Love in Lockdown

Halfway Party

Paige waited until there was nothing but silence before cracking open Nate’s door and slipping out into the hallway. She tried to keep a relaxed pace as she headed for the stairwell, working against the adrenaline in her system. Once in the safety of the stairs she stopped holding back the excitement and joy coursing her veins.

Her body was operating on a heightened plane and she needed to dissipate the mix of nerves, excitement, and lust. She’d taken a risk and it had felt amazing. Paige had promised Alicia they’d meet at the staff party, and after the kiss with Nate nothing sounded better. Other than more Nate.

Paige could already hear the music by the time she reached reception, and the chaotic mix of the beat, voices, and laughter washed over her in a soothing wave.

Alicia wasn’t hard to find, dancing in the middle of the room with two of the girls from housekeeping. They looked so carefree as they spun each other around, their hair haloing as they twirled. Paige weaved through to the edge of the makeshift dance floor and was promptly snatched up by Alicia into a spinning, squealing embrace.

‘You came!’

Chloe and Megan jumped into the hug as well and Paige went with the flow into the centre of the dancefloor. She closed her eyes and let the bass reverberate through her chest, wishing she could feel weightless, for just a moment. Instead she let go, letting herself move to the music, not caring who was watching or how she looked as she spun and swayed with her eyes closed.

The song ended and she signed to Alicia for a drink, relieved when Alicia jumped into step behind her. Paige looked back to smile at her friend. She was vibrant and her energy was infectious, the opposite to Paige. She wondered if those qualities were learnt, or inherent to Alicia.

They made it to the drink stand and each found something to pour into the plastic catering glasses.

‘You look different,’ Alicia said studying Paige with a curious smile.

‘I’m wearing a little more makeup than usual?’

‘Nope. That’s not it.’ Paige sipped her drink and tried not to squirm as Alicia leaned back and scrutinized her further. ‘Oh my goodness! Is it a guy!’ She covered her mouth, eyes wide as she shook her head.

Paige could feel her cheeks were on fire and she looked up to the ceiling to hide her smile.

‘Is it the player guy? Oh no Paige. This is bad!’ Alicia was giggling and jumping in excitement and Paige couldn’t figure out if she meant ‘bad bad’ or ‘exciting bad’.

‘Alicia it’s nothing! Really.’ Paige found herself joining in the laughter, the wine having rushed straight to her head, fueled by nervous adrenaline.

‘Tell me everything. I’ll tell you if it’s nothing.’ Alicia took a gulp of her wine and leaned in closer, her eyes wide and waiting.

‘There’s nothing to tell.’

“This is so not like you Paige. I want to be excited for you, but it feels like such a bad idea. Some of these players are bad news when it comes to women. You should hear what Chloe and Megan were telling me earlier!’

‘I don’t think he’s like that.’ A little flame of fear sparked in Paige’s chest and she tried to let it fizzle out. She didn’t want to feed the doubt. ‘He seems different.’

‘You’re so sweet,’ Alicia said wrapping Paige up in a cuddle. ‘If you don’t want to talk about it, let’s just dance!’

Relief and gratitude for Alicia washed over her. ‘Yes. Let’s just dance while we can. I don’t want to think.’

Paige couldn’t do anything but think the next morning as she covered reception for Ethan, who was catching up on sleep after DJing on the rooftop as well as bartending for the Halfway Party. Guests were mostly in their suites, and the combination of silence in the foyer and Paige’s pounding headache left her restless for a distraction.

Paige checked her watch. Alicia was late. When she finally arrived a few minutes later her face was puffy and she was not her usual effervescent self.

‘Morning.’

Alicia gave her a weak smile and dropped into the chair behind the desk. ‘I drank too much. I thought there were limited drinks.’ She placed her head on the desk and groaned.

‘There was supposed to be. Have you eaten?’

Alicia lifted her head, her eyes brighter. ‘No. Let’s get breakfast together.’

‘I’m meant to be watching the desk, but it’s quiet.’ Paige helped her stand up. ‘Let’s make it quick.’

‘Look at you breaking more rules,’ Alicia teased.

They started for the dining hall, Alicia’s comment niggling at Paige. She remembered something Alicia said the night before.

‘Last night you said something about Megan and Chloe telling you stories about the players.’

‘Ohhh...’ Alicia cleared her throat and leaned in so she could whisper. ‘Chloe told me that at least two of the cleaning staff have slept with the same player, and maybe one of the kitchen girls. She wouldn’t say who.’

Alicia paused as they stepped into the dining hall. She continued when she was sure no one was listening. ‘Megan was just telling stories about how cheeky the younger players were, trying their luck. But she said one of the players has been a real hit with the staff.’

‘She didn’t say which player? Did she know who it was?’

Alicia shook her head. ‘I don’t think their manager knows anything either. Should we say something to Paul?’

It was not news Paige needed to hear. It put her heart and her job at risk, and she knew she had to tell Paul. That flicker of panic she’d been fighting since she’d left Nate’s room flared into a full flame. She knew it would be hypocritical to tell Paul about the relationship between the other staff and the player, but staying silent could place the hotel and everyone’s jobs in jeopardy.

‘What are you thinking Paige?’

‘I can’t say.’ Tears welled at her eyes and she couldn’t meet Alicia’s gaze.

‘Something happened with the guy. You think he might be the player?’

Paige just couldn’t find the words. What did she really know about Nate? She busied her hands and mind making coffee for them both while Alicia leaned against the wall beside her.

‘Do you want to tell me what happened?’

‘Just a kiss,’ Paige whispered, her voice breaking. She drew in a deep breath and controlled the emotions threatening to take over. She would not cry at work. ‘It was just a kiss, and I know it shouldn’t have happened, but it did.’

‘Was it amazing?’ Alicia took the coffee Paige offered.

She nodded, letting herself smile. It had been amazing and she didn’t want to let herself doubt what had felt so genuine. The past seven days felt like a lifetime. When the lockdown had started her life had felt clear, navigable, but now she wished she could break her life into two clear and separate paths.

Nate was the mercurial element that had her shifting her priorities, and Paige was shocked to find she didn’t care.

Alicia gave a soft smile. ‘Don’t think anything bad until we know more. Let’s just ask around about the rumours before we bring it up with Paul.’

‘Thank you for not judging me.’ Paige knew she could have reacted differently to her confession. Alicia should have told Paul, but instead she was choosing to be loyal to Paige.

‘I would never judge you Paige. You have always supported me and I trust that you won’t do anything stupid. I don’t know this guy, but I know you.’

‘Thank you.’ Paige lifted her mug in thanks, just as her phone dinged with a message. The colour drained from her face as she read it, before sharing its contents with Alicia. ‘Pail wants to see me in his office.’