Page 39 of Center Sneak
“No update?”
“No.” His face is grim. He stares at me for a moment and then adds, “We don’t have to do that plan. I just figured it’d be the easiest, but we can come up with something else.”
“Um,” I stammer. “We can do that.” Yup. No problem. I can adjust. I can stay overnight down on the Cape on a random night with this man. No problem-o.
“Okay. Great. I asked, and they do have extra toothbrushes and deodorant available at the front desk, and of course, the regular stuff in the room.”
“Okay. I actually have a small bag in my car.” I packed it just in case my trip took longer than anticipated as I like to be prepared for anything. “Do you mind if I go back and get it?”
“I’ll book the rooms, and then go grab your bag and my own.”
He throws money down at the bar and then walks through the doors to the lobby.
As soon as he’s out of sight, I take a deep breath and remind myself that everything will be okay.
* * *
“Hey,” Calvin says with our bags slung over his shoulder. “Ready?”
I swing my legs around the barstool and hop down. “Yeah.”
He guides me to a wide staircase with large white banisters and a dark navy carpet, where we slowly ascend the stairs to one floor above.
We are in rooms 204 and 206, and as he points to the sign, we turn right down the hallway and quickly find the two rooms next to each other.
He hands me my key, but he doesn’t move an inch after, staring directly at me.
“Uh, well, good night.” Why do I feel so extremely undone at the moment?
“Uh.” He clears his throat. “Good night. Just knock on my door or my wall if you need anything. I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything from the tow.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
We head into our respective rooms, and that’s it. I unpack the few items in my duffle and carry some clean clothes into my bathroom, where I hop in the shower to wash off the day before heading straight for the oversized bed.
There’s not much to do, and I’m exhausted but energized all at once.
I reach over to grab my phone, sitting right next to the alarm clock, and start to type.
Me: Thank you again for your help today
Calvin: No thanks required. I’ll always be there for you
I let those words hang for a minute in the air, not sure what to say next. I should probably just leave it, but I don’t.
Me: So we are officially friends, huh
A text comes back fast.
Calvin: Always
I place the phone back on my nightstand and close my eyes with a huge smile on my face.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Scarlett
Iroll over, and my eyes find the time on the clock—just past eight in the morning.
