Page 109 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“Thank you for trusting me with that,” she says.

I look down for a second, finding the words I want to say because there’s no sense in not being honest now. Hiding what I’m feeling would only be backpedaling from everything that’s happened today. “You’re easy to trust. A lot of things feel easier with you, Lucy.”

We pull into an intimate, waterfront hotel in Sausalito, just along the San Francisco Bay. It’s a place that Quinn recommended and said that it’s the perfect relaxing getaway. When we enter the lobby, there’s a man behind the desk who smiles when we come closer.

“Good evening, welcome to the Inn Above Tide.”

“Hi.” I pull out my ID. “Reservation under Oakley.”

The man starts typing on his computer. “Yes, I have you here for just one night, correct?”

“Correct.”

“Great, and I have here one standard bedroom with two beds.” The desk clerk keeps his focus on his screen.

Lucy and I awkwardly look at each other. When we made the plans to stay here overnight, we talked about separate bedrooms. But we agreed we’re both adults and that nothing would happen. We’re mature and responsible enough to at least stay in the same room in separate beds.

“Correct,” I say.

The man continues clicking on his keyboard. The corners of his mouth turn down and his brows lift. “So, we have one of our master suites available for tonight if you’re interested. It’s only a fifty-dollar upgrade.”

“What’s the difference between the room we have and the suite?” Lucy asks.

The man starts reading from his screen. “It’s about a hundred and twenty feet bigger, a private, furnished deck overlooking the bay, a Whirlpool Jacuzzi, and a wood-burning fireplace.”

“Oh.” Lucy’s eyes slice to mine. “That sounds nice.”

“Yeah, for only fifty dollars more,” I say.

“I mean, a private deck overlooking the bay?” Lucy says desperately, and I know she really wants to upgrade.

“Let’s do it,” I say.

“Amazing,” the desk clerk says. “I’ll be honest, this is a really good deal. We usually can’t offer these but because you’re checking in so late it worked out.” He starts typing again. “I’ll just need a card on file for any incidentals.”

I pass him my credit card, and before we know it, I have two key cards in hand. We make our way to the end of the corridorand find ourselves at the door on the farthest end of the hallway. When we enter, we’re met with a stunning suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay and beyond to the city skyline of San Francisco. There’s a white stone fireplace, a gigantic marble bathroom with a double sink…and a single king-size bed.

20

Lucy

“Well.” I stare at the massive bed positioned in the middle of the room. Ofcoursethe upgrade would include only one bed. “That checks out.”

“I can sleep on the couch,” Marsh says almost immediately.

“What!” I spin to face him. “That’s crazy.I’llsleep on the couch. I’m smaller.”

“Absolutely not,” he balks. “I will. I promise, it’s fine.”

“No, then let’s just go back downstairs and ask for the original room.”

“Lucy, you want the suite.”

“I know I do,” I whine. The room is huge and now that we’re inside, I don’t want to give it up. I shift to the other leg and eye the bed in front of us. “I mean…a king bed is ginormous! We can share it, right?” I stand at the foot and open my arms out beside me, measuring the width. “We’d be eons away from each other.”

Marsh stays still. I can practically see the wheels spinning inside his head. “Right,” he finally says. “We can share it. It’ll be fine.”

“Great,” I breathe.