Vance - A Night at the Wesley

In this short story, Connie Atkinson is on vacation and ready to embrace her inner seductress in a five-star resort in Vail. However, a late deposition and a freak snowstorm derail her plans and she is forced to spend the night at the lackluster Wesley Hotel in downtown Detroit.
In a gloomy mood, her spirits are lifted with the offering of a salaciously named cocktail and the appearance of her former college study partner, who didn't think of her in that way. Since her divorce, Connie is opening herself up to new possibilities and a night with Noah Cohen has just made the top of her list.

A Night AtThe Wesley

By ValloryVance

Published by VallorysCalliope

Copyright 2012 Vallory Vance

ConnieAtkinson marched into the restaurant of the Wesley Hotel in downtown Detroit, afrown etched into her face. She was in need of a glass of wine, preferably somethingdark to match her mood. She cleared her throat to signal the hostess stationedat the entrance.

The youngwoman didnt move, seemingly more interested in twirling the heavilyhighlighted tendrils of her blonde ponytail around her fingers and batting hereyelashes at the admiring bartender than acting as a hostess. Connie clearedher throat again.

No response.

Miss! Shestomped her booted heel so that it echoed causing several patrons to lift theirotherwise disinterested heads in her direction.

Goldilockslooked at her with an air of annoyance and straightened the rounded band ofwhat must be the hotels required uniform. Connie doubted that the young womanwould have opted for the white lacy collar and contrasting light-weight pale greenblouse on a blustery Friday night.

Table forone? Goldi grabbed a menu and turned toward a tiny table near the bar.

I want thebooth by the window.

Goldi spunaround and twisted her mouth into a condescending grin. Booths are reservedfor parties of three or more.

Then Id liketo speak to your manager, Connie said icily. Having worked in the serviceindustry to pay her way through college and law school, she knew that therewere rules employees followed. However after being grounded in Detroit andmissing the first four hours of her vacation in Vail, she was in no mood to beamenable.

Goldi blinkedback in astonishment. In a room full of business travelers, mostly male, Conniedoubted that the hostess had met with an ounce of resistance to her clipped orders.

That wont benecessary. Goldi dipped her head, offering an insincere smile. Right thisway.

Connie quicklyfollowed Goldis long strides to the bay of large windows surrounding severalunoccupied circular booths. Sweetie, you cant outpace me, she thoughtstifling a laugh.

Slipping aroundthe edge of a black lacquered table, she bounced down on the springy pinkleather cushions. The view was the saving grace of the Wesley the lights of downtownDetroit twinkled in a swirling white haze. Tiny pockets of snow glistened inthe nooks and crannies of the beveled glass and a soft whistle of wind floatedaround her like the melody from a much loved piano. The perfect backdrop forrelaxing in front of a roaring fire in the lounge of the Mountain Lion Resortand Spain Vail.

Tonight sheshould have been enjoying all the luxuries that the villa-inspired resort hadto offer including a private masseuse and a slice of the decadent Death byChocolate triple tiered cake topped with mocha ganache. Instead she would haveto endure a meal in the cavernous dining hall sparsely outfitted with cafeteriastyle tables and darkening cream walls lined with artwork reminiscent of theMiami Vice era. Ugh, she groaned. May I have a wine list, please?

Connie lookedup to notice a quick roll of the young womans eyes. Well, at least the Wesleyhas fantastic service.

Pulling outher phone, she speed dialed Jessica. After a few rings, Jessica answered with asnorting laugh. Then there was a metallic clang followed by muffled, garblednoises.

Thosebitches are already drunk.

So you thinkyoull get here tomorrow? Monique finally retrieved the phone from a fumbling Jessica.

Weatherreports are saying that planes can leave mid-morning to early afternoon so Ishould be there sometime tomorrow. In the background, she could hear music,Jessicas tinny giggle, and a mans husky laugh. Connie sighed involuntarily.

Where wasGoldi with her drink menu?

Well youbetter get here. Cause theyre gonna find this heifer during the spring thaw.She acts like this is her first

Connie, theseguysss from Brasssil bought us drinthks. They are sooo Jessicas wordsslurred together and the clanging sounded again.

Moniquereacted quicker this time and was on the line within a beat. Bye. Let me gether out of here before Im trying to stop a strip tease.

See youtomorrow. She let out a small laugh. Jessica could be quite a character onceshed had a few drinks, but Monique was definitely the person to handle her. Atleast Jess wasnt cryingyet.

Connie jammedthe phone back into her purse and scanned the crowd. A room of other business travelersgathered at the bar or hunched over cell phones at tiny tables. They were stuckfor the night in the lackluster Wesley and not an interesting one in the bunch.

If she hadntbeen held over taking the deposition of her clients husband, she could havehad a darkly tanned Brazilian with thick black hair and a sexy accent plyingher with potent beverages. Only the thought of breaking her clients prenup couldatone for this disruption of her plans.

For the firsttime since her divorce last year, shed taken a break from her role as leadattorney in a family law practice for a much needed vacation with her friends.She groaned, turning her attention to the list of cheap wines.

Maam? Goldiset a yellowish brown cocktail on the table.

I didntorder Connies voice trailed into nothingness as she stared at the vaguelyfamiliar drink. She lifted it to her nose and was immediately accosted by thestrong aroma of tequila. What is this called?

Goldi blushed.UmmA Long

A Long Slow ComfortableScrew Up Against A Wall! Connie howled in disbelief unable to contain thepiercing laugh that bubbled from her mouth.

Its okay,sweetie. She waved an obviously mortified Goldi away and reached for her phone.Thumbing through her contacts, she found Monique. Only her former collegeroommate would appreciate the humor of some ass using a lame pick-up techniquereminiscent of their partying days in Memphis.

I was goingto be really embarrassed if that wasnt you.

A hand slid overher shoulder, halting her call to Monique, and Connie spun around on the slickleather seat to look up into the most beautiful brown eyes shed ever seen.They glowed as if backlit by candles. At least that was what shed written countlesstimes in her journal.

Noah. She breathedout, too stunned to say anything else. He pulled her into a tight hug and memoriesof college swept through her with the speed and heat of lightening. In aninstant a nineteen year old girls yearning for a study partner, who didntthink of her in that way, was awakened from a long slumber.

Wow, Connie.You lookfantastic.

Thank you.She smiled, noticing that his eyes lingered longer than was appropriate at the deeplycurved neckline of her sweater.

At herrequest, he slid into the opposite curve of the booth and her gloomy thoughtswere abruptly uplifted. This night might not turn out so badly, shethought as she eased back into the tufted cushions.

She was nolonger the shy girl too afraid to ask for what she wanted. And right now inlieu of a Brazilian buying her a drink in Vail, the object of a school girlcrush would do just fine.

She claspedhis left hand in hers, lightly brushing her thumb over his ring finger.