My mouth drops open as I step into a room decorated in white and purple, sparkling flourishes everywhere, Sleeping Beauty art on the walls. A cheerful Tinker Bell sound goes off, and three images light up on the wall to my left, including a glowing castle. And that’s just the foyer.
In the actual bedroom, there's an entire row of windows overlooking downtown Disney, and a bathroom with a tub big enough for two … or three or four even.
There’s a canopied bed, velvet chaise lounges, and sheets like silk. I collapse onto them, but only for a second. Then I make a second round of the place, gaping at the size and grandeur of the damn room.
“How much does this fucking cost?” I whisper, and Ranger and Church exchange a look. Spencer, meanwhile, is popping a bottle of champagne he got from the mini-bar and filling up several glasses.
“It doesn't matter, does it?” Church asks, opening the door at a light knock and letting the doorman in with the boys' bags. All I have is my backpack, but if they say they're going to buy me new outfits, that's fine by me. Won't catch this chick resisting free clothes.
I watch surreptitiously as Church tips the doorman, expecting maybe a dollar or two per bag. Instead, he gives him a hundred bucks, and I bite my lip. Having a mother as a maid has made me hyper-aware of how poorly those in the service industry can be treated. If Church had been rude, I'm not sure I could've looked at him the same way again.
“Let's have a toast,” Spencer says, passing out the glasses, his fingers brushing mine. I can't help but wonder what the sleeping arrangements are going to be here. As far as I can see, there's only one bed. “To Chuck, our new assistant.”
“To Spencer, for not being dead,” Micah adds, lifting his own glass.
“And to Church for—” Tobias starts, and then pauses when Church levels him with a death glare, amber eyes cold. “Making the suggestion that we get two rooms: the Pirates of the Caribbean Suite, and this one, for Chuck.”
“It's beautiful.” The words come out in a whisper, but I'm not sure what else to say. I'm living a literal dream right now, and all the bad stuff is just fading away. It's hard to remember that somebody wants to kill me when I'm twenty-nine floors up and surrounded by friends. “This is too much, you guys, thank you.” My cheeks heat as I clink my glass with theirs, and we all drink.
Ranger drifts off to stare out at the view while Micah turns on the TV, pressing a button that starts an endless stream of Disney music. Go the Distance, from the movie Hercules is currently playing.
“Not too childish?” Church asks me, elegantly cradling his glass in one hand and gesturing at the lavish room with his other. I give him a look.
“A magical, free trip to Disneyland, in the princess suite, with champagne and good company? You're joking, right?” He smiles at me as I sit back down on the edge of the bed, pulling out my phone to text Monica. She is never going to believe this shit.
Of course, there's also a message from Dad demanding that I call him back. I debate on that for a moment, and then send him a text, letting him know that I'm okay. If he wants to control my whole life, maybe he should have thought about keeping me at Adamson? I'll see my mom while I'm here; that'll placate him a bit.
“What's the plan to get me back to Adamson next year?” I ask casually, but Church ignores me, gazing out the window at the crowds streaming down the main thoroughfare.
“This is summer vacation—vacation. Relax, Chuck.” Micah drops onto the bed and kicks his shoes off, finishing his champagne, and setting the glass aside. “Alright, so how are we bunking up? I say me and Tobias in here for two nights, then Spencer for the last one. It’s only fair.”
“You assume Charlotte even wants you in her room,” Ranger says, crossing his arms over his chest. He cuts a pretty intimidating picture, standing there with the skyline at his back, dressed all in black with his tattoo showing.
“It's probably best you don't stay here alone, just in case,” Church muses, sitting down on the chaise and crossing his long legs. “Of course, you can always assign one of us to this couch. It's comfortable enough.”
“Why would you guys get two nights anyway?” Spencer inserts, slumping into one of the purple chairs and then grabbing a bag that's sitting on the table, wrapped in plastic and topped with a bow. I set my champagne down, and he tosses it over to me. Inside, there's an array of themed snacks. Fancy.
