Chapter 11

Kate had never truly understood the meaning of the word delirious until she was wandering down the hallway towards her own hotel room at ten o'clock the next morning. This was no walk of shame, but a part of her knew that she had to be careful. There was no reason for her to think that Hollis would want to see her again after this weekend. Maybe she would, but it wasn't something that Kate could get hung up on.

But it was impossible to ignore the way she was feeling right now, like she was walking on air, a smile constantly at the ready, and that was before she even really thought about what had happened last night. She'd never been anyone's first before, but she would have thought that a night like that would be full of awkward moments or maybe some stopping and starting while they got to know one another's bodies.

Except that wasn't at all what last night had been like. It was every single cliche that she could think of. It was romantic. It was magical. It was exhilarating. Surreal. Kate couldn't keep the smile off her face as she slid her hand into her pocket to get her room key.

"Good morning."

Kate's hand flew to her chest as she stumbled backwards. Lexi had come out of her room next door just as Kate went to use her keycard, scaring the shit out of her.

"Morning," Kate said, running a hand through her hair, trying to calm her racing heart and fix her potentially messy hair. "How was last night?"

Lexi flashed a smug grin. "Still going." She let the door close quietly behind her with a soft click and stood next to Kate in the hallway. "She's fast asleep now though, so I'm going to get some breakfast and bring something back for her." Lexi's eyes narrowed as she took in Kate properly, and then they grew wide as she registered that Kate was still in yesterday's clothes. "And I don't think I have to ask you about your night."

Kate bit her lip. "I have no words."

"Oh my god." Lexi's mouth fell open. "Come with me and let's go find coffee and a bagel or something." She was reaching for Kate's arm and dragging her down the hall before she could say otherwise. "Tell me everything."

"I don't know. It's... She's..."

"What's her name?"

"Hollis." Kate swallowed. "She's going through a divorce. With a guy."

"Okay."

"And I was her first time," Kate said slowly, almost truly processing it for the first time now that she was saying it out loud.

Lexi stopped walking. "What?"

Kate nodded. "Yeah."

"Holy shit."

The last few steps to the elevator were in silence. "It was kind of mind-blowing though," Kate said with a sigh as she pressed the button for the elevator doors.

"Holy fucking shit." They stepped into the empty elevator and got out when they reached the lobby. "She was hot, Kate. Like probably out of your league hot."

"Hey." She hit Lexi on the arm.

"You know what I mean. It's not you so much as it is her. Well, I only saw her from a distance, but she had that vibe about her, you know? Sophisticated. Stylish."

"Yeah. She is. And I'm..." Kate blew out a breath as they went outside, and she had to take her sunglasses out of her bag and slide them on. "I'm trying not to overthink this. I'm not a one-night stand kind of person, but at the same time, I know what you mean. I honestly couldn't see her calling me next week to go out on a date."

"Where's she from?"

"I don't know if she's from there or not, but she lives in Pasadena."

"What??" Lexi's jaw dropped for the second time that morning. "Are you kidding? My girl's from San Diego. Not impossible but not ideal either."

"Is it the start of something?" Kate asked with a smile as they found an empty table and a waiter came over to take their order.

"I don't know." Lexi's lips curved into a smile. "I'd like to think so. Two hours isn't that big of a deal but Pasadena? Are you kidding? She's an Uber away."

"I know," Kate said before she pressed her lips together. "I know."

"Don't be so quick to rule it out." Lexi shrugged. "She's going to be a free woman soon, and if she had half as much fun as you seemed to have had last night, why wouldn't she call you?"

Kate's stomach dropped. "I have to get her number."

"Kate," Lexi said with a tilt of her head. "Come on. You shouldn't have left this morning without it."

"I know. I know. I'm not used to this." Kate bit the inside of her cheek. The weekend was barely getting started though. Surely, she'd be spending more time with Hollis before they went their separate ways.

Their waiter returned with their drinks, and Kate took a long, refreshing sip of orange juice, knowing she had to rehydrate after last night.

God, last night. She still hadn't had a chance to relive any of it, but when Lexi got up to find the restrooms a few minutes later, Kate couldn't stop her mind from drifting back to just a few hours ago, to the way Hollis had made her come again and again.

The way Hollis had been was actually remarkable. There had been zero signs of self-doubt. Maybe she was feeling it, but she certainly hadn't shown it. If Kate hadn't known that this was Hollis's first time, she would have never guessed.

Even just the way that Hollis had kissed her. Before anything had happened. Kate closed her eyes for a second, her skin tingling as she thought about the way they'd danced together and how their lips had fit together so perfectly.

Every muscle in her body ached right now, but Kate wanted more. She wondered how soon was too soon to knock on Hollis's door or should she just hope that she'd bump into her down here in the afternoon?

Also, she needed to sleep. That realization hit her like an unexpected wave crashing into her, her eyelids suddenly heavy. She'd get some breakfast, and then fall into bed for a few hours.