Page 50 of Only the Hunter

Gabe takes in the view—of the hotel entrance and the lake across the street. “You have great taste in hotels.”

“Dad’s taste,” I correct.

“He brought you to Geneva as a kid?”

“When he had business, he’d bring me along. Especially in the years when he was fighting mom for custody.”

Gabe wisely lets that point drop. Or maybe it’s just the whir of activity as we check in and are led up to our suite. I hadn’t meant to say that much.

The suite meets the high standards associated with The Four Seasons, but it’s noticeably smaller than the suites my father booked on prior visits. Glass doors open onto slight balconies with views of the lake.

Gabe strides to the balcony doors, taking in the scenery while I tip the hotel representative. I don’t see our bags in the living area, so I assume they are in one of the bedrooms. I’d like to change clothes, so scan the living room and spot two double doors that open into a bedroom with a king-size bed.

When I enter the room, I see both suitcases have been set in the walk-in closet. It’s an understandable assumption, but I exit what is clearly the master bedroom and search for another bedroom door.

Then understanding dawns. I bet the sofa folds out.

I wasn’t specific enough with Marvin.

There’s a gold-rimmed glass desk with a phone. I pick up the handset and click the button labeled FRONT DESK.

I’m greeted with a warm, upbeat, “How can we help you?”

Of course, they noted when we checked in that we are English-speaking guests.

“Yes, umm, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I need a suite with two bedrooms.”

“Oh, ah, yes, let’s see. We don’t currently have any larger suites available. I can put you on priority for an upgrade if anything opens.”

“Or an extra room is fine too?” Gabe has turned, watching me, and I offer a tight smile. “I can take a smaller room.”

“Umm, I’m sorry, I’m afraid we don’t have…the suite you are in does include a sofa bed which I can assure you is extremely comfortable. During turn down service the bed will be set up. If you’d like, we can send someone up now. I know you just arrived⁠—”

“That’s okay. You can send them up in the evening. Thank you.”

When I hang up, Gabe’s closer than before—close enough that I catch the scent of whatever shaving cream he used earlier, something clean and faintly spiced. Close enough to see the question in his eyes before he speaks.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just…I’ll take the sofa.”

“Absolutely not.” He shoves both hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels, the corners of his lips curved slightly upwards.

This isn’t amusing.

“No. Seriously. You wanted to book your own room and I insisted on a suite. I screwed this up.”

Actually, now that I think about it, there are other hotels. I can leave him this suite and I’ll move to a different one. I pull out my phone, scrolling.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m just going to see⁠—”

“Is staying in the room with me that unappealing?” The question catches me off-guard.

“No. It’s not that⁠—”

“Then what is it?”