Alone

Still in shock, Xyrus stood on the stairs of the hotel for much longer than he anticipated. When an older man disrupted his thoughts by asking for the time, he decided to return to the event.

As Xy walked through the front doors, Wind excitedly walked towards him with the look of a man who needed a favor. Knowing it was time to put on a brave face, Xyrus straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath just before Wind arrived with a graying woman beside him.

“Mr. Ashington, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she introduced herself, stepping in front of Wind to extend her hand to Xyrus.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Xyrus took her hand into both of his.

“Samantha Hughes,” she said, before Xyrus could ask her name. She was a sassy gal, and the men shared a smile thinking of how hot she must have been in her day.

“I’m very glad we got to meet,” he added.

“I asked Wind here if you would be at the event tonight and he promised to introduce us,” she explained, turning the spotlight on