Free Saving Summer by J.C. Isabella Page A

the smiling face and floppy tongue, trying to think of a name for him. “I’m sure Wilbur won’t be an issue?”
    “Oh no, of course not.” She smiled. “In fact, we have a doggy salon. If you want, we can have him cleaned up and brought to your room.”
    I waved my hand as if this happened to me every day. “Perfect. And if you have any dog food, I would appreciate room service providing that as well. We live in Key West and were so rushed getting out we forgot it.”
    “Of course, anything.” She took my card and my ID, and seemed to get even happier. Wilbur was whisked off by a guy in a smock to get his bath, and we were shown up to our room. The price was a staggering five hundred a night. It was a suite decked out with anything and everything we needed. Also, we got complimentary slippers and bathrobes. Turndown service, and mints on our pillows.
    My father was going to kill me.
    But at least I got to live in luxury until then.
    “Holy freaking shit,” Gael said once the door was shut. “Maybe we should have gone to a motel or something.”
    I felt a little sick inside. The card was for emergencies. This was a huge emergency. Letting them bathe the dog was a little much, but at least he would smell good. He’d also be fed, which was important too.
    I went into the bathroom and laid eyes on a tub that was big enough to fit three of our four-legged friend. “I’ll be using the insanely expensive bathroom now.”
    Gael waved to me as I shut the door, still looking a little shocked.
    “The TV is huge!” I heard him shout through the door. “Fricking awesome. We’ve got a 3D system, with glasses!”
    I relaxed into a bubble bath. He was in heaven now, and occupied till I was done.
    “Summer,” he pounded on the door. “Have you seen the bed?”
    “No,” I shouted. “Why?”
    “It big enough for five people, and the dog!”
    Wow, he really was enjoying this.
    When I finished my bath, I put on one of the lush robes and headed into the main part of the suite. Gael was sitting on the carpet, chowing on the tacos that had been delivered, and watching the local news.
    I sat next to him. “What’s going on?”
    “Well, the Keys are getting pounded…” he swallowed before looking at me. “But it hooked right.”
    I stopped, a black bean taco halfway to my mouth. “And this is bad?”
    “Yeah, it’s headed right for us.”
    Deep breath. Don’t freak out. Deep breath. “What?”
    He turned up the volume, and the weather man, who was looking snappy in suspenders and a bowtie, was practically shouting at us. He was worked up because of the major shift the storm had made. A shift that was going to take it right over Miami.
    I was unable to eat my taco, and watched Gael as he called the front desk to ask them how safe we were. I was thinking we needed to get the hell out and go further north, but when he hung up, he smiled.
    “We’re going to be fine.” He sat on the cushy sofa and nodded. “You know how to pick a hotel, Summer. It’s got a backup generator, and is built to the highest standards for hurricane safety. All of the windows are shatter-proof and have shutters that will roll down. Basically, the only thing we’d be safer in is a bank vault.”
    “You don’t know how insanely happy I am right now!” I jumped up and launched myself across the room at him, kissing and hugging him like crazy. I felt like I would burst from relief.
    Gael started kissing me back, and our dinner lay forgotten.

Chapter 14
Gael
    I had Summer exactly where I wanted her, in my arms, tasting like tacos, when we were rudely interrupted. She huffed and sat on the bed while I got up to answer the door. I was greeted once again by something big and furry lurching at me. I fell on my ass and Wilbur—that poor dog had to be named after my crappy boat—Wilbur gave me enough slobbery kisses to feel like I may not need a shower after all.
    I thanked the attendant and slipped him a few dollars that I had in my pocket.