Page 19 of Christmas in Quincy (The Edens 0.50)

Miraculously, the man didn’t argue. He simply buried his face in the pillow.

During last night’s reconnaissance mission, he must have deemed Quincy safe. Shocker.

I returned to the blissfully dark bathroom and dressed quickly, then found my shoes and picked them up along with some cash from my purse and a room card from the dresser. Even though I knew Austin wasn’t asleep, I slipped from the room without a word.

/>

The air in the hallway was warm and smelled like Christmas. Thankfully, the smell didn’t make me want to hurl. I made my way to the elevator, my head pounding in rhythm with each step, and when I pushed the button, the ding was earsplitting. When I reached the lobby, the scent of coffee filled my nose and I practically jogged toward the front desk.

The young man stationed behind it did a double take when he saw me coming, then checked his watch. “Morning.”

“I need coffee.”

He must have sensed my desperation because he hopped off his stool and waved for me to follow. He also didn’t speak—God bless Montanans.

The front desk was an island in the grand lobby and behind it were two doors. One I assumed was to an office. The other, the door he held for me, opened to an enormous kitchen.

The lights were bright and reflected off the stainless-steel prep table and appliances, but I squinted, my nose leading the way. In the corner of the room, the coffee maker beckoned.

The guy plucked a white, ceramic mug from a tray on the clean side of the dishwasher—we had the same brand at the bakery—then went to the industrial pot and filled my mug nearly to the brim.

“Ice cube?”

I nodded as he went to the ice machine, using the metal scoop to drop two ice cubes into the mug.

“You’ve done this before.”

He grinned and handed me the mug. “Hangovers are a bitch.”

“Thank you.” The first sip was hot, but the ice cubes helped.

“Ibuprofen?”

I shook my head and gulped more. “I took some already.”

“I’m going to leave you here and get back to my post. Drink as much as you’d like.”

“Thank you.”

He winked before walking out, leaving me in the quiet kitchen.

After two cups, the pain was manageable. I refilled my mug once more, then returned to the lobby.

“Better?” he asked, turning as I pushed through the door.

“Much. Add some food, and you’ll have saved my life.”

He chuckled and held out his hand. “I’m Mateo.”

“Cleo.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” I smiled. “Yesterday, the manager—”

“Eloise. My sister.”

Of course, he was one of the Edens. I hadn’t noticed the resemblance earlier, but now the similarities in their eyes and the classic shape of their noses were evident. Mateo’s smile wasn’t sweet like Eloise’s, but it was youthful and handsome. I suspected he put that charming smile to good use on the weekends for girls younger than me.