or two days. That was impossible. It took longer than that to feel those kinds of emotions toward another person. She didn’t believe in love at first sight, or even friendship at first glance. It took time to build a real relationship.
As if they were both afraid of breaking this weird truce they’d declared, they didn’t speak more than a few words going through customs, grabbing their bags, or making their way outside. Of course he had a car waiting, so it was a quick and painless exit from the busy airport.
She sat away from him in the backseat of the large Lincoln SUV, gazing out at the beautiful lights of San Francisco as they made their way toward the bay. She wasn’t a huge fan of crowds, but this was one of her favorite places. There was so much culture, diversity, and interesting sites in this historic place. She truly hoped it wasn’t all erased by bad policy decisions. People were beginning to flee as it got more and more overpopulated and expensive. Her father had told her of being on the hill with the hippies. She’d been a little horrified to imagine her dad as a free-love spirit.
He’d told her that, sadly, a lot of them had stepped away from the summer of love, grown up, become responsible, and lived the nine-to-five life. He’d looked wistful as he’d told her about it. Her parents hadn’t changed much from those days. Maybe they were more responsible, but they’d traveled the world helping those who chose freedom instead of tyranny. It was a journalist’s dream come true to interview people during times of peaceful revolution and change.
“We’re here,” the driver said as he pulled up to the curb.
Heat suffused Daisy’s cheeks as she climbed from the vehicle. The doorman was right there loading their bags onto a cart.
“Welcome back, Mr. Anderson. I hope your travels were good,” the man said.
“It was too fast, but nice, Gene. I’m ready for another week of nothing but the lake and my fishing pole. Recovering from jet lag won’t be fun after a round trip in less than a week,” he replied.
“I wouldn’t mind doing that myself,” Gene said with a chuckle.
“This way,” Hudson said, placing his hand on her back. Daisy looked at the ground, embarrassed at going into this hotel where they obviously knew Hudson and knew she hadn’t been there before with him. What were these people thinking of her? Did he bring a new girl with him every time he arrived? Did they think she was a cheap call girl? She obviously couldn’t be a high-priced one in the clothes she was wearing. This might be a mistake. It wasn’t too late to turn back, she assured herself. She’d said she wasn’t guaranteeing sex. She just wanted a shower and a bed — an empty bed if she so chose.
“Apparently you travel here a lot,” she said as they slipped inside.
“No, not really,” he told her as he moved through the lobby. He barely had to pause to get his key before they were off again. “But I was here last week, and I sat outside with Gene for about an hour. He has a couple of kids going to college. He’s a good man.”
She would’ve never taken him as a man to sit and chat with the hotel staff. She wasn’t sure what to think of this man. It was all so dang confusing.
“You must meet a lot of people. I’m impressed you remember his name.”
“You must think I’m a real snob,” he said. He didn’t look angry, more amused.
They entered the elevator, he inserted his key, and pushed the top floor button. She wasn’t shocked. This guy obviously had more money than she’d first assumed by his clothes.
But he was used to first-class treatment, so much so he didn’t even appear to notice how lucky he was. She’d been to a penthouse suite one time for a meeting with some bigwigs she was trying to convince to not tear down an old cathedral. She’d lost that one too. She hadn’t even gotten to see the bedroom. She might not get to see the main bedroom this time either. She wasn’t sure.
“No, I don’t think you’re a snob, you just obviously live at the top of the food chain,” she said. He took a few seconds to think about her words before he spoke next. He seemed to be measuring what she’d said.
“I like being the best at what