Page 6 of Rockstar Baby

There was a good chance I was going to do bodily harm to Kellan when we met up tomorrow. First, he wouldn’t let me spend the night at his place, then he sends mehere?The guy was parked on a piece of ice so thin he could see his own reflection.

Oliver led me to my room and set down my lone bag, all the while commenting on the amenities in a brutally pleasant voice.

I didn’t pay him much mind. The room itself was actually quite nice, with the aforementioned fireplace already going and the King sized bed turned down. I moved to the window and tried not to grimace at the snow. It still hadn’t ceased. At least I could walk to the diner from here. Better to fall on my ass than to slide into another vehicle.

Assuming I saw any.

“Room service has ended for the evening but it resumes again at eight a.m. If you’re up before then, there’s a complimentary continental—”

“I’ll be up and out of here by then.” I smiled thinly. “Hoping to have my meeting first thing in the morning.”

If Kellan cooperated. If not, I’d amuse myself in town until he was available rather than lay about eating sausage links and miniature boxes of cereal.

“Suit yourself. Hope you enjoy your stay at The Hummingbird’s Nest.” Without so much as another smile, Oliver was gone.

Clearly, I wasn’t the only dour sort around.

I used the facilities—large clawfoot tub and separate shower stall, I noted, along with piles of thick soft towels—and unpacked my toiletries. I left my glasses behind on the dresser and my clothes in my suitcase, although I put on a heavier sweater under my thin jacket. Then I was out the door again and headed downstairs.

Sage wasn’t at the desk. Nor was she hiding behind it. In fact, a bell had been set upon it with a sign.

Ring for service. Desk will be staffed at seven a.m.

Did she have a room here herself? Did the bell somehow sound over her bed?

Shaking my head, I stepped out into the storm, drawing my collar in tight. I descended the icy steps and hurried up the street, my mind already on my stomach. The town itself was a postcard vision in icy white, with the soft glow of lights against windows here and there reminding me just how alone I was.

Starkly alone. Not just here, but essentially on the planet. If I disappeared, my family wouldn’t realize for days or weeks. And I wasn’t even sure they’d care if they did.

What the hell was it about this place, making me think such maudlin thoughts? That wasn’t me. Then again, passing that partially frozen over lake in the hushed darkness could make anyone uneasy.

This was why I preferred the hustle and bustle of the city. Less room for me and my thoughts.

I rushed past the closed souvenir shop and another for women’s clothing and accessories, then grasped the ice cold handle to the diner with a sigh of relief.

Finally.Maybe this place would have some life. A distraction for my far too busy brain.

I opened the door and glanced around at the tidy, well-worn booths. Empty, every one of them.

Great.

Elvis’sThe Wonder of Youcame from an honest to God jukebox at the back of the room. One of my father’s favorites. Seemed to be an auspicious sign.

Despite my rumbling belly, I almost turned around and walked back out. I’d shifted to debate doing just that when a friendly voice rang out behind me.

“We’re still open, don’t worry. Sorry, I was in back making tomorrow’s bread. Missed a delivery because of the storm. Table or booth?”

Her voice. Christ. It was like a melody, but a discordant one. A little husky, a little broken, with an edge of fatigue she couldn’t quite cover with the layer of false cheer.

I pivoted back to face her and couldn’t quite match up that raspy voice with the long red braids and pouty mouth slicked with pink gloss. She wore a tight top and tighter pants, the bellbottom kind that hung over her shoes. Platforms, I thought they were called. Not exactly work attire, even if she had a sloppily tied apron on over her outfit.

“Got called in unexpectedly,” she said, correctly reading my thoughts. “No one else could make it in because of the storm.”

“And you were on a modeling job when you were called away?”

She tilted her head. “Have you been drinking?”

I crossed my arms. “Hear the Irish in my voice and that’s what you think, hmm?”