Page 62 of Before and After

“I have to go.” Allie rose and set the popcorn on the desk. “You keep that. I need to go and get Ollie.”

I reached out and touched her hand without thinking. “I’ll see you later.”

Her gaze moved over my face, a small smile on her lips. “You will, Broody.”

Chapter 15

Allie

Itried to start my RAV4.

Nothing. Just a sad, teeth-rattling grind.

“Dammit.” I smacked the steering wheel. I needed to get back to the hotel for my double shift.

At least I wasn’t late to get Ollie. We’d made burgers for dinner, and I’d had the joy of listening to him prattle on about a new TV show he liked. I’d even gotten a few giggles. He was now bathed and in his LEGO pajamas. Mrs. Jenkins had already arrived, and I’d left the two of them reading his favorite book. I knew he’d con her into two or three more.

Crap. I was going to be late for my shift. If I ran, I could still make it. I grabbed my backpack, locked my RAV4, then set off down the sidewalk.

As a kid, I’d loved running. I’d been a member of the cross-country team in high school. I broke into a steady pace, and soon my muscles warmed up and I lengthened my stride. I had no time to run anymore, and I couldn’t leave Ollie alone even if I did.

I was actually enjoying myself when I turned the corner and the Langston Windward came into view. Slowing to a walk, I took a few deep breaths and let myself into the staff entrance.

“Hi, Allie.” Justin, one of the evening crew, shot me a smile. I didn’t know this team as well as mine. “Haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Hi, Justin. I’m filling in. Jenn’s kids have the flu.”

I met the rest of the crew and assigned everyone their rooms for evening turn-down service. I rechecked the stock levels, then joined some of the team to clean windows in the lobby. We often saved some of the common area jobs for the night shift.

The hours moved by quickly. I wondered what the ESG were doing this evening. My nose wrinkled. Was Caden still listening to the bug?

Crossing the lobby after sweeping up the remnants of a broken vase, the back of my neck began to itch and I heard loud voices.

I swiveled. The ESG. They were loud as they entered, and they had guests with them.Surprise, surprise.

I leaned against my broom and watched them.

God, the girls with them looked young. I couldn’t blame them for wanting to have a good time. I assessed the girls to make sure no one was under the influence. They all seemed steady.

Then I realized Blake was looking at me. I couldn’t manage a smile. Not knowing what I knew now about him and his friends.

His charming smile dissolved, and there was a look on his face that I couldn’t decipher. Then he and the group disappeared into the Bluff Bar.

Shaking my head, I forced myself to get back to work.

Soon, my shift was finished. I took a quick shower in the locker room, and pulled on the long skirt, sweater, and boots I’d packed in my backpack. I pulled a face. Crap, I had no vehicle to get home, and this wasn’t exactly the right outfit to jog home in. I might have to get an Uber.

Something made me detour to the conference room. Sure enough, I found Caden sitting there.

“Hey.”

He looked up. “Shift okay?”

“Fine. No vomit to clean up, which is always a plus. The evening crew are all experienced. They could probably run the shift better than me.”

“I doubt that.”

“Nothing on the bug, I’m guessing? I just saw the ESG heading into the bar, and it looked like they’d been out.”