Next thing I knew, Imogen is tapping on my shoulder to wake me up. We’d gone the whole ride from the fountains with me either grouchy or asleep. I needed to do something to calm her concerns. I could tell she wanted to do her nervous pace.
“Sorry I fell asleep. I started sneezing then got a headache all of a sudden,” I said, hoping that would explain it. “I get headaches pretty easy. I promise this won’t be the first one you’ll witness.”
“Don’t worry about it, I was hanging out with Bond.” She paused, “I don’t get headaches, but I understand head pain. Brice has given me many opportunities to know how that feels.”
Neither of us spoke for a moment. Gunner had gone around and opened the door for us. I raised a finger for him to give us a minute.
“Imogen, I can’t promise you things will be perfect every day or that I won’t be too busy to even talk to you, but understand that you will never have to worry if I will hurt you,” I said, leaning forward on my knees. “This guy Brice is a monster who needs to be stopped, and I have already set those actions in motion, thanks to Gunner.”
“Thank you. I needed to hear that, even though I already knew I was safe with you.” She took my hands. “I’m sorry I made you fall in the fountain.”
We both laughed and looked at our wet clothes.
“This should look super interesting to the hotel staff. I can’t say I’ve ever walked in soaking wet, not even from rain.” I waved to Gunner to help Imogen out of the car. “If anyone asks, though, I’m blaming the whole thing on you.”
“That’s fine, I’m tough,” she said, getting out and straightening her wet clothes as if they weren’t wet. “Follow me. You can hold my hand if you’re scared.”
This girl was totally surprising me. It was only a few days ago she was bleeding and terrified in a hospital elevator and today she was smiling and having fun. I could get used to having her around.
I can’t get used to having her around? She’s not for me, she’s for the real Asher. Thank God she is with me first, no matter how tough she seems. Asher’s playboy lifestyle and attitude would not have been good for her emotional state of being.
I scanned the lobby as we entered, hoping we could get to the elevator before I was seen. When I had agreed to this switch, I hadn’t fully thought it through and how it would affect our being in the hotel. I saw the hotel manager approaching, so I told Gunner to head to the elevator, but to hold it for me while I spoke to the manager briefly. I knew speaking with the staff would be the first real test in seeing if they knew it was me.
“Mr. Hawthorne, welcome back. I made sure your suite was cleaned. I will send your personal concierge, Halima, up to take care of anything you need.” She clearly wasn’t fooled by the clothing and hair difference, which was further proof that the family wouldn’t be fooled either.
I don’t think the paparazzi will be fooled for even a minute. I’m going to have to figure out how to be seen but not seen.
Hearing a noise behind me, I turned without answering to find Imogen admiring the painting on the ceiling.
“Asher, look at the ceiling and the columns. Did you design that too?” Imogen asked walking over to join us.
“Hey, I thought you went to the elevator with Gunner,” I asked looking over to Gunner, who just shrugged.
“We did go, but this lobby is amazing. It’s like a brilliant painting in 3D.” Imogen stopped spinning in circles when she reached where I stood with the manager. “Hi, sorry to interrupt.”
“Angelique, this is my fiancée Imogen. We’ll be staying with August in his suite while we’re here,” I said, hoping she would believe the lie. “I’m going to have some work done in mine.”
“Mr. Hawthorne, I’m so sorry for…” Angelique tried to apologize but I stopped her.
“It’s not a problem. You can have Halima come up. I’m sure Imogen will have some requests. Let me know if you need anything before August gets here,” I said, looking away quickly to avoid too much eye contact. “You can have my assistant come up as well. Thanks.”
I threw my arm across Imogen’s shoulders, making a point to act more like Asher.
“Let’s go get out of these wet clothes and find something else fun to do,” I said loud enough for people around us to hear.
Gunner was waiting at the private elevator for us. Once we were inside, I removed my arm abruptly. Imogen jumped and Gunner gave me a look that felt like a warning. I leaned in close to Imogen’s ear and whispered.
“You know why I had to act like that, right?”
Chapter 31
IMOGEN
Iunderstood his throwing his arm across my shoulders for show, but I didn’t understand his yanking his arm off once the doors closed. You would have thought he’d gotten electrocuted, he moved so fast.
“Everything okay?” I asked, looking to Gunner with a smile.
“Yeah sure, of course. I just needed to send a text,” Asher said, pulling his cell from his pocket.