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My credit card with its tiny limit of five hundred dollars.
My credit card that I never use except for emergencies.
Yeah? Well, tonight is an emergency.
I call an Uber, and because it’s Saturday night in a college town, many drivers are out, so I get a ride quickly.
I drape my black trench coat over myself and walk out of the dorm to meet my driver.
“Going to the Carlton tonight?”
“Yep.”
“You working?”
“No, I don’t work there. Just looking for a night out.”
“Oh.”
By the tone of his voice, I see what he is insinuating.
He thinks I’m a working girl.
Now I feel worse than ever.
I don’t talk to the driver the rest of the way.
And I also don’t give him a tip.
When he drops me off at the Carlton, I murmur a quick thank you and whisk quickly into the hotel, turning toward the bar area.
I’ve stayed at the Carlton once before, back when Dad had his heart attack.
I was entranced then, and I’m entranced now.
Except tonight I’m on my own financially.
I walk into the bar. The lights are dim, and already an aura of elegance and sophistication surrounds me. Rich, dark wood paneling lines the walls, contrasting beautifully with the soft, warm lighting, which casts a welcoming glow over the space. The bar stools are plush leather, and the bar counter is a polished marble masterpiece, gleaming under the soft lighting.
Soft jazz music plays in the background. It’s early yet, only half past seven, so I find a seat at the bar fairly easily.
A handsome bartender—his name tag says Garrett—strides up to me. “What can I get you tonight, beautiful?”
“Sidecar, please.”
Then a low voice next to me rumbles as someone slides into a seat. “You can put that on my tab.”
I turn and face an amazingly handsome man. His hair is blond, with some silver at the temples. His eyes are sparkling blue—though not quite as sparkling as Dave’s.
But I’m not here to think about Dave. Dave stood me up.
“That’s kind of you,” I say.
He holds out his hand. “I’m Logan Templeton.”
“Madeline Pike.” I take his hand.
He lifts mine and lightly brushes his lips over the back of it.
