A Night of Desire-Chapter 19: Something’s Up with Seth

"My phone’s out of service. You can just read it to me," Seth Quinn said with a casual shrug.

The young woman was a little disappointed, but since his phone was out of service, she couldn’t press the matter. After all, she couldn’t very well ask for his number by saying, "Well, give me your number first, and I’ll text it to you after you pay your bill," could she?

So, she read Clara Grant’s number from her phone. After she finished, still unwilling to give up, she recited her own number as well. "My name is Susan Chapman," she added. "You can call me if you need anything."

Normally, Seth Quinn would have turned and walked away with a cold, indifferent expression, paying her no mind. But this time—whether because she had helped him or because his mood had suddenly lifted—he acted out of character. He didn’t interrupt her, instead waiting until she had finished. Then he gave a slight nod, offered a quiet word of thanks, and turned to leave.

The young woman, Susan Chapman, watched him until he disappeared into the restroom. Only then did she look away, her feelings a mixture of elation and disappointment as she departed.

After leaving the restroom, Seth Quinn didn’t head straight back to their private room. Instead, he went to the smoking area by the window. He lit a cigarette and took a couple of drags before pulling his phone out of his pocket and keying in the eleven digits.

He had always had a perfect memory for anything he heard. Remembering a phone number—all eleven digits—was child’s play for him.

When it came time to enter a name for the contact, his fingers paused. He squinted through the haze of smoke, staring at the screen for a long moment until it went dim. Only then did his fingers move again. He typed two words—Errand Girl—and then hit save.

He was about to put the phone back in his pocket when a call came in. A glance at the screen showed it was River Sterling. He hit the answer button, and the moment he raised the phone to his ear, River’s voice burst through.

"Seth, where are you? What’s taking so long for a trip to the bathroom? Seriously, there’s a perfectly good restroom in our private room, but you just had to go wandering off. And fine, you went out, but you’ve been gone for ages! Even if you were constipated, this would be long enough! Forget constipated, you could have given birth by now!..."

Seth Quinn listened to him ramble on without a word, taking another leisurely drag from his cigarette as his gaze swept casually out the window.

"...I got kicked out to come find you. So, spit it out, where are you?" River Sterling finally finished his tirade and got to the point.

"I’m at..." Seth Quinn began, flicking the ash from his cigarette. He’d only gotten two words out when his wandering gaze suddenly locked onto a spot below.

Even though it was nighttime, the entrance to The Tuberose was brightly lit. From his vantage point on the third floor, he could make out the scene below almost perfectly.

Seth Quinn leaned forward, resting against the windowsill to get a better look at the scene below. His brow furrowed. "Gotta go," he said into the phone before hanging up, pocketing the device, and striding toward the elevator.

He jabbed the elevator button, but there was no response. Seth Quinn’s frown deepened. After a brief pause, he spun around and headed for the stairwell.

River Sterling was still walking around, phone to his ear, scanning the area. He’d been on the verge of hearing Seth Quinn’s location when Seth had abruptly said, "Gotta go," and then actually hung up.

Baffled, River Sterling stared at his phone in disbelief. The call had been disconnected. He quickened his pace, his eyes still scanning his surroundings, and just happened to spot a familiar tall figure striding toward the stairwell before disappearing around the corner.

’What’s going on? Seth looked like he was in a real hurry. Could it be...’

A thought flashed through River Sterling’s mind. He didn’t have time to dwell on it; he just followed, heading for the stairs. As he walked, he pulled out his phone and made a call, his voice buzzing with excitement and the unmistakable thrill of gossip. "Linden! Quick! Down at the main entrance! Something’s happening with Seth."