the lady. You’d think she’d show disgust, but the look in her eyes proves she’s a mom, and a good one.
“Is this man bothering you, Miss?” she requests, eyeing Toby with unspoken disappointment.
“Oh look, babe,” he jests. “This hostess thinks I’m bothering you.” Babe? And I thought this couldn’t possibly get worse. Pet names can be cute, but starting with Gumby, going to troll, and ending with babe? Hard fucking pass.
“No, ma’am,” I return to the lady, spotting her name tag. Cheryl. “Thank you, Cheryl. For being kind.” Reaching into Toby’s back pocket, hoping there’s a wallet there and not a random grope from me, I feel it. Opening it, I take two twenties out of the top, noticing he has way too much cash on him. She shakes her head when I try to hand them to her, but I insist. “Please, my dad didn’t raise a woman of freebies.”
Understanding flickers in her eyes, and she takes the cash. Toby doesn’t say a thing as I stuff the wallet back in his pocket. “Thanks, old man. Till next time,” I mock, returning his smug grin as I yank my bag from his hands. Giving him a two-finger salute, I pass by him without a second glance.
Let’s hope I can make it to Francis’s house before retching again. The hotel doors open before I have the chance to reach them, the bellhop keeping the entrance clear so I can tote my bag along. As I make my way to the valet, I hear him call after me.
“Hey!”
He doesn’t use my name, and it’s only now sprung on me that he hasn’t said my name once this morning. What’s his name? Fuck. I’ve never had a one-night stand. Is that what last night was?
“I need to get back home,” I respond, not turning toward him. His hand clamps on my elbow, stopping me in my spot outside the main building doors.
“I’m sorry for being a dick,” he says, almost sounding earnest. If not for his constant joking behavior, I’d believe him. But I’ve met men like him. Ones who tend to be from my father’s dinners, but similar all the same. He rubs a thumb across his chin, his eyes imploring and apologetic. Fakeness can be hidden in the hottest men and most beautiful women. My trust isn’t asked for, it’s earned.
“I don’t have time for this,” I reply sharply, the prickliness evident in each word. And it’s the truth. I don’t. Francis and Gray are probably worried. Shit. Where’s my cell phone? Putting a finger up to silence the rebuttal I know is coming from him, I place my bag on the concrete and search inside. When I spot it, I mentally chastise myself for being so dumb. I’d be put back a lot if I lost it. Especially without a job. Trying to unlock it fails and the screen stays black.
“Goddammit,” I curse, hating myself even more. I’ve been careless. Really fucking careless.
“Need any help?” he offers, forcing my gaze up to his. I bet he loves this, me practically on my knees at his feet, his benevolent face peering down at me with all the power. He probably gets off on it. As if answering my question, he smiles. “Guess not.”
I flip him off, raising myself to find my claim card. Turning away from him without a goodbye, I find the valet and hand him the ticket.
“Leaving so soon?” he asks with a cheerful smile.
“What does it look like she’s doing? Standing there like an idiot?” my one-night fuck deadpans.
I turn toward him, grumbling under my breath, “Don’t be such a shithead. He’s only doing his job.”
“He’s obviously flirting with you,” he argues, and when I turn to the valet, he’s blushing.
“I’ll be back,” the valet mutters uncomfortably.
“See,” he grouses.
I try my best to ignore him but can’t. People who are dicks just for the sake of being a dick irk me more than people who litter the streets. My eyes meet his, and his are full of amusement while I hope mine are filled with malice.
“You need a reality check—” I go to say his name but don’t recall it.
“Toby,” he offers, “but you can call me boss.” I eye him, my mind not connecting the dots.
“—Toby. People work to live. That’s what he’s trying to accomplish. Plus, you’re not my man, let alone a man who has any right to tell me whom I talk to.” He’s smiling so big it’s aggravating me further and flustering