At The Hotel

When the driver parked in front of the hotel, he came around and opened Richie’s door. Richie got out and turned back to extend a hand to Jennifer. She leaned forward to snag her hat, and plopped it on her head before taking Richie’s hand. He pulled her up out of the car, took the hat from her, and set it on his head. “I wear the hats, thank you very much,” he said, making Jennifer giggle and bob a sassy curtsy.

“Yes, your majesty; whatever you say.” She had to cover her mouth to hold in the laughter.

“You are completely silly,” Richie said, looping an arm around her waist. In an unconscious but obviously familiar move, Jen snaked her arm under her hair at her nape, and pulled it out from under Richie’s arm. It settled around her like cape, and brushed teasingly at his fingertips. In a decidedly more hesitant and self-conscious move, she settled her other arm around his waist. Richie smiled.

“Ehh, the silliness is the jet lag and the after-effects of the Xanax,” Jennifer said, flapping her free hand. “There’s usually a pretty big stick up my ass, actually.”

Richie laughed, and kissed the side of Jennifer’s head. “I find that very difficult to believe.”

“That, my dear Rich, is because you’re incredibly sweet.” She smiled at him, gave his hip a squeeze, then stuck out her tongue. Hip checking him, she strode to the front desk. “Good day,” she said to the reception clerk. “I have a reservation for Petruzzo.”

The clerk, Evie, tapped a few keys on her computer. “Yes, Ms. Petruzzo. Five nights, executive suite with balcony, yes?”

“Mais oui,” Jennifer said, giggling. “Yes, that’s it exactly. Thank you.” She signed the necessary paperwork, turned over her credit card, and accepted her key. “Could I arrange for calls at tea time and supper? I’ve got to get on schedule, and that would be a tremendous help.”

“Of course,” Evie said, smiling. “Jet lag?”

“In the worst way,” Jennifer said, rolling her eyes. She fiddled with her key while Evie made notes on the computer. Jennifer smiled at the other woman. “Thank you Evie, for your help.”

“It’s my pleasure. Do you need help with your luggage?”

“Nah, this guy here can help me,” Jennifer answered, cocking her head at Richie. “He got the bags this far.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Evie said, stifling a laugh at the look on Richie’s face. She knew exactly who he was, and that he was staying in the hotel, too. “Sir, your key.” She handed Richie a key.

“Thanks, darlin’,” he said to Evie with a wink. “Huh, imagine that. Looks like we’re neighbors,” he said to Jennifer. He turned to hand his key to the driver, who already had their bags and Richie’s guitars on a luggage trolley.

“Ah yes, I’d forgotten you said you were staying here. Well then you better make yourself scarce on Tuesday,” she said. “Gaileepoo is coming on her FatBoy to take me SHOPPING!” She started to laugh, then grabbed her forehead. “Ugh, if I don’t die first.”

Richie laughed. “You’ll be fine. C’mon.”

He motioned to the driver, and they all headed for the elevator. Jennifer had a death grip on the hand rail in the elevator, and was rubbing the back of her neck the whole time. Richie saw her lips moving, though he couldn’t make out what she was saying. All the way up to the top, Jennifer kept with the rubbing and the muttering just under her breath. When the doors started to slide open, at their floor, she was through them as soon as she could fit through. She dropped her hand from her neck, and Richie had to ask.

“Don’t like elevators, either?”

“Coffins on strings?” Jennifer asked with sarcasm in her voice. “Nope, not a whit. I’m in no shape to climb stairs, though.” They headed down the hallway. The driver stopped first, and Richie nodded at him. He took Jennifer’s bag off the trolley, and the two of them continued down to her room, while the driver brought Richie’s things into his room.

“You get tension in your neck when you’re nervous?” They were outside Jennifer’s door now.

She looked at him, puzzled. “What? Oh, the rubbing?” She colored again. “Uh, no, it’s just my talisman. Look.” She swept her hair into her hand and twisted it up on the top of her head, turning around to show him the tattoo. Richie touched the letters with a gentle fingertip, making Jennifer shudder.

“There’s a story there,” he said softly to her.

“There is,” Jennifer agreed, “but not today. I have enough of a headache as it is.” She opened her door and Richie followed her in.

“Where do you want this?” he asked, indicating her bag.

“Bedroom, please,” Jennifer answered, walking through the sitting room to open the curtains and the balcony door. She stood just on the outside of the balcony door, leaned up against the glass, and craned her neck around.

Richie saw her, and chuckling, went to join her. “Don’t like heights at all, do ya?”

Jennifer just gave him a look. Richie went out to the very edge of the balcony and jumped up and down hard. He looked like an idiot, jumping up and down the length of the balcony, but Jennifer’s heart twisted at his thoughtfulness.

“Perfectly solid,” he said, and leaned his ass up against the waist-high wall. “Wall too. You’re safe up here.” He held out a hand, beckoning Jennifer to join him. Shaking, she took his hand, and let herself be pulled to the edge of the balcony. She held fast to Richie’s arms and peeked out over the railing.

“Beautiful view,” she said, exhaling a shaky breath she didn’t know she was holding.

“Yes, it is,” Richie said, looking at her hands braced on his arms.

Jennifer went back into her suite, and went into the bedroom. Richie followed, and sat on the edge of the bed, watching while she unpacked. When she was done, Jennifer was pale and clammy, a bit unsteady on her feet, and sweating a little. She went into the bathroom, and fired off a text message to Samantha: “Holy shit, he’s in my room! Too bad I’m about to pass out.” She took care of a couple other needs, and when she came out, Richie was surprised to see her in glasses. And that her eyes were gray. He watched as she sat hard on the other side of the bed.

“I thought your eyes were green? Can I do something for you?” Richie asked. “Do you want something to eat?”

“Contacts, no thanks, and if I eat something now, I’ll be puking later.” Jennifer smiled. “No, I think I just need to lie down. Maybe later I’ll have some soup.”

Richie got up and circled the bed. He held out his hand again, and again, Jennifer took it. Unselfconsciously, she slumped against him when he hauled her up, and waited while he pulled the bedcovers down. Gently, he sat her down and took of her sneakers and socks. Raising an eyebrow at her, Jennifer smiled. “This is why I wear track pants when I travel, Rich. So I can just crash.” She laughed at the pout he put on. “Thank you, you’re being very nice to me,” she said. “I’m sorry; I know I’m not really good company right now.” Richie gently took the glasses from her face and put them on the night table. She lay down on the pillows and Richie pulled the sheet up over her, kneeling by her head to smooth the hair away from her forehead.

“Sweetheart, don’t even worry about it,” he said. “I do not expect you to entertain me.” He leaned in to kiss her forehead. “And I’m a nice guy.” He laughed. “Actually I’m nice to you because I like you. You rest now, and I’ll check on you later, okay?”

Too tired to argue, Jennifer just nodded. “I like you too. Okay, I’ll nap for a little while, then get up for tea.”

“If you feel like getting out of bed, come and knock on my door when you wake up. Otherwise, I’ll call you later.”

Jennifer’s eyes were already drifting closed. “OK,” she said, then snapped her eyes open to lock them on his. “Hey Rich?”

“What sweetheart?” Her eyes were really quite extraordinary. They picked up some of the deep navy of the sheets, and looked blue.

“That’s my hat.” She was a little disconcerted that he was staring at her. His eyes were very potent, and paired with his smile, downright deadly.

Richie laughed, shaking his head. “I’m going to keep it for a while. That way I know you’ll call me later.”

Jennifer chuckled sleepily, and burrowed down in the bed. “I’d call you anyway,” she said, yawning, her words barely audible. “Your voice makes me smile.” She dropped off to sleep.

Richie stayed there, watching her for a little while, to make sure she was comfortable, and because frankly he didn’t want to leave. In sleep, her complexion started to pinken again, and the clamminess went away. After a little while, and with a final lingering glance over his shoulder at her, he left the room and went to his own.