The Business Trip
Nancy's POV
"We rented two rooms. I distinctly remember renting two rooms," Brandon was upset. He was standing at the front desk at the Hilton, so fierce the concierge was quivering under his gaze.
"Sir, it must have been an error with the machine. I am very sorry, but we don't have any extra available rooms what with the convention," the bumbling employee stammered. "I apologize, sir. And ma'am," he said, addressing me. Brandon looked at me dismissively as though he only just realized I was there. Pompous asshole.
"Are there two beds?" I asked, trying not to show my irritation. I knew the convention had all the hotel employees stressed out and (unlike Brandon) I didn't want to be part of the problem.
The employee nodded vigorously. He looked like a bobblehead.
"Yes, ma'am. Two beds,"
I turned to my Brandon. "We can make it work. It's just one night," I told him. He looked like he wanted to say something, but thankfully held his tongue. We paid for our room, and then stood in the elevator in awkward silence.
Brandon is my co-worker and has been for the last six years. He only speaks to me in monosyllables. Usually, he doesn't speak to me at all. Brandon has the world's largest stick up his ass. He likes things pristine, perfect, according to plan. When things go wrong, Brandon became a pain. In the office. And apparently on business trips.
There were
supposed
to be two rooms. One for Brandon, for me. Naturally, we wouldn't share a room. We were the biggest competitors in the office. There was a promotion at the end of the month, and we were practically salivating to get it. Tomorrow was the big convention. Tonight was the dinner. And I had to get ready.
When we entered the hotel room, Brandon locked himself in the bathroom for the world's longest shower. I banged on the door after the first twenty minutes.
"Brandon!" I might as well have been yelling into the abyss. After a half hour, he came out of the bathroom, towel around his waist. I guess he noticed my eyes hungrily searching his chest because he smiled cheekily, the first time I had ever seen him do that. I flushed and looked away. I grabbed my makeup bag. It was my turn in the bathroom. And I really had to pee too.