Fated Hearts (Southern Bride 8)

“Holy shit!” Truitt said, laughing. “Tell me she was pretty, at least.”

I glanced back at the door Annalise had just walked through. “Yeah, she’s pretty alright. And a pain in the ass.”

“Okay, why do I feel like there’s more to this story?”

“Because there is. They don’t have any open rooms—no hotels around the airport do because of all the stranded travelers. So, we’re sharing the room.”

The line was silent for a moment. “You’re sharing a hotel room with a stranger?”

“Yep. A gorgeous, hot-as-hell, stubborn-woman-who-likes-competitions stranger.”

“Do I even want to know what you’ve already challenged her to?”

“It was just some running. The little minx didn’t tell me she’d won state in cross-country in high school and went to college on a track scholarship until after we’d made the bet.”

Truitt laughed. “I like this girl. Where’s she from?”

“No clue.”

“What does she do for a living?”

“I’m not sure.”

With a grunt, he asked, “Do you at least know her last name?”

“Yes, I know her last name. That’s about all I know of her, and all I care to know.”

“Well, it looks like Chicago is getting pounded with snow, and it’s forecasted to last well into tomorrow, so you might want to get to know her a little better if y’all are gonna be bunking. I can’t wait to tell Ryan.”

I rolled my eyes and went over to the workout bench. Ryan was one of our best friends and happened to be the brother of Truitt’s wife, Saryn.

“Get a good kick out of it now while I’m not there.”

“Are you sleeping on the sofa?”

“Hell, no! It’s like a love seat. We slept in the same bed. It’s a king.”

“Wait. You’re sleeping with a pretty—”

“Gorgeous. And hot. Did I mention she has a fucking amazing body?”

Truitt chuckled. “You mentioned something along those lines. Anyway, you’re sharing a bed with her?”

“It’s not what you’re thinking. She made a pillow barrier between us. Although,” I said with a grin, “I did wake up this morning spooning her. Not sure how in the hell that happened.”

Truitt busted out laughing. “Holy hell. You’re gonna have blue balls by the time you get back home.”

I laughed. “Probably. Anyway, this couple invited us out to eat with them tonight. I think I might have hurt Annalise’s feelings by turning them down.”

“Why did you turn them down?”

Scoffing, I replied, “I don’t want her to think it’s a date.”

“For fuck’s sake, Roger. You’re stuck in a hotel room with her. You’re never going to see her again. Why would she think it was a date?”

I shrugged, even though he couldn’t see me. “I don’t know. The other couple is clearly fixin’ to hook up. They met in the gym while Annalise and I were trying to see who could outrun the other.”

“That’s kind of cool.”

“What? That the other couple met like that?”

“Yeah, it’s cool.”

“If you say so.”

I heard him sigh. “Just go to dinner. What harm is it gonna do? If you’re stuck in Chicago, you might as well deal with it and have a good time.”

“I guess. Anyway, I’ll let you go.”

“Roger…you know it’s okay to be attracted to someone in more than a physical way. It’s been how many years since—?”

“Don’t. Don’t say her name, Truitt.”

The silence over the phone was deafening.

“That has nothing to do with this,” I continued.

“Right. Well, hopefully, a miracle will happen, and the storm will move out, and you’ll be on your way back to Texas tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Hopefully. Kiss the kids for me.”

“I will. Talk to you later.”

Hitting End, I stood and took in a few deep breaths. I would take the long way back up to our room and hope that it gave Annalise enough time to shower and change.

“God help me,” I whispered as I headed out of the gym.

Annalise

IT HAD BEEN an hour since I’d left the gym. Surely Roger couldn’t still be working out? I glanced at the clock and sighed.

I didn’t want to admit it at the time, but when Roger declined dinner, it made my heart drop with disappointment, and that had both surprised me and made me a bit angry. Not that he’d declined the dinner but the fact that his refusal hurt.

Grabbing my purse and the hotel key, I decided to head down to the sports bar in the lobby to see about an early lunch.

When I walked in, I noticed all the TVs had different sports games playing. High tables were spread throughout the room, with a large bar running along the back, and more TVs mounted above all the glasses and liquor.

I decided to sit at the bar since it was just me. I drew closer but paused when I saw Roger. He was already sitting there, and next to him was a young woman. She smiled and placed her hand on his arm as she laughed. I pulled my gaze from the point of contact and cleared my throat, walking toward the opposite end of the bar. Roger hadn’t seen me, of course; he was too busy flirting with the young blonde to even notice me walk by.