Chapter 35

Renee’s POV

It's early Sunday morning by the time we finally arrive at the hotel. The sun peeks through tall glass buildings reminding us we are officially a day behind on our work trip.

Between the delays, the alcohol, the storm and emergency landing, and the fight that broke out on the plane I have a headache. To say the least. In fact, my whole body aches.

And despite the series of unfortunate events, Eric and I are banned from flying with that airline after this trip and so is that other guy but that should be expected. The passengers thought Eric was a hero, but apparently, the airline has a strict no-werewolf transformation policy.

I thought Eric would have put up a fight but he seemed almost glad that he won’t be allowed to fly on a public plane again. He said his private plane should be out of the shop in a month anyway.

I don’t know why I didn’t assume Eric had a personal aircraft, I suppose I should have but now I’m even more annoyed knowing that all of this could have been avoided.

But we’re here now.

The revolving doors transport us from a busy city to an elegant and, thankfully, quiet hotel lobby.

The soft sand-colored tiles sparkle underneath a complex chandelier, the walls add warmth to the place by exposing authentic red brick, and a sleek stone fountain continuously sounds the trickle of water.

Eric and I on the other hand hardly look like we belong in a place like this. Eric’s shirt is torn from his transformation, my concealer is doing little to hide my dark circles, and I’m sure the both of us stink. We both need a shower and to brush our teeth.

Still, a hotel clerk warmly welcomes us nonetheless.

“How may I be of service to you today?” The front desk clerk asks looking beautifully put together and her rose perfume wafts over to me. I can’t help but wonder if Eric finds her attractive. Not that it matters to me, just curious.

“Eric Goldton” he says gruffly, not indicating his attraction or lack thereof.

The woman maintains her friendly smile and types in Eric’s name, only then does her smile falter and her eyebrows knit together.

I lean in, trying to get a view of her computer.

“Hm, that’s odd,” She says. I glance at Eric who stiffens. What could possibly be the issue now?

“What’s odd?” He asks tersely. The clerk strokes the keyboard a few more times and then shakes her head.

“I’m sorry sir, but because you never confirmed your reservation we had to give one of your rooms away,” she looks at us apologetically. “We have a wedding here this weekend,”

Eric and I look at one another and I don’t know what comes over me, pure exhaustion maybe, but I laugh. Of course.

“I never saw anything about a confirmation,” Eric says standing his ground. The clerk whose name tag says her name is Kate, looks at the computer again and scrolls.

“We called you yesterday at 3:00 pm,” she says and turns her screen so Eric can confirm the number they have on file.

Eric ignores it and pulls out his phone. I stand back and look at the hotel again. A couple of bell hoppers wheel a cart with fresh coffee and I fight the urge to walk away and follow them.

I look back at Eric and see his jaw tighten. I know then that they did indeed call and Eric missed it. Or maybe he ignored it. I squint at him as though trying to see him more clearly.

“So, what are you saying?” I ask Kate. “Eric and I have to share a room?” I raise an eyebrow. Kate gives a small shrug.

“Only one of your rooms is available,” she says as an answer to my question. I nod and tap my hands on the desk.

“Right, of course.”

Eric finishes checking us in. When Kate gives us the keys, Eric and I step aside so she can help the person behind us. A bellhop is hailing our bags on a cart and says he will meet us outside our room. We thank him and once he wheels away our bags, I spin on my heels and face Eric.

“You did this on purpose,” I accuse him. Eric looks down at me.

“Yup,” he says sarcastically. “I planned everything down to you getting knocked out by a bag of luggage,”

I seethe. He’ll never admit it, but I know he did. I know it. I should have prepared for that. This is all a trick for Eric to get me alone and somehow prove that I am who he thinks I am.

“Whatever,” I say, completely over the situation. “I’m going up to our room and locking myself in the bathroom and taking a long hot bath. Then I’m coming down and drinking that entire pot of coffee. I’m only telling you this so that you know exactly where not to be,”

Eric sneers. “I’ve had enough Renee for the day anyway,” he says knowing that it’s just barely seven in the morning.

I storm past him and walk to the elevators.

Once I’m in the room, I’m too annoyed to appreciate the fact that this is probably the nicest hotel room I’ve ever been in and once I stand in front of the large bathroom mirror, I’m shocked by my appearance.

I look completely out of place. I strip out of my black slacks that were once fitted and are now loose and my crisp white blouse that is not wrinkled and has a small wine stain on it.

I take my hair out of my once neat bun and let my hair fall around my face. I scrub off my mascara that clumps to my eyelashes and rub my eyes.

I kick my clothes aside and twist the knobs on the stand-alone tub. Steam drifts off the water and I search the teal cabinets for some bubbles to add to my bath.

I sink into the tub and sigh as the hot water comes up around my neck. I lean my head back on the curving end of the tub and close my eyes. My exhaustion seeps in as the tension in my muscles lessens.

Aside from my physical tiredness, my emotions are in turmoil too, and being around Eric all this time doesn’t help me navigate them.

In the past week alone I’ve seen several sides to Eric that I didn’t even know excited. It’s like discovering a diamond and holding it to the light and each facet is illuminated.

I know it’s only been five years since I last saw Eric, but it’s been a lifetime of change.

Images of him from the past week flip through my mind. The fatherly Eric from Debbie’s soccer practice, to the playful Eric at the airport, and the protective Eric on the plane. But there’s also been the jealous and manipulative Eric too.

When I was Annie; he was always the cold and distant Eric and I still loved him deeply, until I didn’t. I have to keep reminding myself that he’s the one who had an affair and he’s the one who chose work instead of family. He showed me who he truly was, but why am I getting the feeling that that wasn’t Eric at all?

He’s so hot and cold, just when I think I know him I realize I don’t have the slightest clue. And then there’s Jasper who is safe and the same Jasper every day. He’s sweet, and caring, and I trust him with Debbie’s life.

It’s just that l, it’s Eric that I trust with my life.