"Can you not try and give me a bad name, Elliot?" Avery was trying her best to remain clear-headed and not get dragged into Elliot's tempo. "If I really wanted to chase you a thousand miles away, I wouldn't have let you come to the birthday party yesterday."

Elliot pursed his lips. He wanted to say something but ended up keeping it to himself.

"I'll take you to your room to get some rest." He picked up her suitcase and walked toward the door.

"You know my room number?" Avery watched as he led the way, then said, "Did you really bribe my vice president? Where do you find all your courage, Elliot?"

Elliot stood waiting at the doorway for her, then said, "It's now what you think. Your vice president asked me for help at the hotel yesterday. His son really is sick. He wanted to get a refund on the enrollment fees, but the organizers didn't allow it, so I helped him out with that. When I asked him to ask you to come here, he refused at first, but he changed his mind after seeing how wel