and did a little bow. "You'll find it's very different here compared to San Francisco."
"It looks beautiful so far."
"I might be biased, but I think Charleston is one of the best cities in the United States, as my grandma used to say, I followed my heart and it led me to Charleston."
"You really love it, don't you?" She looked surprised and I understood where she was coming from without her having to say anything.
"I know I've not been the most positive in my talk about the South and home, but I love it." I nodded and as I said the words I realized they were true. "At the end of the day, I do see myself coming home. I don't know when." I laughed. "So don't tell my mama anything, but this will always be my home."
"Wow, well I'm excited to see your city." She smiled and for some reason that made me happy. Like she wasn't just saying she wanted to see Charleston, but she also wanted to see where I grew up. I knew that wasn't what she was saying, but it didn't stop me from feeling a rush of warm and genuine affection towards her in that moment.
"Excuse me, Mr. Howard, but we have a little problem." The front desk clerk sounded nervous as I looked towards him.
"What's the problem?"
"We only seem to have a reservation for one room, and uhm," He stumbled over his words. "Well, uhm, we don't have any other rooms available right now."
"What do you mean you only have one room?" Was he fucking kidding me? I looked over at Jane, who was playing with her hair and I wondered if she thought I'd only booked one room on purpose. "I made a reservation for two rooms."
"Actually, I do see that Sir, but one of the rooms was cancelled in the backend by our reservations team. They thought it was an error. I'm so sorry, would you like me to call around and see if there are any other hotels with rooms available?"
"It's okay, Tate." Jane touched my shoulder lightly. "We'll survive in the same room. It's fine."
"There is also a couch in the room and we can bring up a rollaway bed if needed. Comped of course." The man said quickly.
"Do you think I care if you comp the rollaway bed?" I rolled my eyes, feeling annoyed. "This is not acceptable.”
"My apologies Mr. Howard." The man looked down at his computer. "So would you like the room or…?" His voice trailed off.
"Yes, I want the room." I sighed. "Here's my card. My assistant and I will go to the bar for a drink while you sort this out. Please have the concierge get my bags up to the room. You can bring my room keys and credit card to the bar, okay?"
"Yes, sir. Drinks on us, of course. Enjoy your stay, Mr. Howard."
"Thank you." I turned away from him and looked at Jane. "Shall we partake in an afternoon beverage before we go to the room and figure out our sleeping arrangements?"
"Sure, sounds good." She smiled as we walked towards the bar. "Are you going to tell him to send up the rollaway bed now, or later?"
"Very funny, Jane." I grinned at her. "Are you sure you wouldn't prefer the couch?"
"The couch? Me?" Her eyes widened and I laughed at her.
"I jest, I jest, of course I will take the couch."
"If you're sure."
"Of course I am." I grinned. I had absolutely no plans on sleeping on the couch that night, but I would let Jane think I did so that I'd look like an honorable and chivalrous gentleman.
“This room is amazing. If you can even call it a room. It’s more like a small apartment.” Jane walked over to the King Size bed and sat on it. She bounced up and down and then leaned back. “This is so comfortable. I want this bed in my room.”
“It is big, isn’t it?” I closed the door behind me and walked over to the side of the bed and looked down at her.
“Yes, it is quite big.” She nodded.
“Its such a big bed that I think we could both fit in, don’t you agree?”
“Sure we could both fit in.” Jane sat up slightly, and wagged her finger at me. “But I’m not sure I want to share.”
“Didn’t your parents tell you it was nice to share?”
”Did your parents ever tell you that?”
“Honestly?” I sat down on the bed next to her. “No.” I laughed