Dirty Sweet Cowboy

“You’re sure you’re all right?” he asks. His voice is thick and smooth, like something sweet. Like something delicious to eat .

I somehow manage to nod and pull away slightly, thankful that I’m still standing upright, hopeful that I’m not actually bleeding or anything like that .

“Totally fine, just didn’t see the bag. The light was so bright I guess .”

“Well, if you’re sure,” he says, straightening up and releasing me. He gives us each a polite nod and another glimpse of his smile before walking away. Bea halfway hangs out in the hallway, watching his thighs and buttocks churn in his Armani slacks .

“Oh my God,” Bea sighs .

“That’s him,” is all I can say .

“I know, sweetie,” Bea coos sympathetically, tugging me by my elbow. She leans toward the small hallway table and picks up a box. “Look! Chocolate !”

“What?” I ask vaguely, looking at the box. Then I remember to look around. The room isn’t just a room—it’s a suite. We stand in the living room, gawking at the luxurious, oversized furnishings .

“Well, jeez, this is way better than a queen-sized room,” I observe .

“We have a balcony!” Bea cheers, skipping toward the wide row of windows and sliding doors .

“And separate rooms!” I call out, happy to think there will be ample privacy between us .

“Man, this is nice!” she yelps, hanging briefly in her bedroom’s doorway before trotting back toward me. She takes a quick detour and yanks open the honor bar door. “Look!” she squeals. “Champagne !”

“What? Really ?”

I hear the unmistakable pop as she immediately opens the bottle, before I can even ask if we can afford it. She pours two glasses and hands me one with a wink .

“Cheers,” she smiles, tapping her glass against mine. “You know what this means, right, Ava ?”

I take a careful sip, feeling the bubbles tickling my nose .

“What does it mean ?”

“It’s a sign, Ava!” she chirps. “All this… it’s a sign! Great things are gonna happen to us this weekend !”

Chapter 23

ETHAN

I hear the sound of the door closing and walk the other way, while little strands of their voices continue looping through my mind. There was something incredibly familiar about that woman, wasn’t there? Or are they all just a little bit the same ?

I’ve always had a thing for her type, but she really had me going. Those hips, the way she was practically spilling out of that conservative button-down top… Yes. Definitely my type of girl .

And a little too easy in my arms, honestly. It was so simple to catch her before she hit the floor, like I’d done it a million times. I almost felt like I’ve really looked at her before. Probably just a common look. Bright blue eyes, caramel-colored hair… not an unusual sight in San Francisco, for sure .

When I saw her coming up to the executive suite, she took me aback. No one else is supposed to be on this floor today. I’ve got a speech to prepare for. At first I was annoyed, but then sort of amused because it looked like she was going to stumble straight over the luggage in the hallway. Then when she did, I’m not really sure what came over me. Instincts took control, and I automatically reached out to retrieve her, right before she landed on the floor. She just fell right into my hands, like a bird falling out of a tree .

But I don’t

have time to think about that now. I stare at my laptop, trying to refresh my memory of the last few slides in the presentation. It’s the same old same old, but I like to keep it fresh. People expect me to say things like follow your dream. Work hard. It’ll all happen for you if you are ambitious and worthy .

I know that it’s complete horseshit .

The truth is, you can work the same amount and still spend your life digging ditches and flipping hamburgers. CEOs don’t work harder than bowling alley cashiers or nurses. What really separates us is luck. I just got lucky .

Who wants to hear me give a speech about that ?

Perry comes in to the presidential suite. I hear him in the parlor, refilling the ice buckets and making himself useful .