King Me (King Me Duet 1)

“Did you want to say you’re welcome?” I asked.

She gave me a snide reaction. “No. I’m being nice and telling you not to leave your truck there.”

“Thanks, but I’ll only be a minute. And I don’t expect a ‘you’re welcome’.”

Though she was cute, I was about to dismiss her and follow after my brother when she spoke again. “You’re going to get towed.”

I stopped. “Thanks again for the warning, but again I won’t be that long.”

I didn’t get a step further when she added, “This is New York. I won’t be able to stop them from towing it.”

“Fine,” I said, not waiting for her to say any more as I grew impatient to get inside.

I needed to get to Connor before he disappeared around back as I wasn’t sure if I should go back to the house. I’d said what I needed to Royce, though nothing had been resolved.

Inside the hospital, Connor and Lizzy stood in front of a desk further back speaking to an attendant as she keyed in information. When I reached them, she was attaching a wrist band to Lizzy.

Lizzy was opened her mouth to speak when another nurse arrived with a wheelchair for her. She sat on it before holding up a hand. “Liam,” she said.

“Yes.”

“Bailey got you a suite at the Eventi Hotel. It’s under Kalen’s name but you are listed as the guest. Once our baby is here, we can resolve the rest if you’re okay with that?”

“He’s okay. He better be,” Connor said, glaring at me.

I’d arrived on a whim and hadn’t made plans of where exactly I would be staying. I didn’t expect to be in New York for too long, but my plans changed. I was relieved Bailey thought ahead and booked me a hotel to stay longer. It saved me the time in finding accommodation during this pandemic. “Thanks,” I said, though it might have come out more humbly if not for Connor’s scowl.

They wheeled Lizzy through double doors further into the hospital before both disappeared behind them. I headed back the same way I came.

As I stepped out into the frosty air, to my right I see the rest stop woman standing in the same spot with her arms crossed, trying to keep warm.

“I told you I’d only be a minute and my truck is still here.” I gave her my best winning smirk and a wink.

She didn’t seem to appreciate what had dazzled most women I’d encountered. “More like five minutes by my watch. You lucked out this time.”

I stopped halfway to my truck as it was strange that she was standing around the front of the hospital. “What are doing here anyway? Is someone you know in hospital?”

“Nope.”

Maybe she was waiting for a cab. I knew what my mother would do in this situation. “You know, I’m probably wasting my time, but what the hell. Can I offer you a ride or something? It’s freezing out here.”

There was nothing sweet about her smile. “If you weren’t so arrogant, I might have taken a ride. I’d also need somewhere to go.”

I wasn’t sure I heard her correctly. “Why are you waiting out here if you have nowhere to go?”

“Not that it’s any of your business…” Her teeth practically chattered as she spoke with puff of clouds emitted after every word, but she continued. “My roommate situation fell through because of what’s going on and every hotel I’ve called is booked.”

For the second time that day, I found myself speaking before thinking. “Damn. If I wasn’t so arrogant,” I said, repeating her words, “I might have offered to let you crash in my suite.” Why had I said that?

She tossed her head back and laughed, the belly aching kind. “And if that was the opening to a slasher movie, I’d accept, but this is New York, and you’re a total stranger.”

It was my turn to laugh. “True. I am more of a stranger than a roommate who left you out in the cold.” I shrugged, making my point.

She rolled her eyes. “Maybe not. But there was a rental agreement and stuff.”

“A rental agreement that apparently holds no weight, leaving you to freeze.” I shook my head and moved to my truck. I smiled to myself as I heard her footsteps behind me.

“Wait,” she called out as I reached for the door handle.

I turned to her, folding my arms across my chest. She came up just short of running into me. I arched a brow in question.

“If I took you up on your offer, what would you want in return?” There was a desperate look on her face. I could have been in her situation if not for Lizzy and Bailey. That didn’t mean I appreciated her suggestion.

Though she was bundled up, I gave her a once over to make a point. “You’re cute and all, but I don’t have to beg women to be in my bed. Besides, who said I was offering?”