Page 46 of Rogue's Path

“I should warn you. Maverick only makes healthy desserts. It’s probably going to be some sorbet with fruit.”

“Sounds perfect to me.”

“How are you really? I’ve been so involved in this wedding stuff, we haven’t had time to chat. You don’t seem that excited to have a bestseller going. If my book was sitting at the top of all the bestseller lists, I’d be dancing around right now.”

It still is? Usually, if I hit it, I bounce off pretty quickly. My stalker ruined the excitement for me.

“There are rumors that it’s getting made into a television series. Is that true? Because I have a whole cast in mind.”

I don’t know. I haven’t checked my email or any of my sales platforms since I got those flowers.

“Are you okay? You turned a little white.”

Am I? “It’s been a busy weekend.”

“There’s more than that. I can see it. We should—“

Maverick walks back in with two glasses in his hands. “We should what?”

No. There’s no way I want to talk about any of this with the angry man. “We should plan another girls’ night. Cordelia suggested it, and I think it’s a great idea.” As long as there aren’t sexy pirates at this one.

Pirates? That’s dumb. They don’t really even exist anymore.

But I would look great in a big hat with a funny bird on my shoulder. Hmmm. Maybe I should learn to fight with a cutlass.

“If you wanna do something crazy again, you’ll do it at my bar. I’ll close the place down, and you can dance on all the bars you want.”

“That’s not how it works. And why did you only bring two glasses?” Dahlia asks as he sets them down in front of us.

“Because I’ll share yours, Dahl.”

Gag! But he has good taste in dessert—strawberries and cherries covered in hot fudge and pistachio cream. Suddenly, there’s an empty spot in my belly for a few bites.

***

Why did I think my jaw would hurt less when I woke up this morning? I have some aspirin in my purse.

Which I dumped on the couch in the living room. This is one of those times when I’m not sure a suite was the best choice. Now I have to get up and walk all the way there to go get it.

Next time, when Dahlia says let’s go walk off the chocolate, I’m going to say no. Though a little cold, it was an enjoyable walk.

A groan escapes as I push myself out of bed. Before the next bar fight, I'd better take some more fighting lessons.

There are a few hours before I should head down to the Ivy Café. What should I do until—

RED ROSES. How did a vase full of red roses get on the table?

Take a breath. This place puts fresh flowers in every room. There was an arrangement of white roses and tulips when I arrived. Maybe they just changed it.

To red roses?

No. This is an elegant hotel. They would never use bold, bright scarlet like that. Is he here in this room?

Should I run out of the room? Not dressed in my pajamas and a fluffy robe.

Should I search the room for him? Like that ever works well for a woman in a negligee.

Call the front desk. I pick up the letter opener from beside the phone on the desk and call.