Leah
I dropped to the floor.
Literally slid down behind the counter like my legs had given out. I had no idea why I did it. My body just... reacted.
"Uh... Leah?"
"Yeah?" I squeaked from my hiding spot.
I looked up to find all four of them staring down at me with varying degrees of confusion.
"Are you okay?" one of the guys asked, his brow furrowed.
"Uh... yeah, yeah!" I scrambled for an excuse, pretending to scan the floor beneath the counter. "I dropped something. My... earring."
I let out a shaky breath as they all turned back to their gossip session, though I caught at least one skeptical glance thrown my way.
The moment our eyes had met across the lounge, something had flashed through my mind. Two separate images. One was mortifyingly clear: that compromising position from last night with his body pressed against mine and his hand pinning my wrists above my head. Heat flooded my face just thinking about it.
What the heck was I thinking?!
I felt so incredibly stupid. Where had my brain cells gone in that moment? What possessed me to attack a guest like some kind of deranged vigilante?
I pressed my palm against my forehead, the full weight of my actions crashing down on me.
He saw me. He saw me just now, watching him like some creepy stalker.
What is wrong with me?!
But there was something else too. That other scene. It felt like déjà vu, like we'd locked eyes exactly like that before. It was so intense it felt so real.
But that was impossible. I'd literally just met him yesterday.
Am I hallucinating now?
"Uh, Leah? Have you found it yet?" one of the girls asked, nonchalantly.
My head shot up. "Yeah!" I scrambled to my feet, touching one of my earrings as if I'd just secured it back in place.
"Cool," she responded without much interest, already turning back to the others.
I straightened and found myself staring at him again, unable to help myself.
The group at the counter hadn't been wrong. He was... striking. Blond hair styled with effortless precision. Hazel eyes that seemed to see straight through people, the kind that could pull secrets from your soul without you even realizing. He wore a tailored gray suit that fit his toned frame perfectly, every line and angle emphasizing the powerful build beneath. Everything about him screamed wealth and control.
I didn't know him. But the fact that this incident hadn't reached Mr. Scott yet could only mean one of two things: either he'd let it go, or he was too busy to deal with it.
Either way, I was apologizing. I had to.
As if the universe had heard my desperate thoughts, Leo the bartender appeared with a tray of drinks balanced expertly on one hand.
"These are for the lovely gentlemen over there," he said with a grimace, nodding toward the scene unfolding across the lounge. "The ones June is currently trying to smother with her boobs."
I followed his gaze and winced. June was practically draping herself over Mr. T's table, leaning so far forward I was surprised she didn't topple over. She held a small plate of appetizers and looked poised to hand-feed him.
"Ah! Leo, I'll take it over. Just let me fix myself real quick," one of the girls said, immediately adjusting her uniform to push her chest up.
"How about I do it," the other chimed in, doing the same.
"Let me."
"No, let me."
I watched the two of them bicker over who should serve the drinks.
My eyes darted from the tray to Mr. T and back again, an idea forming immediately.
Before I could second-guess myself, I lunged forward, gently grabbed the tray from Leo's hands, and took off across the lounge.
"Leah!" the girls hissed in unison behind me. I was pretty sure I heard someone mutter "bitch" under their breath.
I'd apologize later. Right now, I needed to fix this.
"Good evening, gentlemen," I said, forcing the biggest, brightest smile I could manage. "Here are your drinks."
As I passed June, I felt her eyes burning holes into the back of my skull. If looks could kill, I'd be a pile of ash on the marble floor.
"Oh, thank you," said the older man sitting across from Mr. T. He looked to be in his early fifties, with kind eyes and an easy smile.
I slowly peeked at Mr. T, silently praying he'd at least glance up and acknowledge my presence.
Nothing. He didn't even look up from his phone. It was like I didn't exist.
I stood there awkwardly, hands clasped in front of me, with the tray tucked at my side.
I glanced back at the girls by the counter. They were glaring at me with pure venom. If I didn't get to speak with him now, I'd have made enemies for absolutely nothing.
Do something, Leah. Say something.
But what? He was clearly busy. I couldn't just blurt out an apology like some babbling idiot. Should I ask when he'd be free? Request a brief word in private?
What should I do?!
I took a breath.
Here goes nothing.
"Uh, Mr. T..."
That was all I managed to get out before I felt a sharp shove from behind.
Everything happened in slow motion and all at once.
I lunged forward, arms flailing wide, and crashed directly into the table.