Seeing her stricken expression, he gave her a weary shrug. “You should have seen the other guy.”
“You’re leaving?”
“My flight’s in two hours.”
“You weren’t going to say goodbye?”
He rubbed the back of his head. “I figured you didn’t want to see me,” he said. “After what happened, I can’t blame you for being furious.”
“I’ve got some thoughts.”
“I should have told you. I wanted to from the start. Your mother wasn’t having it. Then after you and me…When Lulu found me in your room and mentioned it to your mother…”
“She fired you?” Hena guessed.
“She was pissed I was still hanging around, but I couldn’t leave. Not with everything going on. I had to tell you the truth. I was about to, but—”
“Shit hit the fan,” Hena finished for him. “You should have told me, Reza. No matter what my mother said.”
“I fucked up.” His eyes searched hers. “I hope you can forgive me.”
She considered his words. The bated breath with which he awaited her response.
“Was our hookup part of the plan?” she asked with a small smile. “Premium tier?”
“Definitely not.” He gazed at Hena intently. “Neither was falling for you.”
Her heart fluttered at this last remark.
“How unprofessional.” She threaded her fingers through his. “I guess resistance was impossible.”
His attention dropped to her hand, then lifted back to her face. “So, you don’t hate me?”
“I think that’s impossible too.”
The lobby buzzed around them. With whispers. The click of heels. The sounds of doors opening and closing. But all she saw right now was him.
“Want to go back to my suite?” she asked him. “I coulduse one of those famous omelets. You won’t believe the night I had.”
His hand tightened around hers. “You sure that’s a good idea? Everyone’s here. They’re definitely looking at us right now.”
“Yeah?” She moved closer. Wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissed him. “Good. Let’s give them something to talk about.”
She took him by his good arm and led him toward the VIP suites. The elevator dinged, and they stepped inside.
When the doors closed, he studied her with a pensive expression.
“What is it?” she asked. “No more secrets.”
“No secrets. Just thinking about how far Chicago is from San Francisco.”
“It’s not too bad, and I’ve heard those Chicago winters suck.”
“They do.”
“Good thing you know people in warmer climates.”
He drew her to him. “Lucky me.”