Hotel Ruby Read Free Page B

him?”
    Catherine’s small blue eyes tighten to slits. She spins to face me as if I’ve spoken. Her glare shoots splinters of ice, stabbing me all at once. “Who are you?” she asks.
    Wilting, I try to take a sip of my drink without letting my trembling hand spill the champagne. “I’m Audrey,” I respond. Elias shifts next to me like he’s about to step in. I hope he does before this girl scratches my eyes out.
    â€œYou weren’t invited here, Audrey,” Catherine says dismissively. “Now leave.”
    Elias leans forward to take Catherine’s hand, drawing her gaze back to him. “Cathy,” he says softly. I expect her to warm to his voice—I know I would—but she rips her fingers away like she’s offended by his tone. Elias’s posture goes rigid, his brown hair falling into his eyes before he smooths it back in place. “Go away,” he says coldly. “I’m not doing this with you right now.”
    Catherine bends down, bringing her face close to his. For a second I think she’s going to kiss him, and my stomach turns. Instead she smiles. “Eli,” she whispers. “Drop dead, darling.”
    To this, Elias chuckles and lifts his glass. “Cheers,” he says, and drinks.
    Catherine tosses one more hateful glance in my direction and then stomps her way across the ballroom. I put my hand on my stomach and exhale, happy to have mostly avoided a confrontation. When Elias turns to me, he shrugs apologetically. “Don’t judge me too harshly forbeing rude,” he says. “She’s an absolute psychopath.”
    â€œShe’s something,” I agree, watching until Catherine disappears from the party. The minute she’s gone, I relax slightly. Around us the conversations continue; the music plays, and I’m close to figuring out the melody.
    â€œReady for that tour?” Elias asks, hiding his smile behind the rim of his glass. “I know where they keep the chocolates for the pillows.”
    I laugh, thinking he’s pretty adorable. But still, I’m not an idiot. He’s a total stranger, and even if he weren’t, I’m not exactly in a dating frame of mind. “No, thanks,” I say.
    Elias doesn’t appear surprised by my rejection; in fact, he seems to appreciate it. He tilts his head, sliding his gaze over me. “How did you get here, Audrey?” he asks.
    â€œThe door.”
    He laughs softly. “Fair enough. I take it, then, that you’re not here for the ghosts?” he asks. “Most of them are.” He motions to the crowd in the ballroom.
    â€œReally? Is this place haunted?”
    â€œThey think so.” Elias pulls his tie from around his neck and tosses it aside. His hair has fallen forward again, and I think he looks more casual, more approachable. It makes him that much more attractive—a sneak peek at his real life.
    â€œWho are you without that suit?” I ask. Elias’s eyebrows raise, and I nearly trip over myself to explain my words. “I don’t mean naked! I mean in life. Not with asuit—oh, God.” My cheeks warm with heat, and soon I’m laughing. To his credit, Elias nods along with my words, as if truly curious about my thought process.
    â€œWell,” he says, motioning to the rooms above us, “if you’d like to have a look . . .”
    I swat his shoulder, and then we’re both grinning, oblivious to the concierge until he clears his throat beside us. He shoots Elias a quick frown of disapproval before addressing me.
    â€œMiss Casella,” Kenneth says when he turns to me again. “Perhaps you should head up to your room? After all, you’re leaving tomorrow and it’s nearly four a.m.”
    Elias sips calmly from his drink. Does he get carded? Does the hotel care if he, any of us, is underage? And then I wonder what business it is of the concierge that I’m not