Colin Ashford strolled up to my concierge stand. His grin and warm brown eyes made my heart do a little flip. He always flirted with me on his twice monthly trips to Seattle.
“How can I help you today, Colin?” Flirting was safe, and not forbidden, so I held his gaze and toyed with my hair. “A printer? Finding your favorite kombucha? An Uber?”
“Lovely to see you, Hannah. Picking up my Sounders ticket for tonight.” He winked.
Oh yeah. My cheeks warmed. Did they match my red uniform? I slipped the ticket out of its slot. He took it, fingers brushing mine. “I also need a restaurant recommendation and reservations before the game. For one. Or maybe two?” He moved closer.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t date a guest.” My reluctant mantra.
“I can take a room across the street instead.” He smoothed the lapels of his pristine jacket.
“You know I don’t do long-distance relationships.” Damn right. My ex, Trevor, had used the opportunity to cheat for months. As cute as Colin was—never again. “I’ll book The Metropolitan Grill for you at five.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “I’ll be back in two weeks.” He grabbed my pen and circled the date on my desk calendar. “So you don’t forget me.”
Not going to happen.
In two weeks, he kept his word. But this time, Colin bypassed my stand and crossed the lobby with a stunning brunette. On my break, I spotted them in the restaurant.
Was it too cringe to hide behind the foliage and spy on them? Only if they caught me. I bit my lip. Was I better off this way? Two weeks ago, he asked me out. Now, brunch with a bombshell. Signs of a cheater. I should be pitying her, and instead, I was as green as the potted palm next to me.
Their waitress popped the cork from a bottle of champagne. They clinked glasses and sipped. A giant diamond glittered on her finger. Dammit. A cheater, for sure.
Two hours later, he appeared at my stand. I gritted my teeth.
“Hi, Hannah. I need your help with dinner reservations.”
The gall. “For one or two?”
“One, unless you’re joining me?” His unrepentant grin twisted the knife in my heart.
“I’d think the brunette with the ring would join you.” I couldn’t keep the acid out of my tone.
“My little sister? She’s off on a cruise with her new fiancé. But I should have introduced you.”
I blinked. His sister. Whew.
“And Hannah—another thing. I need a realtor recommendation. Do you consider Belltown long-distance? I have my fingers crossed you don’t.” He held them up.
“You’re relocating to Seattle?” Was I gaping like an idiot?
“My company is moving me next month. So, dinner for two?” He leaned in, gaze intent.
I smiled and picked up the phone. “I’d be happy to arrange dinner reservations for two, Mr. Ashford.”
“And I’ll check in across the street.”
Catherine Brown’s flash and short fiction has been published in Havok Magazine, The Offbeat, The Veggie Wagon Journal, and a 2 Elizabeth’s anthology. Her short fiction has been a finalist or placed in multiple writing contests, including the grand prize in the Chanticleer Book Awards SHORTS Contest. Website: https://www.chbrownauthor.com/
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