“A tired father with a sleeping little girl is my business,” she said, “if he’s being left standing in the lobby.”
Patricia clicked her tongue. “This is why we have departments.”
“And this is why we have hospitality,” Lupita answered.
Ethan looked at her for the first time fully.
There was no performance in her voice.
No attempt to impress anyone.
Just a woman who had probably seen too many people get ignored and had finally decided not to ignore this one.
Patricia huffed, turned back to the screen, and typed harder than necessary.
A second passed.
Then another.
Her expression shifted.
First irritation.
Then confusion.
Then fear.
Her fingers stopped.
Karla leaned closer. “What?”
Patricia swallowed.
“Suite 904,” she whispered.
Karla’s arms unfolded.
Patricia’s face had gone pale beneath her makeup.
“Corporate reservation,” she said. “Confirmed two weeks ago.”
Ethan did not smile.
He did not say, I told you.
