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The door closes behind her with a decisive click.
Lacey and I stare at each other in stunned silence. She’s still perched on the edge of the sofa, looking like a princess who’s suddenly found herself in the wrong fairy tale. I’m still dripping on the carpet, clutching a hotel towel like it’s the last shred of sanity in this world.
“So,” I finally say quietly, “nice to meet you.”
She looks at me for a long moment, then bursts out laughing. It’s slightly hysterical, but it breaks the tension. “This is absolutely insane,” she manages between her laughter.
“Completely crazy,” I agree, finding myself grinning despite everything. “Think anyone would believe we just met?”
“In a company hotel? With you looking like that?” She gestures to my general state of undress. “We’re lucky Rachel seems to think we can spin it as a romance, so we don’t have to deal with a sex scandal.”
“I was acceptably dressed when I thought I was alone.” I straighten, then quickly grab the slipping towel. “I didn’t know I’d be sharing a room, or I would have at least put on a robe.”
She shakes her head, but she’s smiling.
The silence stretches awkwardly, neither of us knowing where to begin.
“I’ll get dressed,” I finally say because someone has to say something. “And then we can figure this out.”
“Yes. Because apparently, we need to know how we met and fell in love before tonight.” Lacey stands, her professional composure slowly returning. “The coffee maker’s in the kitchenette. I’ll make us both a cup while you change.”
“Right.” I head back toward the bedroom, then pause. “Lacey?”
“Yes?”
“If we’re going to be engaged, you should probably know I take my coffee black.”
This time, her laugh sounds more genuine. “Good to know. I’ll have a cup waiting for you.”
In the bedroom, I find my suitcase exactly where I left it last night, untouched. At least that’s some small proof this really was just a mix-up. I pull on jeans and a black t-shirt, trying to process the last fifteen minutes.
When I emerge, Lacey’s standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, two steaming mugs in hand. She’s staring out at theperfectly manicured company grounds, but I doubt she’s seeing any of it.
“Here you go,” she says, holding out one mug without looking at me.
“By the way, I Googled you while you were changing.” Now she does turn, a slight smile playing on her lips despite everything. “The internet knows surprisingly little about Wild Band’s drummer. Except that you’re the ‘private one’ in the band. There wasn’t anything about your family or—“
“That’s by design.” I accept the coffee, grateful for something to do with my hands. “I’ve always kept my private life private. The guys tease me about it, but...”
“But it’s worked for you,” she finishes. “Until now.”
“Until now,” I agree. “Look, I should probably call Emily, the band’s manager.” I sink into one of the plush armchairs as I continue. “Tell her what’s happened. Maybe she could smooth things over with Family First, so the deal still goes through...”
“The deal’s important to the Wild band?”
“Yes, and not just the band.” I run a hand through my now-drying hair. “They want to develop a whole line of youth music programs. Teaching kids about music and bringing instruments into communities that can’t afford them. It’s—it’s everything I’ve wanted to do with my platform.”
Lacey’s dark eyes soften with understanding. “And now it’s all hanging by a thread because of a hotel mix-up.”
“What about you?” I ask. “Your new film...”
“Opens in three weeks.” She sighs, settling onto the sofa. “It’s my first leading role in a major picture. Family-friendly, of course. The studio’s marketing it as a film for the entire family.”
“And now you’re stuck having to deal with a scandal instead.”
Her laugh holds little humor. “At least this one’s original. Up and coming actress meets rockstar drummer through hotel booking error.”
“Could be worse,” I offer. “At least we’re both single. Imagine if one of us was dating someone.”