Chapter 4: Locked Out... With A Handsome Man

Montana

Excitement from my win is still pulsing in my veins. I press the elevator button, noting the numbers above each door are increasing instead of going down. Normally, I’d pull out my phone to check for emails and look at social media while I wait. I’m surprised I didn’t notice it missing earlier.

Eventually, a ping signals the arrival of an elevator. I enter, pressing floor twelve, hoping the doors close before others join me. I want to avoid the awkwardness that occurs when trapped with someone else. I almost always feel like I should strike up conversation to end the silence. I breathe a sigh of relief when the doors close, and I’m alone.

I round the corner from the elevators, heading down my hallway, hearing loud voices coming from an open office. One woman sits behind a large, metal desk as staff in housekeeping uniforms chatter with timecards in their hands. I smile as I continue walking by.

Outside our room, I scan my