Page 34 of Only One Tour Bus

Okay, then. I guess that could have gone worse. Then again, it could have gone a lot better, too.

I’m shocked to see the group from last night on time for the tour the next morning. Well, until I realize that Thomas and Kevin aren’t here. Then I’m disappointed to be right, because I know this will make Asha sad.

“Should we give them a few more minutes?” Asha asks. She doesn’t meet my eyes. I don’t know if it’s because two of her “best group ever” are messing up, or if she’s still embarrassed about the hug. I wish I had never said anything about that damn pouch.

I lay awake last night, not able to get the sight of her embarrassment and discomfort when she realized I was moving to pick up the pouch and she misinterpreted it out of my mind. Whatever was in there couldn’t have been that important. She could live without it.

Hell, I wish I hadn’t seen that damn pouch, and I had initiated a hug. A real hug.

“It’s a busy day. You shouldn’t have given them the club suggestions last night. You should have encouraged them to come back with us.” The irritation at myself bleeds over to my words to her, and I wince. I’m making it worse, but I can’t help it.

See, this is why books are easier. No emotions to speak of if I snap at them, or accidentally hug them, or spill coffee on them the one time during a long night studying.

“They were going out anyway. As long as I tell them where to go, there’s a chance they’ll end up at a place where the bartenders have my number and look out for our tours in exchange for sending people to them.”

“You have arrangements with bartenders?”

“Just for them to call me if something bad happens, or it looks like something bad is happening, and I can deal with it before the police get involved. And if they’re identified as one of our tours, of course.”

Damn, she’s a lot more prepared on the fun front than I would have thought.

“Well, did you get any calls?”

“No. Nothing. I spoke to Christina and she said they stayed out later when everyone else went back to the hotel.” She chews her bottom lip and I get momentarily distracted from what we’re talking about.

I clear my throat. “That’s not good.”

“No. I’m going to go knock on their door.”

“I’ll go,” I interrupt before she turns for the elevators.

“That eager to get away from our tour babies?” She’s got a knowing smile on her face as she nods at me. But at least she’s looking at me again. Even if it is to insult me.

“No. It’s not—” Then I rethink it. Because I offered so she wouldn’t see Kevin. Flirting, eager Kevin. Who probably sleeps in the nude, knowing my luck.

I don’t want Asha around him. Because she shouldn’t have to deal with flirtation when she’s trying to do her job. It has nothing to do with the fact that I know exactly how it feels to be pressed against her.

And how much I don’t want Kevin to experience that.

“I’ll check on the lads.” I turn in case she can see the reasons written on my face.

I check the passenger list of rooms and take the stairs to the room indicated. I pound on the door, calling out both their names, but I don’t get a response. This day is off to a grand start on all fronts.

I yell and knock louder, until I’m sure someone is going to complain to the front desk, and I finally hear some noise from the room. I hear a thud and some cursing, but I’ll take it. “Are you both alive and accounted for?”

The door opens and a very pale and clammy Kevin answers the door. Excellent. He looks ready to vomit, but he is alive and uninjured.

“The absolute state of you.” I say it knowing they won’t pick up on the insult.

“I don’t think we’re going to make it to the tour.”

That is obvious. But it’s not like I care if he learns anything. “That’s fine, have a lie-in if you want. But I need to make sure you’re safe and healthy-ish and then you can get back to sleep.”

“Well, we are.” The words are belied by the fact that he looks like he vomited a little in his mouth after he said them.

“Right. And Thomas.”

“He’s in bed.”