“Don’t be afraid to use it. A Crasher will get rid of him for you.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, nerves bubbling inside my chest. “I hope no one ever used Date Crashers on me.”
She gives me a wicked smile and then winks. “You’d never know.”
“And this is why I hate dating,” I groan.
I strip off my shirt and pants and lower the dress over my head.
Willow stares at me in the mirror and gives me a thumbs up in approval. “You look hot, babe. Check out that ass in this dress.” She gives my backside a hard smack that causes me to jump forward with a yelp. “You’ll knock him dead. Don’t worry about using Date Crashers. After Kevin gets one look at you, he’ll need to call 911.”
I take a few deep breaths and let them out, hoping I don’t need an exit strategy. But after the day I’ve had, I might.
I search the hotel bar for a man in his mid-thirties, tall with sandy blond hair and gray eyes. We were supposed to meet at the Fountain Bar before dinner. Kevin is not here.
So, I take a seat at the bar and order a cosmopolitan—Willow’s signature drink. The bartender slides the glass in front of me. I take a sip, and the sweet scent of cranberry and lime fills my nostrils.
“Excuse me, miss?” Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I glance over. “Are you Harley McQueen?”
A balding man, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and purple tie, flashes a closed-mouth smile at me. The name tag on his jacket reads, Chris Swanson, Hotel Manager.
“Yes,” I say, somewhat nervous. “I’m Harley McQueen.”
Oh, no, did Kevin use Date Crashers on me?
“Mr. Fredrick is on his way.” He extends his arm toward the door. “If you could follow me.”
“How come Kevin isn’t here?” I ask the hotel manager as we walk through the lobby.
“Mr. Fredrick is running late. He asked me to show you to his usual table.”
This feels like my childhood all over again. Another workaholic who has other people do his bidding for him. I knew we both were career-driven and wanted similar things, but this side of Kevin reminds me too much of my father. After my mom left, my dad practically lived in his office at Queen Takes King. Without Nate by my side, I would have had a miserable childhood. Nate made the worst days bearable.
We enter the restaurant located on the south side of the hotel and climb a flight of stairs to the second floor. I stare down at the people below us, taking in the scent of herbs and spices floating in the air. The manager leads me to a large, circular booth at the far corner of the balcony, out of sight from other patrons. The setting is so private, intimate. It’s hands-down the best seat in the house.
“I’ll send your waitress over,” he says with his hands clasped in front of him. “Mr. Fredrick will arrive shortly.”
I force a nervous smile, hoping he doesn’t notice my quivering lip. “Thank you.”
Deep breaths, Harley. I hate that my mind instantly goes to that dark place, where everyone has abandoned me, and I’m stuck here alone and miserable. I dig my cell phone from my purse to text Willow. My best friend always knows what to do in any situation. She’s so calm and confident, I wish some of her energy would rub off on me.
“Welcome to Pinnacle,” a woman says, her voice so loud it pierces my eardrum.
I jump, startled by the intrusion, and peek up at a young brunette, who’s standing at my side. She has her hair pulled up into a high ponytail off her heart-shaped face, dressed in a fitted black dress shirt and matching pants that hug her curves.
She cups my shoulder and laughs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
I blow out a deep breath. “It’s okay. I didn’t hear you coming.”
“I’m Karla,” she says, sliding her hand off my shoulder to remove a pad and pen from her pocket. “And I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Can I get you a beverage?”
“My date isn’t here yet.”
She waves off my concern. “Our signature drink is the Pinnacletini. It’s our version of an apple martini. If you prefer wine, I can show you the wine list, or if you’re in the mood for something fruity, we also have a strawberry and banana daiquiri that’s incredible.”
I raise my glass. “I’m still nursing my cosmo.”
She presses her glossed lips together and smiles. “Sure, let me know if you need anything.”
Before she turns away, I say, “Do you wait on Mr. Frederick often?” The words fall from my lips before I even realize it.
“When I’m working, yes. He’s one of our regulars.” She fidgets as if she’s said too much. “Well, I’m sure Mr. Frederick will be here soon.”