“Come on, let’s end this night on a high note. Shots?”
“Absolutely not!”
“I was kidding. I’m driving, remember?”
They walked out of the restaurant together and went to their respective doors of Fletcher’s car. Before getting in, he said, “Hey, who said you can’t mix business with pleasure? This was fun.”
And she had to admit, he was right. It had been a fun dinner... and date?
Chapter 31
After dinner, they made their way to the Pfister Hotel.
“Hi. Checking in. One room for Dorothy Clark. And another room for Fletcher Abbott.”
“Dorothy. Ha! That’s such a grandma name.” Fletcher covered his face trying not to laugh.
Being a good sport, she chuckled, too.
“I’m sorry, I only see one room for Mr. Abbott. I don’t have a reservation for Dorothy Clark.”
“There must be some mistake. Can you check under Dot Clark?”
The clerk typed into the computer.
“No, ma’am. There’s no reservation for you. Only one for a one-night stay for Mr. Abbott.”
“Well, can I get another room?”
“I’m afraid we’re fully booked. The state Dem convention is in town. Good luck withthat.” He laughed. The desk attendant wasdefinitelynot voting blue this year. Dot let the dig at the Dems go as she was more worried about what she’d do about getting a room.
Her heart sank. This was terrible. Where was she supposed to sleep?
Fletcher stepped up.
“Tell you what. Is there a couch in the room?”
“There is. We have you booked in a junior suite, sir, so there’s a small living room separate from the bedroom. But the couch isn’t a pullout. I could see if we have a rollaway mattress for you, if you’d like?”
“No need. I’ll sleep on the couch. Dot, you can have the bed.”
“Oh, no. You can’t sleep on the couch. Maybe I can just find another hotel.”
“It’s late and we have an early start. Please. Just say yes. And then we’ll find an additional room tomorrow. I’ll be a gentleman. I promise.” He held his hands up to show his innocence.
She wasn’t worried about him taking advantage of her, but this felt highly inappropriate. But what choice did she have? Taking a deep breath and sighing it out, she said, “Okay. One night.”
“Very good. Here’s your room key.” The employee slid the card across the desk to Fletcher.
“Could we have two keys, please?” Dot wanted to make sure everything was clear to Fletcher. And to the hotel clerk.
THEY ENTERED THEsixth-floor room and surveyed the small couch. There was no way that a man over six feet tall was going to be comfortable on that overnight.
Seeing her face, Fletcher said, “Don’t worry. My dorm room bed was too short for me, too. I’ve got all sorts of hacks for sleeping. I’ll be fine.”
Dot felt terrible but what could she do. “Okay for me to use the bathroom first?”
“Knock yourself out. And after that, I’ll be super quick and leave you to get your beauty sleep.”