Elias is taller than most of the other guests. Warm and charming, he murmurs hello as he passes them, clasping their shoulders or shaking their hands. My pulse continues to climb, and when he comes to stop in front of us, he nods politely to my father. “Mr. Casella,” he says, outstretching his arm. My dad chuckles, not used to the politeness and respect he’s been receiving here at the Ruby.
After what feels like a long pause, Elias turns to me. We stare for a moment, and then he smiles. “Audrey,” he murmurs, holding out his palm. So. Damn. Charming. I slip my hand into his, and he lifts my fingers to his lips and kisses them. “You look lovely,” he adds, and winks.
“Thank you,” I say, probably turning about a million shades of pink. Although Ryan would occasionally hug me in front of my parents, he’d never kiss my hand. It’s so . . . intimate.
Elias looks past us to see the emptying theater. “How was the movie?” he asks my father, already on his good side.
My father begins to retell his favorite parts, but I’ve stopped listening, instead checking out Elias in his suit. There’s a swell of affection at the way he seems to say just the right things, how he flashes me a smile every now and then to let me know that he hasn’t forgotten I’m there. When the conversation starts to run long, I decide I want him to myself. He’s the only thing that makes sense anymore.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, moving to take Elias’s arm. He slides his hand over mine and turns to me. “Can I talk to you for a second?” I ask, earning a chuckle from my father.
“Uh-oh,” my father says to Elias. “That’s a loaded question.”
I roll my eyes. “Way to minimize my feelings, Dad.”
“I’m sorry,” my father starts, but I wave it off.
“I was just kidding,” I tell him, earning a relieved smile. “I’ll see you later tonight.”
“I hope so, Audrey,” he responds with a sudden bout of sadness. “Today was a good day. I’ve missed those. I have the Ruby to thank for that.”
There’s a sudden feeling of abandonment, like I’m losing him all over again. My unease returns, and I back away from my father. “Let’s go,” I whisper to Elias, pulling him toward the hallway. Confused, Elias says good-bye, and then we’re walking swiftly out of the crowd toward the hallway. I’d just started to accept that our lives were getting back to normal, or at least on the outskirts of normal, and then my dad had to go and act all brainwashed again.
“You plan to tell me what’s going on?” Elias asks curiously. “I spent an hour longer than necessary at the café.” Last he knew, we were making plans to spend a sportive evening in his room. Unfortunately for both of us, things have changed.
A couple appears at the end of the hallway, falling into each other and laughing. The woman is wearing an elegant green dress, but judging from her and her companion’s wobbly steps, they’ve spent the better part of the evening at the bar. Neither of them notices us, and Elias puts his hand on the small of my back.
“In here,” he says, moving us to the other end of the hallway near a large wooden door. I didn’t notice this entrance before, and as we walk inside, I watch the people go by. They don’t even glance in our direction. Elias calls to me and goes to sit in one of the oversize leather chairs in the corner.
“Whoa,” I say, looking around. There are tall bookcases and an enormous gray-stone fireplace. Above the mantel is a green and brown painting of a field, muted and masculine. There are several pool tables on one side of the room, near the oversize leaded windows, and dark brown leather furniture. Now that we’re away from the lobby, I’m calmer. Or maybe it’s Elias.
“This used to be the gentlemen’s room,” he says, crossing his foot over his knee. “Now it’s the billiard room, but most people forget it’s here.”
“Boys’ club, huh?” I ask. I wander over to a shelf and run my gaze over the spines of the books. They’re old, some antique, but I recognize the titles from English class.
“Audrey,” Elias says softly. “Although I love being dragged away, I can tell something’s bothering you. Care to elaborate?” Elias’s face has grown serious. Almost expectant.
“Will you think I’m overreacting?” I ask.
“Probably not.”
He lives here. Would it surprise him if I told him that I think the Ruby has brainwashed my family? If I told him that I think Kenneth means to hurt me? As I decide where to begin, Elias grows more worried. He comes over and stands facing me, his arms crossed over his chest.
“It’s the hotel,” I start. “It’s affecting my father and brother, changed their personalities.”