Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

I’m walking through the lobby, still catching my breath, when I hear Mindy cry out, “Bri!”

She’s standing in the doorway of the coffee shop, staring at me with wide eyes, waving me over. She looks cute as a button in her usual outfit, her hair pinned up with wispy bangs, a pale splash of rouge on her cheeks and shiny gloss on her lips.

“What’s going on?” she asks me when I walk over, ushering me into the back room of the coffee shop.

“My car broke down,” I rasp, trying to fill my lungs with air. I know I must look like hell, my hair in disarray and sweat dotting my forehead, but I don’t care. I made it, and that’s all that matters. “I had to half-jog, half-run all the way here.”

“Oh, my God, why didn't you just call me?” Mindy demands, helping me into the back room and grabbing me a stool that I lean on gratefully.

I suck in gulps of oxygen, wanting to lean on Mindy for support, but I fight the urge, remaining against the stool. I need to stand on my own two feet. “I didn't want you to leave your shift. It was my fault.”

Mindy scowls at me, placing her hands on her hips. “No, it wasn't. You could have called me. It’s not a big deal.”

I wave her away, coughing and shaking my head. “Well, it’s okay now. I just need to get to work.”

Mindy gives me a hug. And then she pulls back and appraises me with concern in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

I know what she's asking about, but I really don’t wanna talk about it. “I’ll live,” I admit. “I’ve been through worse.”

She shakes her head, sorrow reflecting in her eyes. “I’m so sorry. His plane left this morning, they said. They got into the limo just as I was opening up.”

Tears sting my eyes. Ugh. I feel like shit. Lost the man I’d developed feelings for. Car broke down. And now I’m about to possibly lose my job.

How much more can a girl possibly take?

A huge lump forms in my throat and I clench my fists. I refuse to be brought to my knees by all of this. I was fine before Gavin came along, and I’ll be fine again.

“Have you seen Vandenburgh?” I ask thickly. I don't bother replying to her statement. I don’t want to talk about Gavin. “I didn’t see him when I signed in, thank God.”

Mindy shakes her head. “No, I haven’t seen his uppity ass.” She pauses and taps her cheek. “Haven’t seen him since yesterday, in fact.”

Relief flows through me. Maybe he took the day off and I won’t have to worry about him today. “Good,” I say. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all morning.”

“Damn sure is.” Mindy hugs me again and then gives me a perceptive look. “I can see that you’re trying to avoid talking about Gavin, but if there is anything—anything—I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.”

“I will.” I begin to turn away but then stop, my side aching from my run. “Tylenol?”

Mindy nods at me, quick to scurry off. “Let me go check!”

She runs back behind the counter and digs in her purse. “I don't have Tylenol, but will Midol help?”

“It’ll have to do,” I say. “At this point, I’m willing to take anything.”

She pours me a cup of water, which I use to take a double dose of the pills.

“Thanks, Mindy,” I say when I’m done. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Anything for you, Miss Sayles,” Mindy says, perfectly imitating Vandenburgh’s accent.

We both share a laugh. I know the darkness isn't gonna recede soon, but Mindy will at least be the sunshine that helps push it away.

“Okay,” I say, dreading having to work but knowing I have to. “Let me get to my shift.”

“See you at break.” I give Mindy a quick hug and start on my way.

I’m almost out the door when Mindy calls out, “Bri!”

I stop and turn around. “Yeah?”

She flashes an optimistic smile. “Everything’s going to be all right. You’ll see.”

My aching heart says otherwise, but I manage to answer softly, “I hope so.”

I leave the coffee shop, collect my cart and cleaning supplies, and then start my shift.

I spend the next few hours doing everything I can to focus on my job, trying to keep my mind off Gavin. He’s gone. Abracadabra. Poof. Not coming back. I need to let that sink in.

And in a few weeks’ time, I won’t even remember his name, I tell myself as I drive on like a plow horse.

By the time I reach the sixth floor, I’m beyond exhausted. With all the movie production guests checking out on the same day, all the rooms were messy as fuck. It was a fucking nightmare. The little relief Midol had given has worn off, and I need a break. But I don't take one. I just want to get through this day without breaking down.

When I’m finally done vacuuming, scrubbing, and changing beds, my feet are killing me and my sides and head are pounding with a vengeance.

But I still have one room left. A room I’ve saved for last and have been avoiding. Room 603.

Gavin’s.

I walk over to it, groaning with each step, and pause at the door.

A part of me wants to just walk off and leave because I don’t want to be reminded of our time together. But I can’t take the chance that it isn’t messy inside, not when all the other rooms were that way. I must go in and do my job.

Sucking in a deep breath, I put the key in the door and turn it. Click. With a gentle tap of my foot, the door swings open.

My breath catches in my throat when I walk in. The room is spotless. Everything is in order, totally immaculate. It’s the only room today that I’ve walked in on in this condition. Gavin had to have cleaned