32. Michael

MICHAEL

M y eyes stay locked on Alice as Joey announces the winner.

I hate that it’s not Alice.

I hate that I have to stand here and watch her lose.

And I hate that there’s nothing I can do about it.

The thought of my girl feeling even the smallest amount of heartache makes me want to rip this entire set down.

But as soon as this is over, as soon as we do all the post-challenge interviews, I’m going to pull Alice aside and tell her she’s mine.

I just need to be patient for a few more hours.

“Fine!” I snap, cutting off my manager. “Just do what I asked, and I’ll make the flight tomorrow morning work.”

Not waiting for an answer, I hang up the call and rub a hand down my face.

Usually this wrap-up process is quicker, but since it’s all live, they had to do the interviews one at a time, talking to each contestant, talking to each judge… Then getting all the bullshit handshake photos for promos. It’s been draining. And a producer somewhere must’ve said something to someone, since not once was I put anywhere near Alice, which only infuriated me even more.

But we’re officially done now. And I’m done waiting.

I’m stomping back into the room from where I took my call in the hallway when Pamela stops me.

“Want to join me for a drink? I’m going out with some of the crew to this historic speakeasy in the basement of a place called The Syndicate Hotel. I’ve heard it has a shady history.” She widens her eyes, and I know that’s just the sort of place she’d love.

“No, sorry,” I tell her.

“Are you sure?”

“Thanks, but I’m sure.” I glance around. “I need to find Alice.”

“Oh.” Pamela touches her hand to her chest. “She left a while ago.”

“What?”

“I thought you saw. They did her interview first and had her leave not long after.”

“Shit!” I clench my fists, pissed at myself for missing that.

Pamela’s expression softens. “I’m sure you’ll find her.”

“Oh, I’ll find her,” I growl before turning and striding out of the room.

In a matter of minutes, I’m getting off the elevator on the sixth floor of the hotel.

The entirety of my game plan consists of shredding those fucking red pants and tossing her on the mattress. But that plan dies an agonizing death when I see that her hotel door is currently propped open with a cleaning cart.

“No, no, no,” I mutter to myself as I reach her room.

Stepping past the cart, I startle a housekeeper who’s carrying a bundle of towels out of the bathroom.

“Oh, hello.” She smiles, and I can tell she recognizes me.

Calming my roaring nerves, I force a smile onto my face. “Sorry to bother you, but did the woman in this room check out already?”

Everyone got their hotel room booked through tonight. Even knowing tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I hadn’t considered the fact that she might leave early.

The woman nods. “I got the call on my walkie about an hour ago that the room was clear.”

“Dammit,” I sigh, letting my eyes flick over the spot where I kneeled last night.

I start to turn, but the housekeeper stops me. “If you know her…” She trails off as she drops the towels into the basket on her cart and lifts something off the top shelf. “I found this just under the bed.” She holds the large silver coin out to me. “I don’t think it was meant to be a tip since she left cash on the end table. So I’m thinking maybe she dropped it.”

My fingers close around the coin, and I’m soothed by the weight of holding something that belongs to Alice. “Thank you. I’ll make sure she gets it.”