Heartless Hunk - Ann Omasta Page 0,13

We should go there together.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I even had a chance to process them.

What the hell was wrong with me? Why would I be trying to make future plans with this woman when we hadn’t even been on an official date?

“Soraya would love it there,” she responded, efficiently shutting down my over-exuberant invitation.

“You both would,” I agreed, trying not to let my hurt feelings show.

She was practically bouncing in the driver’s seat as she thought about going to Hershey. “How far is it from the city?”

“It seemed like a long ride in the car, but I was just a kid.” I pulled out my phone to get her a more specific answer. After typing the two locations into my maps program, I said, “Looks like it’s just under a three-hour drive.”

“Seriously? That’s all?” Vi squealed before adding, “I’m going to plan a girls’ trip there with Soraya.”

“Great idea.” I tried, but failed, to insert some enthusiasm into my voice.

I couldn’t understand why I so desperately wanted her to include me in her plans to visit Hershey. It didn’t make any sense, but I was extremely jealous that she wanted to go there with her friend, rather than me.

Not seeming to sense my bitter envy, Vi said excitedly, “Tell me everything you remember about it.”

Her enthusiasm was contagious, so I grinned as I leaned back on the headrest and began sharing every detail my mind could muster about the chocolate-lover’s paradise.

Before long, we exited the highway and followed the signs towards Brunswick Bay Harbor. When we pulled into the quaint inn’s parking lot, it became obvious that the rumors about me were not true. I couldn’t possibly be heartless because the supposedly-missing organ was desperately trying to beat its way right out of my chest.

13

Violet

I gaped at the elderly innkeeper, trying to absorb his words. Shaking my head, I said, “No, there’s been a misunderstanding. We need two rooms.”

Although the bushy-browed man gave me an understanding look over his wire-rimmed glasses, his words did nothing to help me. “Sorry, ma’am. We’re booked solid. It’s one room or nothing.”

“Perhaps another hotel in the area has a room available,” Oliver suggested helpfully, but the man immediately shot down that idea.

“You can try,” the desk clerk said skeptically before adding, “But the leaf peepers have invaded the area. Everything near the coast is booked.”

I couldn’t believe Soraya had done this. When I had mentioned how much I had to do before leaving on this trip, she had quickly offered to take care of the car rental and hotel reservations for me. She had done this on purpose to try to force me into a fling with Oliver. Ugh!

Just as I was considering the ways I could get even with my friend, Oliver made what he probably considered to be a rational suggestion. “Perhaps one of us could stay with your mother?”

My flighty mother and I would be at each other’s throats within minutes if I stayed under her roof, and it wasn’t fair to make Oliver stay alone at someone’s house that he’d never even met. Quickly deciding that wasn’t a viable option, I said, “One would think so, but that would end up being a total disaster.”

Giving the man behind the counter a brittle smile, I said, “We’ll take the room, but we need two beds.”

He shook his head solemnly, but I saw the smile quirk up the edges of his lips. “We’re fresh out of rooms with two beds, but I can give you one with a king-sized mattress for plenty of rolling-around room.”

My mouth fell open as I glared at the old codger over his inappropriate, risqué suggestion.

He cleared his throat and quickly amended his statement. “Err, I mean it will provide plenty of space between the two of you.”

I wasn’t sure what else to do. Turning around and driving back to the city wasn’t an option. I was tired and needed to sleep. Besides, we didn’t travel all of this distance to tuck tail and go home without accomplishing anything.

Glaring back and forth between the two sheepish men, I finally snapped. “Fine. We’ll take it.”

When I saw the two males share a sly grin, I shook a finger in Oliver’s face. “But no funny business. You got that?”

Oliver held up his palms as if he was completely innocent, rather than the handsy player we both knew him to be. When I angled my narrow-eyed, angry stare up at him, he gulped and nodded