no one noticed them.

We boarded our flight, and a flood of familiarity flew up my nose; a smell that was a mixture of chemicals and stale air, equal parts comfort and offense blended together in a bizarre cocktail. It may have been a working trip, but the smell of an airplane would always stir excitement in my belly. I was going somewhere and anywhere but here was where I wanted to be.

Vance and I approached our seats in first class.

“You can take the window seat,” he mumbled, pointing to the seat in our row and avoiding looking at me. “I need the extra leg room.”

He wasn’t being nice or thoughtful. True, Vance was well over six feet tall and could extent his long legs into the aisle for added comfort, but he also had a slight fear of flying. He wasn’t giving me the seat by the window; he didn’t want it. Since we weren’t speaking, I accepted his offer without razzing him, but I wanted to. I missed Vance and our playful banter. Being angry with him had become a second full-time job. I’d been silly and trite but wasn’t sure how to climb the wall I’d built for myself. I had a few hours to figure it out.

I shoved my carry-on in the overhead bin and slid into my seat. Vance settled next to me. Cici coincidentally sat across from him. I’d heard them chatting throughout the flight despite the headphones I’d buried in my ears. I shut my eyes and pretended to sleep. When we landed in California, I’d managed to not speak to Vance at all and hadn’t begun to work out how to make things better between us yet. I hoped the perfect moment would present itself, and the right words would fall from my lips.

A few shutterbugs snapped shots of Camille and Oliver as they made their way to baggage claim. Two separate drivers awaited us and tended to our bags, and two separate cars sat at the curb outside. Oliver and Camille went to their home in the hills accompanied by Cici in one car, and Vance and I headed to our hotel in the other. We had our evening free to get settled and rest.

I got into the backseat of a black SUV, and Vance followed behind me. We drove along for about twenty minutes before I gathered enough courage to speak. “You survived the flight I see.” Yes, these were the profound words I’d settled on to fix everything. He’d probably stepped in deeper puddles.

“Oh, so you’re talking to me now?” Vance looked out his window.

Nope, the soles of his shoes hadn’t gotten wet. “We’re here. Can we forget about what’s happening at home for a while?”

He drew in a breath and exhaled as he threw up his hands. “I don’t even know what’s going on at home. You’ve hardly said five words to me all week.”

“I’m going through a rough patch.”

“A rough patch? All I knew was we had a nice time at my parent’s house, and the next time I saw you, you were a quiet rage machine and you have been all week.”

Maybe I was wrong to have brought this up in a car with an audience. I’m sure the driver was leaning in to hear the colorful conversation about to take place. I sighed. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything.” I looked out at a six lane highway and leaned forward to speak to the driver. “How long will it be to the hotel?”

“It depends on traffic, Miss. Not long now, just relax. We’ll be there shortly.”

It wasn’t the answer I was looking for. I needed specifics so I could count the minutes till I was free from the uncomfortable prison I’d shut myself in. I slumped back in my seat and tried to take in the scenery. Unfortunately, it wasn’t much more than industrial areas followed by sketchy areas. I wanted to drop the conversation with Vance anyhow, anyway.

Vance loosened his collar and shook his head. “No you don’t.”

“No I don’t what?” I bit the inside of my cheek and glanced at him out of the side of my eye.

“You don’t get to try to change the topic like that. What’s going on with you? I’m trying to think of what I did or said that was so bad that you wouldn’t even tell me.”

“Well, like I said before, maybe it doesn’t involve you.” I kept the silly ruse going. The conversation would take far longer than the remaining car ride would allow. I should have never brought it up.

He pursed his lips. “That’s bullshit and you know it.”

I shut my eyes and exhaled a large breath, puffing out my cheeks. “Gabe and I broke up.”

He leaned his head back against the headrest and groaned. “Ugh, again?”

“Again?” I recoiled. “Thanks for being so supportive.”

“You’ll get back together with him like you always do.” He slouched in his seat and looked back out the window.

“No, I won’t.” I felt like a kid and like my mother had told me to eat my broccoli. “I have all my things from his place. It’s done. Over. Finished.”

He squinted. “Why?”

“We had a fight, a big fight, and that’s that. There’s no going back from this one.” I shrugged. “I won’t inconvenience you with the details.”

He rubbed his face. “It’s just hard. That’s all. It’s not easy watching you constantly get hurt by that guy.”

Little did he know I was the one who’d done the hurting this time. “Well, you won’t have to watch it anymore. So, I’ve had a rough week. I was hoping to forget about life while we’re here.”

“I wish you would have said something rather than treating me the way you have been.”

“Sorry.” I shrugged. “I’m saying something now?”

He rested his back against his door and crossed his arms, mulling something over in his mind. “That’s not it. That’s not all you’ve been upset about. You wouldn’t treat me this way over breaking up with Gabe. There’s more.” He was angry and had every right to be.

“Um, there is…” I began, but the car pulled to a stop.

“We’ve arrived at your destination, The
beautiful
Hotel Roosevelt,” the driver said. “I’ll get your bags and have them taken to your rooms if you’d like to get checked in.”

I gave Vance a quick smile. “Ah, never mind. I’m tired and hungry, and we just got here. We should head in.”

He grabbed the backpack that had been crammed between his feet and opened his door. “You’re right, but this conversation isn’t over.”

He spoke with such certainty my hands tingled, and my chest tightened. I let out a long, slow breath as I exited the car and stood before a towering white building. The lighted words “Hotel Roosevelt” were propped atop the roof in big, tall letters. The scent of jasmine and orange blossoms combined with a hint of exhaust permeated the air. It was wonderful. It was glamourous. It was elegant and held the charm of old Hollywood.

Vance and I walked inside across a deep toffee colored, basket weave tiled floor, flanked by arched pillared openings toward the check-in desk. We were soon handed our keys and took the elevator up to the top. In the hallway, and in neighboring rooms, Vance and I stood at our doors.

“Get cleaned up. We’ll grab a bite poolside. How’s that sound?” Vance said, sliding his card into the slot. He pushed on the handle and stood in his open doorway.

“Sounds great. I’d like that.”

He glanced down at his watch. “Half an hour. And then you owe me an explanation.”

I nodded, and my stomach plummeted as I walked into my room.

Half cream and half gray walls led into my suite. Two large rooms, a bedroom and a living area, were separated by tall, sliding wooden barn doors. I was going to be sleeping in a black canopy bed covered in fluffy white linens. It was going to be all mine for the next thirty-six hours. I spun around, arms open wide, and took it in. Something struck me and I laughed, because it was just that fabulous.

I dove, face first into my bed and breathed it in. I grabbed a pillow and squished it to my chest. I could have easily dozed off, but the bellhop arrived with my bags and roused me from my bed.

I hung my clothes in the closet, set an outfit out from my suitcase on my bed, and hopped in the shower. I had an inexplicable spring in my step I chalked up to my change of venue.

I didn’t bother with makeup—dewy clean skin would suit me fine—and I left my hair wet; drying it would take too long, and Vance would be at my door any second. I rubbed some of the lotion left on the sink on my legs and arms. My skin hadn’t seen the sun in a while so I was paler than I would have liked to have been for shorts, but at least I’d smell good and be moisturized. As I screwed the cap back on the bottle, Vance arrived.

I gathered some things into a small hand bag and looked through the peephole. Vance stood in the hallway recently showered as well. His wet hair had been combed back with his fingers, and his cheeks still held the glow from hot water.

“Hey.” I stepped out and let the door close behind me. “I’m so hungry I can’t wait to see the menu.” I walked away, but when I looked back, Vance wasn’t following. “What are you doing? Come on.” I waved my hand.

“Look at you.” His mouth was agape.

I stopped and looked down. I’d snuck in time to paint my toes before I left, and they were a cute pink. Nothing wrong there. My zipper was closed on my shorts. I twisted my body to check out my behind. Had Mother Nature played a cruel joke because I’d chosen to wear white shorts? No. Were my bra straps showing? No, again. After my once over, nothing in particular struck me as odd. “What?”

He leaned against the wall and released an appreciative sigh. “You look spectacular.”

“Oh.” I blushed and smiled. “I thought I sat in ketchup or something.”

He shook his head faintly. “No, you just caught me off guard.”

“Well, it’s the same old me.” I curtsied.

He shook his head. “No, there’s something different. It’s not your clothes.” He stroked his chin. “But it could be your hair.” He snickered.

“It takes too long to dry. I knew I’d end up keeping you waiting. Besides, if we’re eating poolside, I’ll fit right in, right?”

“Wrong.”

“I swear you’re giving me a complex. What’s wrong with the way I look?”

“Absolutely nothing. It’s every kind of right. Trust me.”

“Oh.” I beamed. “Thanks.”

“Let’s go eat. We have a lot to discuss.” He placed his hand on the small of my back and led me to the elevator.

We were taken to a table for two on the outer edge of the pool. I ordered a glass of pinot grigio, and Vance ordered a beer. The water in the pool glistened in the fading evening light. The sky had been painted a beautiful shade of rose with streaks of tangerine. The temperature was comfortably warm, and the bar played music I could easily hum along with or ignore. I sat back and took it all in. It may not have been a vacation, but it felt like one for the time being.

“So, there are some things we need to discuss,” Vance said, drinking his pale yellow lager.

I let out a quick breath. I’d thought about what I might say while I was in the shower but hadn’t settled on anything. How could I bring up the kiss again? He probably hadn’t given it a second thought since he pushed me out of the way when Cici had arrived on his parent’s driveway. I was going to sound like the biggest kind of stupid.

“Have you had a chance to read through the schedule and maps for tomorrow?” Vance asked sprinkling salt on his coaster. He set his beer down on the granules.

My shoulders relaxed a little. He’d bought me some more time to think. Or maybe he’d forgotten and this is the conversation he’d wanted to have all along. I dared to dream. “Uh, yeah. I read through it before we left.” I spun the skinny stem of my glass between my fingers.

“Right, so given the circumstances with you and Oliver, I think I should lead the way for him on the red carpet and you bring up the rear.”

My eyes shot up. I should have known he would have suspected something was up. I gathered the spit in my mouth and swallowed. “What do you mean ‘given the situation with me and Oliver?’”

“You know the stuff about you two being an item, the stuff that’s been in the papers.”

I tossed my head back. “Oh, right.”

He squinted. “Rrright. So anyway, I’ll get out first and follow Cici as she takes them to the photo spots, autograph signing stations, and interview points.”

“Okay, that makes sense.”