Read Dream Angel : Heaven Waits for Free Online Page B

stares of every patron I passed, their faces told me all I needed to know about my appearance. I realized that for the first time in my life, I understood the phrase about feeling worse than one looks. I pulled back my shoulders, stuck out my chin, and forced myself to walk in unhurried steady steps towards the elevator. Strands of hair stuck to my face, and I brushed them away calmly as if I had no idea why everyone could possibly be gaping.
    My face flushed as I repeatedly pushed the button for the elevator. I was about to give up my vigil and take the stairs when I heard a familiar voice.
    “Look what the cat drug in,” said a goading tone. I closed my eyes.
    Bracing myself, I turned and forced a smile in Heather’s direction.
    “A flight left Atlanta that quickly, did it?”
    “I’m here, aren’t I?” Heather squinted and began to walk toward me.
    She reached out and touched the sleeve of my dripping jacket. Glancing down, her smile dropped at the sight of puddles around my feet. I frowned.
    “What did you do, walk from Graceland in a monsoon?”
    My lips pressed together in a thin line as I turned back to the elevator and continued to press the button.
    “You did.”
    “Must you tell everyone?” I grumbled.
    “You think everyone is blind?” She waived her hand in an exaggerated circle.
    The elevator doors opened, and I jumped inside, turning the corner to get out of view. I hit the floor call button with zeal. The door jerked forward, and as stealthy as a cat, Heather followed me in just before it closed.
    “Are you trying to leave me behind?”
    “Never,” I said rich with sarcasm.
    I gave my wet locks a good shake and purposely flung water around the elevator like a lawn sprinkler on a hot summer day. Heather quickly shielded her face.
    “You’re like a wet dog.” She brushed quickly at the droplets of water across her arms. “Aw, now look what you did.”
    When she glanced up, our eyes met only briefly before her gaze narrowed to her nose. I watched as a droplet of water trickled down to the tip and tittered. Neither of us moved, and a flicker of laughter gleamed in both of our eyes. History has proven that we could never be mad at each other for long, and soon we began to laugh. I extended my arms. Heather stepped into my hug out of reflex, realizing her error too late.
    “Wait!” She lifted up both hands.
    Before she could screech another protest, I nabbed her, and squeezed her against my wet jacket. The water gushed out of my clothes, soaking in to hers.
    “Ah, man.” Her body went limp.
    Distracted by our game, we suddenly noticed we had reached our floor and the door had opened. Our mouths dropped open as we realized how we looked to the two young men standing across from us in the hallway, smiling lasciviously. Heather reacted first.
    “Hey, get off me!” She pushed me away and stomped out of the elevator and down the hallway.
    I stepped past the men and gave them a wink before leaving. As if she had eyes in the back of her head, Heather turned and glared back at me. I held up my hands in a sign of surrender. She flipped the side of her hair that was now almost as wet as mine, and grunted before continuing down the hall. I laughed and followed her to my room.
    We simultaneously stopped at my door and glanced back at the elevator to see the two men still staring at us. Heather paused to bat her eyes at them before entering the room, and then rolled her eyes as she passed me. I waved before closing the door with a slam that shook the walls.
    “Are we even now?” Heather asked, while shaking out her shoulder length blonde hair with a hand.
    “I’ll consider it.” I headed for the bathroom, pausing to smile triumphantly at her before closing the bathroom door.
    ***
     
    I was re-energized when I stepped out from the steamy bathroom, a towel wrapped tightly around my hair. I was surprised to see Heather changed and refreshed in dry clothes. Glancing around, I noticed her bags next to