Third Wheel

sweet endings

Kacey and Honey enter the exquisite lobby. Kacey as usual marvels at the hotel's interior design. The intricate chandelier gleams a vibrant vermillion color, the walls cladded in white marble. She then locates the panoramic glass elevator & shuffles a very heavily intoxicated Honey.

Arriving at her room Honey struggles to stand leaning against the wall, as her legs feel like jello. Kacey takes her key and hopes the indication light turns green. When it did Kacey collects Honey and enters pushing the closing door with her back. As she turns to put Honey down the sofa, a half naked guy walks out the bedroom door.

"Oh my God! Sorry, I think we're in the wrong room.” Kacey stops in her tracks and turns away from the half naked stranger.

"Bonjour mon amour.”

" Dom, you made it!” Honey pulls away from Kacey and into Dominic's arms.

" Yeah, I just arrived.”

" Oh, you know each other?”

" Yeah, this is Dominic, the one I've been telling you about earlier.”

So much for staying the night. I'll have to take the cab.

"Oh, I guess I'll leave then, call you soon.” Kacey says hastily, grabbing her belongings before things turn R-16.

"Wait,I got you a little something.” Honey goes into the bedroom and grabs a box full of goodies.

“ Whoa, Honey, you didn’t have too.” Kacey genuinely in awe of Honey’s loot

“Come on Kace, this is way less than what you give me every time I visit. These are just some things that remind me of you.” Honey

“Awe, thanks so much.” Kacey leaps in for a hug

“See you again next time.” Honey says hugging back.

Box in hand, Kacey makes her way to the front entrance, hoping to catch a cab, bringing in new guests. She places the box beside her and waits. She hugs herself and realizes she’s still wearing Daniel's jacket. Oh I forgot to remove it.

She hears her name from afar. She pivots to the side to see who was calling her, there she sees Daniel walking towards her to help with the box.

“Daniel? I thought you already left.”

“I thought you were staying over?” Daniel asks back

“Well, Honey didn’t mention a 6 foot stud waiting for her in her room. I rushed out as fast as I could.” She replies as Daniel takes the box from the floor

“I can take that. It’s not that heavy.” She says

“Let me take you home” He says making his way to his car as Kacey struggles to catch up his pace.

“I live on the opposite side from your place. Honestly a cab is going to arrive any second now, I mean this is a hotel.” She explains as if it helps

“Why do you always refuse my help?” He turns after placing the box in the backseat.

“I mean it's not just you, I just don’t like to inconvenience people. I’m just not used to people going out of their way for me.” She explains as she sees Daniel’s frustration

“Well get used to it.” Daniel says, opening the passenger door. Kacey didn’t want to argue and got in the passenger seat.

He steps into the driver seat, starts the car and slowly makes his way onto the street.

“Thanks by the way, for the jacket and the drive home.” Kacey says removing Daniel’s jacket

“You don’t need to take that off yet.”

“It’s ok, I might forget to return it.”Kacey says

“You can always return it, along with my shirt.” He says

“Oh yeah, well when we reach my place, I’ll give it to you.”

Kacey sinks herself into the plush seats using the jacket as a makeshift jacket. Gentle jazz music plays and she tries hard to keep her eyes open, but the comfort level has reached maximum and the steady speed of the car gently cradling her to sleep.

In a couple of minutes, Daniel parks on Kacey’s compound guest parking. He turns to see a cozy Kacey in the soft lighting of the street lamp, He reaches out to cover her up with his jacket that has now slipped from her grip. As soon as the jacket moves Kacey slowly wakes. She sees Daniel holding the jacket, she jolts up and checks their location.

“I’m so sorry, I must have dozed off.” She says apologizing while taking off the seatbelt.

“ It's ok we just arrived.” He says leaning back to his seat

“Oh, thanks so so much. Would you like a cup of coffee? Or-”

“I would love to reign check? I have an early meeting tomorrow.” He says

“Oh yeah sure. Well, thanks again.”

Before she opens her door, he gets out to open her door and grabs the box in the backseat.

“Let me take that.” Kacey says, taking the box off Daniels hands.

“I could take you to your door.”

“Oh no, you’ve done so much already. Bye.” She says walking away before Daniel insists

“Oh and I owe you coffee!” She call out

“Soon.” He smirks watching her walk towards the pocket garden of their compound.