Chapter 6: Brian
I was surprised to see Lydia dining alone that evening. I caught a glimpse of her having a brief, solitary meal before departing the hotel dining room. I figured she’d returned to her room and found myself heading for the reception where Jemma was on duty.
“Hey Jem, what’s up?” I called out to my favorite co-worker who was as usual dressed in the bold, lively colors she favored. Everything about her was loud and eye-catching, even her hair. It suited her personality.
“Brian, how are you?” was her absent-minded reply as she pecked at the computer screen.
“Hanging in there,” I said with a shrug. “I’m still trying to get the whole ‘hang’ of handling hotel affairs.”
“You’re doing fantastic,” Jemma assured me. “You’ve always been great with people and it’s obvious you try to put a personal touch into everything. I’m really impressed. I’ve been getting a lot of positive comments about you from the guests.”
“That’s nice to know,” I said, smiling. “And speaking of guests, do you know what’s up with Ms. Thorpe? I just saw her dining on her own.”
“Ahh,” said Jemma, looking up at me over her bright green frames. “Well, her friend left quite unexpectedly yesterday. I attended to him myself and he was carrying just a suitcase. Looks like something must have come up.” She shrugged, and then her eyes sharpened on me.
“What’s it got to do with you anyway?” she asked suspiciously. “Hmmm...I saw the way you were looking at her the first day they arrived. Watch out, boy. You know she’s taken.”
“Obviously,” I murmured, grinning at hearing Jem call me ‘boy’ considering I was almost thirty. “And believe me my intentions are honorable.”
Jemma huffed. “Indeed. Things always set out that way but when it all falls down people end up getting hurt.”
“You’re talking like she’d even let me close enough to try,” I said, leaning forward with a teasing smile.
Jemma viewed me shrewdly. “I know you, Brian. Girls have been unable to resist you since you turned five.”
“Thanks, Jem,” I said on a laugh. “But excuse me if I feel a little overrated. And yet...she did seem to like me.”
Jemma shook her head in resignation, only for her eyes to grow widely surprised as the very topic of our conversation suddenly appeared from the elevator and headed right for the desks.
Lydia’s face seemed to brighten when she saw me. She began to give me a greeting when Jemma hastily cut in, interrupting whatever she was about to say.
“Good evening, Ms. Thorpe,” Jemma said. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay.”
“Oh yes, I’m having a lovely time,” Lydia said, her smile filled with warmth as she faced Jemma.
She was beautiful and shapely, but there was also something very girl-next-door about her even with the money and status she represented as fiancée to Theo Clayton.
“How can we be of help, dear?” Jemma said with matching warmth as she smiled at Lydia.
“Oh, um...well my fiancé had to leave on some urgent business,” Lydia began, “And although the Presidential suite is exquisite I was wondering if I could perhaps be moved to something smaller? Just for the time being at least.”
“Of course, Ms. Thorpe. That can be arranged presently,” was Jem’s courteous reply.
“Why don’t you let me pick out the perfect room, Jem?” I said, slightly inclining my head to Lydia, with just a slight twinkle in my eye. “I think I know just what you’d like.”
“Oh?” Lydia asked, her eyebrows lifting questioningly.
“Yes,” I said, turning so I could look directly into her eyes. “You remind me a lot of my sister, Emily. She likes things pretty, and just so. She also likes open spaces, but nothing too opulent or grand. She cherishes beauty, and simple pleasures to be found in gentle colors and themes. Trust me, I know just what you might like.”
Lydia couldn’t seem to look away. “Your sister sounds like my kind of girl,” she murmured. “Understated yet elegant. You’re right, I do like things simple.”
“Not me,” broke in Jemma as if to break the physical tension in the air between the two of us on the opposite side of the desk. “I lean to things more outlandish. The louder, the better. But then I’m not a young girl anymore. This is my way of keeping things exciting.”
“You’re much younger at heart than many girls I know, Jem,” I said with humor. “And that’s the important thing.”
“You really shouldn’t be encouraging me,” Jemma said, though she looked pleased as she shook her head at me.
Jemma allowed me to take over the selection of the room then handed over the key card.
I led Lydia off as we both chatted amiably. When we turned the corner, I placed my hand on the small of her back to guide her. She seemed not to notice or perhaps had no objection to the casual touch.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jem watching us carefully. She shook her head slowly and with a heavy sigh went back to work on the computer.