Free The Arrangement (New Hampshire Bears Novella) by Mary Smith Page A

and onto the Pemberton Corporate plane.
    I take a seat as Vance puts up our luggage up, and I fasten my seat belt. Mrs. Pemberton, Robyn, and Leeza began to rapidly talk about Boston, where the draft is being held, and all the sights they want to go to.
    “May I sit next to you?” he whispers, and I nod. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
    I offer him a small smile.
    “Do you have your kindle?”
    “I do and a couple paperbacks.”
    “You never could never sleep on a plane. Remember when we all went to Paris? We were like seventeen and Mum wanted to go shopping.”
    “I remember. Everyone was sound asleep, but I was wide awake.”
    Vance reaches for my hand and I pull away. I’m not ready for him to touch me. He hugged me earlier, but he took me more by surprise.
    The announcement comes, and we are prepping to take off. Everyone seems settled in their seats and the hum of the plane begins. I close my eyes and count to ten.
    There’s no turning back now.
     

     
    We land in Boston after what seems to be a thousand hours later. Soon, we’re all piled into a stretch hummer heading off to the hotel. Everyone is excitingly talking except Vance and me. He almost looks like he may faint, and I have nothing to contribute to the conversation.
    As we stop in front of the hotel, I suddenly feel like Vance looks. A lot happening in a short amount of time, and it is taking a toll on me. I’m truly in need of a nap.
    Mr. Pemberton goes to the desk and checks us all in as I gaze at the stunning hotel. This is certainly an old hotel, but fabulously upkept. The gold and bright paintings fit perfect with the Victorian period furniture placed in the lobby.
    When Mr. Pemberton comes back to us, his face show how pissed he is. “My assistant screwed up the reservations.”
    “How so?” Mrs. Pemberton asks.
    “There are only four rooms. She didn’t book Dacey’s room.”
    Of course. “I’ll just go see if they have any availability.” I sigh.
    “They don’t. I asked already. With the draft, everything is booked. There are no rooms.” Mr. Pemberton explains.
    An outburst of words begins; the women are trying to figure out who I’ll room with and who will take Vance. The thrashing of words makes it obvious no one wants to trade rooms.
    “Stop,” I hear myself say and everyone quiets. “I’ll just stay with Vance in his room.” My father will die when he finds out about this, but it’s better than the bickering.
    Everyone focuses on me, and Mrs. Pemberton is the one who responds. “Are you sure dear?”
    “Yes.” I nod. “I have a headache and I want to lie down.”
    “Of course.” She places her arm around my shoulder and guides me toward the elevators.
    After we all make it to our designated floors, I follow Vance to our room. Our room. I know it’s a mistake, but I watch Vance open the door and maneuver our bags to get inside the door.
    “I can carry my own bags,” I inform him, even though we’re already in the room.
    “It’s no problem.” He begins sitting everything down. “I’m going to step in…here…for a second.” He points to the bathroom.
    “Sure.” I step out of his way and go over to my suitcase beginning to unpack. I don’t want to have anything wrinkled if we end up on TV when they announce Vance’s name. I want to be presentable.
    When I finish, I take a seat in the very uncomfortable chair, rubbing my temples.
    “You okay?”
    I glance up at Vance. “I’m fine.”
    He stares at me before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Do you want to talk now? Or wait until later?”
    I shrug. “I guess now is okay.”
    He shakes his head. “If you don’t want to, we don’t have to.”
    I glance at him and turn my head away, gazing out the window at the Boston skyline. This is a time I can’t be shy, meek Dacey. This is my life. My future. It’s high time I put myself first. Vance obviously did four times. Well, with four women. I truly don’t want to know how many times.
    Time and