The Call: A Psychic Paranormal Romantic Comedy Page 9

  "See? The paper is different and you don't have an assigned check-in time." The woman held out her invitation for comparison.

  "It's 11:30," Matilda said.

  "Oh, I'm well aware that says a five pm check-in time. Do you know why I'm standing here? For the same reason I'm a one. My boss is a dumb ass. He wanted us to be here early to 'mingle'." She rolled her eyes. "Who mingles in this shit show?"

  "Last year my asshat boss decided he wasn't waiting in line 3 and caused a scene at the 9 desk. Busted down this year. Probably going to be on the second floor next to the elevator or something."

  "Wow! How would the hotel even keep track of something like that?" Matilda asked.

  "The family does room assignments. Ultimately, the hotel will be completely full. Someone has to get the shitty rooms, so they assign the rooms as they see fit based on the working relationship, strategic importance, blah blah blah. First-year?"

  "Yeah. I had no idea it was going to be like this."

  "Platinum in year one. It must be nice! Who are you sleeping with?" she asked with a laugh. "No, really. I'm pretty sure you can go to line 9. I've never known anyone with a platinum invite, but there is a lot of talk about them."

  "Thanks for the help," Matilda said with a blush.

  "Sure, you're one less person to wait after. I'm probably going to be in this line until five tonight anyway."

  Matilda made her way to line 9. There were only two people in front of her.

  A few minutes later, she was greeted by an efficient looking young man.

  "Hi. I'm hoping you can help me. My invitation doesn't have a number." He looked doubtful until he saw the invitation paper.

  He took the invite from her. "A platinum invitation can check in with any hotel staff or the concierge, Ms. Benton. I'm happy to get you situated. I just need your ID."

  He spoke rapidly. "You're on the forty-second floor, in a corner suite. Your stay is fully comp'd, help yourself to any snacks or beverages in the room. Room service is available from 5 AM to 11 PM. The hotel restaurants and bars can comp all meals and drinks for you and your guests. Are you interested in scheduling a massage or spa treatment?"

  Matilda stood before him with her mouth agape. "I think there may be an error."

  The hotel clerk laughed. "It doesn't look like an error. The reservation, your invitation, and your identification all match. Just one room key?"

  Matilda nodded.

  "Massage? I suggest booking now before there is no more availability."

  ✽✽✽

  Five minutes later, Matilda was walking into the fanciest hotel room she had ever seen.

  The living room portion of the suite was at least twice the size of her apartment. Dark hardwood floors were complemented by cream, tan, and gold-colored furnishings. The rug was a low pile and well-cushioned. The couches were deep and looked soft. Two walls of the room were completely made of glass and looked out over the scenic hill country view.

  The bedroom had a king-sized bed and the bathroom had a jetted tub.

  "Wow." She said aloud.

  There was a mini bar in one corner of the room. She grabbed a bottle of water and plopped down on the closest couch.

  "This is so wasted on me." She said aloud. It felt strange to be in such a big room alone.

  The end table had a vase of fresh flowers and an envelope with her name on it.

  Matty - I hope your travels were uneventful and the room is to your liking. Thank you for all you've done in the last several months. What are we going to make once the beer is brewed?

  Each year, Trellis Industries gifts contractors attending the conference something to celebrate shared success. This year, we're opting to take something from you, rather than give you something more. Your school loans have been paid in full.

  Best wishes for continued success and happiness throughout the holidays and into the new year. You are always welcome at our table. - Hank

  There was another note under Hank's tight handwriting. It looked more like printing than cursive.

  Remember about the colors. You can call me. - Sam

  ✽✽✽

  Matilda read the note six times before she could fully process the words. Her school loans were well over a hundred thousand dollars. This had to be a misunderstanding.

  She pulled out her phone and loaded the loan management website. Her loans reflected a negative balance. They had been overpaid by the November payment amount.

  HOLY FUCK! THIS HAS TO BE A DREAM! I have been trampled in the lobby and am hallucinating.

  Tears dripped down her face.

  HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! How did they even get my loan information?! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK!

  It's time for whiskey.

  ✽✽✽

  There were more tears and more whiskey. There was a call to Ellie ("Holy Fuck!"). And then there was a nap, mostly because of the flying and the whiskey.

  How does one even say thank you for something like this?

  After a visit to the jetted tub, she didn't have an answer, but she was relaxed. She'd look for Hank and hopefully something that represented her gratitude would come out of her mouth when she found him.

  The opening dinner for the conference started at 6 PM. According to the schedule, there would be an hour of appetizers and drinks, then dinner. Appropriate attire was listed as "casual."

  Matilda had packed a dress for tonight but wasn't feeling it. The conference had caught her by surprise so far. A dress felt wrong. Too exposed.

  She opted for black slim-cut pants and a silver tank that had just a little sparkle to it. It was sleeveless, but it would be fine.

  With her hair pinned up loosely in a messy bun and charm bracelet in place, she was as ready as she was going to be.

  Hank's gift had shaken her nerves. While incredibly grateful, she couldn't believe a "corporate gift" was going to relieve her of that much debt. It was mind-boggling.

  ✽✽✽

  The lobby was much calmer as she made her way to the conference banquet hall.

  Are they going to put a couple of thousand people in the same dining room? I wonder how this is going to work.

  As she turned the corner, she saw Noah surrounded by a crowd of people. He was in a suit.

  Noah wears suits?

  Swarmed by people, he looked so serious and… not-jovial. So very unlike himself, it was jarring. There was no easy way to say hello, so she moved on.

  "Hey Platinum! Did everything work out with your invite?"

  Matilda turned to see the woman from the lobby coming down the hall.

  "Yes, thank you again for your help! I see you finally got checked-in. I'm Matilda, by the way."

  "I did. I got into my room a little before 3 PM. I'm Jan; it's nice to meet you. I got zero mingling done, other than talking to you, so you know, time well spent," Jan said with a sarcastic laugh.

  "Where did your room end up?" Matilda asked.

  "Fourth floor, next to the ice machine. Fuck my stupid boss. How about you? What kind of room are you in? And what do you do for Trellis?" Jan asked.

  "Umm…."

  "Oh, just say it. I know it's going to be good," she laughed.

  "Forty-second-floor suite. And I'm making beer with them," Matilda said with an awkward little smile.

  "Damn. I ask again - who are you fucking?! 42nd floor in your first year!" It was said with so much gregarious laughter and bluntness, Matilda couldn't take offense.

  Matilda laughed with her. "I swear I'm not sleeping with anyone. I'd fess up if I was. Those boys just don't come in an ugly version!"

  Jan's eyebrows raised. "The Trellis boys? No. Even the elder Trellis is a fox. It's a charisma thing, I think."

  "So how does dinner work? Assigned seats?" Matilda asked.

  "Na. Everything from here on out is free for all. Wanna grab a table?" Jan asked.

  Matilda smiled. "That'd be great!
I don't know many people here."

  "Eh, we can laugh at my dumbass boss together. There he is, waving like a fool."

  "Matilda, this is Jeff, my dumbass boss," said Jan without preamble.

  Jeff held out his hand to shake as the ladies sat down. "Hi, Matilda. I had several cocktails on the plane last year. I have not heard the end of it since. What do you do?"

  "I'm a marketing consultant that specializes in liquor," she laughed.

  "That's just… great," Jeff said as his cheeks went red.

  "See? Told ya. He's a dumbass," said Jan.

  "I didn't catch what you all do for Trellis Industries," Matilda said to change the subject.

  "Accounting software," Jan said. "We're one of several accounting software vendors."

  Someone pulled out the chair next to Matilda. Jan looked startled by the new person.

  "Hel- Hello, sir," she said quickly as Jeff pushed his chair out to stand up and shake hands.

  Matilda turned to see Sam settling into the chair next to her. "Oh, hello," he said to her with a teasing smile. "I got called sir. How come you never call me sir?"

  Matilda grinned. "Do you want me to call you sir?"

  "Absolutely not! They seem very impressed by me, or my wealth. Maybe both," Sam said, gesturing to Jan and Jeff.

  "Aren't we all? This is CRAZY!" Matilda said, looking around the giant room stuffed with people.

  "I know. I hate it. Every year is a little worse. Hank insists it's good, though. Why are we sitting over here? Introduce me to your friends?" Sam asked.

  Matilda made introductions and couldn't help but notice Jan's suspicious eyes.

  As Sam shook her hand, he laughingly said, "No, we're not sleeping together. She's a little sister.

  "This is a wonderful spot. We're in the corner where no one can see me. Excellent table choice, Matty."

  "It was Jeff's choice," Matilda said, relaxing a bit. Being around Sam was calming.

  The chair next to Sam was pulled out. "You are not hiding over here all through dinner, Samuel," Hank stated. "You will mingle and be social."

  "I am being social."

  "Hanging out with Matilda is not being social, Samuel. And you know it."

  "Have you met Jeff and Jan? I'm being social with them as well," Sam said innocently.

  Hank smiled around the table. "Good evening, everyone."

  "Hank! Um. I. Oh my goodness. I don't have words," Matilda stammered out.

  Hank made a concerned face. "What is it, sweetheart? Is something not right with you?"

  Since when does Hank call me sweetheart?

  He seemed to notice it after it was out of his mouth.

  "Are you well, Matilda? What happened?"

  "See," Sam gave a rare grin. "She's a little sister."

  Hank smacked Sam's shoulder. "Shut it or I'll tell your mother. What's wrong, Matty?"

  Aware that Jeff and Jan hadn't said a word and were staring at her, she said, "I found your note."

  "Oh." The smile was back in Hank's eyes, worry erased. "Happy holidays from Trellis Industries."

  She returned the smile. "I don't know what to say."

  Sam pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "Then say 'thank you', and think of it no more. It's a relatively little thing."

  Hank smacked Sam again. "Go be social. I'm going, too. Matilda, you can, of course, sit where you like. But, there is also a seat reserved for you at our tables. I suggest not sitting near Jacob." Hank stood to leave.

  "Why not near Jake?" she asked, a bit disappointed.

  "Stephanie-Bella is here with him." Sam rolled his eyes.

  "Oh. Yikes." They're still together, then. Matilda sighed.

  Sam nodded as he got up to mingle.

  Sam and Hank left the table, walking in opposite directions.

  Jan cleared her throat. "So, um. When you said you were making beer with them…?"

  "I meant with the Trellis family. The beer label is Jacob's pet project."

  "And you're a contractor?"

  "Yes."

  "Huh. Well ok. It's weird that your gift came through the elder Trellis," Jan said.

  "Weird? Why?"

  "Typically, the holiday cards are signed by the head of the area associated with your work. We're part of accounting, which is part of internal services, so Ethan signs our cards. If you're making beer with Jacob Trellis and your contract rolls up through his areas, he'd usually sign your holiday card."

  "Oh. My work is through Hank. He signs off on my stuff, so the gift thing isn't weird," Matilda said.

  Jan blinked. "Are you related to them?"

  "No, I just work with them."

  "Last call for drinks. Dinner starts in fifteen minutes!" Noah said through a microphone from a little stage on the other side of the room.

  "I'm going to get a drink," Matilda said. Anyone want anything?"

  ✽✽✽

  Nine tables away, Jake was sitting next to Bella, staring at the spot where he knew Matilda was sitting. He hadn't seen her in almost a month. Hadn't really talked to her privately since her birthday in August. He fucked her birthday up. He should have gone for it and dealt with Bella in the aftermath.

  Sam walked over to Matilda with casual ease, chatted for a few minutes, then pulled her close and kissed her face.

  Fuck you, Sam. I hate you right now.

  He couldn't see her anymore. Too many people blocked his view. Maybe he'd see her later. Maybe they could play pool. Maybe she'd bend and stretch for a shot in that way she does. Maybe they cou-

  Bella smacked his arm. "Are you even listening? What are you staring at?"

  "I wasn't listening. I apologize."

  "Jacob! You're sitting right here next to me and not even listening. That's rude."

  "What were you saying?" He asked.

  "I was saying that this is boring. There's no one here I know. Why do I have to be here?"

  "You don't have to be here. I have to be here. I told you this was a work thing with work people. My family is here. You know them."

  "Whatever. We can see them all the time, and they're so tacky." Bella rolled her eyes. "Are you going to get us drinks before dinner is served?"

  The wait staff would bring them drinks during dinner, but it seemed like a good way to get away from her for a minute. She had been following him around like a lost puppy all day.

  He walked to the bar on the far side of the room, hoping to get a look at Matilda. No such luck.

  As Jake got in line at the bar, he spotted her, three people in front of him, chatting with a frumpy middle-aged woman.

  "Matty," Jake called. She turned at the sound of her name.

  Oh my God.

  Matty dumped in a sludge puddle was endearing.

  Matty barefaced, hair severely pulled up with her body wrapped in his fleece was adorable.

  Business Matty with minimal makeup and hair tied back is lovely.

  Any version of Matty with a pool cue is sexy as fuck.

  But this Matilda - hair loosely up, darker makeup, shimmering fitted tank, and pants that clung to her hips and ass - this Matilda would be in his dreams tonight. Her hourglass figure was so very apparent and so very worth staring at. Front, back, or profile - all the views were delicious.

  She saw him. When the smile lit her face and made her bright eyes dance, he forgot to breathe. Then she was moving toward him. As she tried to say hello, he pulled her close for a hug.

  Oh, fuck. Her arms are around me. She feels amazing against me. Fuck. I've never wanted anyone like this.

  His dick stirred; he let go of her immediately.

  "How was your flight? How is your room?" He asked.

  Where is your room? We should go to it and be naked together.

  "Just like the rest of the conference, the room is over the top! I knew the conference was big, but this is obscene," she said, big green eyes still smiling up at him.

  Fuck my life… I am so crazy about this woman and she doesn't get it.

>   "How are you? How's Bella?" Matilda asked.

  "I'm good right now. Glad you're here. Bella is… a bitch, same as always."

  Why is this line moving so fast? Fuck you, bartenders. Move slower.

  Matilda shook her head.

  Jake smirked. "Don't look at me like that. She is currently unhappy that there are no other rich people here."

  "It's a work conference…"

  "I know that. You know that. She was told that. Still, here we are." Jake said.

  Why are we talking about bitchy Bella?

  "You look amazingly beautiful. More than your usual level of beautiful," he blurted.

  ✽✽✽

  Matilda could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. "Thank you."

  Breathe. He dates supermodels. He's strictly fantasy fodder. Don't make a jackass of yourself, Matilda told herself.

  There was a banging sound behind her as the bartender knocked on the bar to get her attention. "Oh, sorry!" She said, "A Bud Light and a Modelo, please."

  "Bud Light?" Jacob asked.

  "It's for someone at my table. I'm trying not to judge."

  Jake ordered a beer for himself and wine for Bella.

  "Did you choose the alcohol for tonight? Thanks for getting Modelo," she said.

  He nodded.

  He smells so good.

  They turned to walk back to the tables.

  "I can't get over you guys in suits." She touched his tie knot as they paused at her table.

  Stop touching him. This is just pathetic, Matilda. Get your shit together.

  "It won't last. Darla likes us to look presentable, but we'll be back in jeans and t-shirts by Tuesday."

  She handed Jeff his bottle of Bud.

  "Maybe a round of pool later?" He asked.

  "Sure," she said.

  She sighed as he walked away. Another date with Little Jake tonight… Damn Ellie.

  Matilda pretended she didn't notice Jan watching her.

  ✽✽✽

  Dick on full alert, Jake slowly made his way back to the girlfriend he couldn't stand and couldn't seem to dump.

  I can fuck her later and pretend she's a tiny redhead rather than a blonde bean pole, right? He asked himself.