Thread of Illusion

Davina POV

I pull into the Bayou Blue. I love my job, and I love this hotel. I have met some unusual people working here. I have a great boss, and the pay is not bad. So, why am I always late for work? I jump out of my car, grabbing my purse. Reid is going to raise hell at me. I run through the door and quickly to the clerk entrance.

"Sorry," I say as I set down my purse on the desk in the back office.

Reid gives me his devilish grin. "I think you are earlier than I expected. Why can you not get here on time?" Reid asks.

I smile. "I honestly don't know. I think I'll be late for my own funeral," I say.

"At least you are honest about it. We are booked. I already checked almost everyone in. There are just a few, so it should be an easy night,” he says.

"Okay. Anything you need me to do?" I ask.

Reid gathers his things. "I don't think so. You could try to be on time tomorrow," he says.

"Hot date?" I ask.

"I wish. If you need anything, call me. I will be in the area. Leave room 421 open. I might stay here tonight," he says.

"We are expecting bad weather tonight," I say.

"Yes, Larry is in room 216. If you want to block you a room, you can," he says.

"Yeah, I think I will block me a room. I'll get Sidney to bring me a bag," I say.

"423 is open, and it has a hot tub," he says.

"Thanks, Reid," I say.

Reid leaves the hotel. He is something else. I bet he has a hot date. I wish my ass. He might try to pretend with me, but damn, I know. He is delicious. I would love to sink my teeth in him.

I log in to my computer and start to get ready for the night. We are pretty much booked. I block off rooms 421 and 423 before it gets booked. At least I know Larry will be here on time and probably early. I can go to the hotel bar for a few hours before going up to my room.

I pull out my phone to text Sidney: Go by my apartment and pack me a bag, please. I am going to stay at the hotel tonight. You can stay with me if you like.

Hopefully, she is not busy. Who am I kidding? She is never busy and will probably jump at the chance to stay with me at the hotel.

She texts back: Hell Yes. I will be there before you get off. I will grab enough for a few days. The rain is going to be bad. We might be stuck a day or two. I will stop by the liquor store. Kisses I knew she would come through for me. Sidney has been my best friend my entire life. She has always been the more outgoing of the two of us. I wish I could be as free-spirited as her. Not me. I need everything perfectly normal.

I need stability. That's why I married the sweetest man on the planet. I married my high school sweetheart. We have the most predictable life. Other than the fact I am late for everything, we are normal. We eat the same things; we go the same places we are normal.

I pull out my phone and text my sweet husband: Nathan love. I'm staying at the hotel with Sidney. The rain is going to be bad. I was worried about getting to and from work the next few days. Sidney is going to get my things. When will you be back?

If he texts me back at all, I will be shocked. I grab some files from the cabinet. Reid is terrible at filing. I try to file as much as possible. At least it gives me something to do tonight.

The rain has started coming in. My husband still hasn't texted me back. I'm sure he is busy. He is always too busy for me. I shouldn't think about it like that. He is working. He is always working. He is good to me; Nathan is the best husband. He can be cold, but he is also a loving, sweet man.

My phone dings finally: Hey love. I got your things. I am on my way to you At least Sidney texts me back. I put the files away. I look upon the camera and see Reid's car pulling back into the parking lot. I grab a key card and make him a key for

421.

"Hey. I got you a key made for 421. You sure you don't want 423?" I ask.

"No, you take it. Is Sidney coming over to stay with you?" he asks.

He always asks about Sidney. She is beautiful.

"Of course, I don't want to be alone," I say.

"Well, let me know when you two head to the bar. I will go with you," he says.

Damn, I should not be thinking about how sexy he is. I am a married woman. I guess it doesn't hurt to look. My phone dings again: okay, I will be in Arizona until next week. Be safe No "I love you." Okay, I will let it slide. I can drink about it later. I check the clock; it's almost time for Larry. I do my paperwork quickly. I see Larry walking up from his room.

Sidney is pulling up in the parking lot. Yes! We can get to the bar and party all night with Mr. Sexy. This should be fun. Who am I kidding: she will party, and I will be the wallflower.

Sidney comes through the lobby door at full speed.

"Hey, boo thang. I got your bag, and I got booze," she hollers.

"Girl, quiet," I say.

"Shit, I'm sorry," she says.

She is always so loud.

Thank goodness, Larry is coming in.

"Hey, Sidney," he says.

Sidney leans over the counter. "Hey, Larry," she says.

She is such a damn flirt. "Larry, there is nothing to tell. Everyone is checked in, and I am out of here," I say.

I grab my purse and the keys to our room.

"We're going up to the room first?" Sidney asks.

"Yes. I want out of these clothes," I say.

My phone dings: come to the bar after you change "Who is it?" Sidney asks.

I laugh. "The boss man," I say.

"He's hot!" she says.

"That he is," I say.

We get on the elevator, and I hit the button for 4. "What room did you get for us?" Sidney asks.

"423. We got a hot tub," I say.

"Hell to the yes, girl," Sidney says.

We get off the elevator and start making our way to the room. I hand Sidney a key, and I keep one for myself. She opens the door. "Is Mr. Sexy staying close to us?" she asks.

I point to 421. "He is right there. So, do not be sneaking out of the room and knocking on his door tonight," I tease her.

"Oh, no honey. I would never. I know you want some of that," she teases me.

We giggle as we go into the room. I set my bag down and start to go through it. Sidney packed me enough clothes for a week.

"How bad do you think this rain is going to be?" I ask.

"Well, I doubt we will able to get home for a few days. It is going to flood. Did you text Nathan?" she says.

I throw my clothes down on the bed that I picked out. "Yes, I did, and I got the typical okay from him. It is so frustrating. I am not going to let it get to me. Tonight, we are going to drink and get in the hot tub and have fun," I say. "I hope the bar has some decent food. I am starved. I ran late at work, then had to go to get your stuff, so I'm so hungry," Sidney says.

"The restaurant is open for another hour," I say.

Sidney smiles big. She loves to eat. How can someone so skinny eat all the damn time? I have to work at it. She burns calories with her mouth, I guess.

"Hurry up. I'm starving," she fusses.

I let my hair down and fluff it up. I apply makeup and slip into my clothes.

"I brought your heels," Sidney says.

"Great, maybe I won't fall on my face after I drink," I say.

I grab my purse and the key to our room. "Come on, hurry up. If you are that hungry, let's go," I say.

She bounces behind me. We go out the door and head to the restaurant to get the crazy woman some food.

"Are you going to invite Mr. Sexy to come to eat with us?" she asks.

"Maybe," I answer her.

She reaches into my purse and gets my phone. She scrolls to Reid's contact number: Meet us at the restaurant "Now, Let's party," she says.