Page 6 of Reluctant to Love

3

Eleanor

It’s been exactly zero days since I’ve cried because of Roderick. My longest streak? Like, a week? I don’t know. Every day, something reminds me of Roderick and inadvertently, I end up crying.

Tonight, when he apologizes through the door, confessing the mistakes he made, begging for a second chance, I can’t stop the tears. And when he asks for the opportunity to apologize to my face, I show him the pain he’s caused and call a truce.

He’s not the only one with secrets to share. I’m just not ready to spill.

I slide under the covers, exhausted and ready to close my eyes, but I can’t. Instead, I reach for my cell phone and scroll through my contacts. The phone rings four or five times until finally, my mother picks up.

“We were getting worried,” she says a little breathlessly.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I finally made it to the hotel and there was a problem with my room.”

“A problem? What kind of problem?”

“Don’t worry about it, mom. Is the little princess asleep? Can I talk to her?”

“Crashed out about an hour ago. Sorry.”

I close my eyes and wipe away the stray tear traveling down my cheek. “It’s okay. I’ll call tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry about us, sweetheart. Focus on what you’re there to do. We’ll be alright without you for a few days.”

“Thanks mom. Goodnight.”

The call ends and I set my phone on the pillow beside me.

Finally, I sink into the mattress and close my eyes. My mind is temporarily blank from exhaustion and I drift into a dark, dreamless sleep.

When I wake up, my room is blindly bright.

Fuck, I forgot to close the drapery. I sit up and squint, trying to remember the events of last night.

Roderick Payne was my unexpected knight-in-tarnished-armor.

And he wants a second chance.

I flop against the squishy pillows, flinging my arm over my eyes, shielding them from the offensive sunlight and the offensive truth.

Because if I’m being honest, I want a second chance too.

When I finally manage to drag myself from bed, I spy a note written on the hotel’s stationary slipped under the door.

Order room service. Whatever you want. It’s on my publisher. – RP

Spoiled, rich asshole. To think, only a few years ago, he was a nobody and now, well, he’s definitely a somebody.

I open the door and take a tentative step out into the main living area of the suite. It’s quiet but I call out his name, just to make sure I’m really alone. When he doesn’t answer, I start exploring the space, looking for the room service menu because I am starving.

Roderick’s things are sprinkled through the suite, reminding me we’re sharing this space. It’s been so long since we shared anything and now, I’m completely surrounded by him.

While I wait for my breakfast to be delivered, I fish my laptop out of my backpack and open my email. There’s one from my mom.

Hey honey –

Just checked the horoscopes! Thought you might like to read this one: