Every now and then I look around, trying to see if I can spot Harper, but the place is so big that I’ve lost her.
Cassie and I make it inside. We exchange numbers and make a plan to meet at six p.m. for dinner. She gives me a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing into the women’s locker room.
I start searching for Harper amongst the sea of people. When I grab my towel, hers is still hanging on the rack, so I figure she’s in the water somewhere. I’m about to give up when I notice a steam sauna with glass walls, and I’m pretty sure I recognize her blue bathing suit through the fogged glass.
I pull the door open, steam blasting into my face. The air in here is so heavy, it’s uncomfortable.
“Harper?” I call out. She waves me over from the wooden bench. “How long have you been in here?”
Even though she’s only a foot away from me, there’s still a misty fog separating us. “A minute or two.”
“I’ve been trying to find you.”
She shrugs. “There’s a backside to this place that I was hanging out in with a few coves. There’s not as many people. Iwas trying to give you two privacy.”
“You didn’t have to. We’re hanging out tonight anyway.”
Harper nods but doesn’t react.
The room is hot, which I know is the whole point of the place, but it feels uncomfortable to breathe. The steam is so thick that it’s almost impossible to see out the glass walls. If I stay in here too long, I’ll probably pass out.
“Alright, well, I can see you’re comfortable breathing in water, but I prefer my air dry.”
“There’s a regular sauna across that way.” She points outside to what I assume is another torture room.
“I’m all set.” I get up. “I’ll be outside when you’re ready.”
“So dramatic,” she says, but she follows me out the door.
We go our separate ways again when we reach the locker rooms to change. While I’m waiting for Harper to come out, a text from Cassie pops up on my phone.
Can’t wait for tonight??
I feel myself smiling as I read it. I don’t think the date will really go anywhere, but I will admit, it’s nice to have someone to flirt with who reciprocates.
I’m typing out a response to Cassie when Harper comes back. Again, it feels a bit like I’ve been caught doing something wrong. I remind myself that this is what Harper wants.
“Ready?” she asks.
“Yeah, just asking Cassie what she wants to eat tonight.”
Harper’s face falters, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say she might even be jealous. But I chalk it up to the fact that Harper doesn’t like to eat alone. I make a mental note to pick up food to go for her before I go out with Cassie. At least then she caneat in the hotel room while watching TV rather than sitting in a restaurant by herself.
Chapter 16
Luke
Islip out of our hotel room while Harper is showering. Harper’s always been crazy about ramen, so I found the closest ramen noodle place, ordered her usual, and got it to go. I’m hoping to sneak out, pick it up, and bring it back before she gets out of the bathroom.
Most people would probably be out of the shower before I got back, but I can tell Harper is tired, and when she’s tired, her showers tend to drag on. Her mom complains about it, saying, “The girl doesn’t understand how water bills work.”
Luckily, the ramen place I found is just down the street, so I’m able to walk there and back quickly.
I step into the hotel room, food in hand, to find Harper curled up on her side on the bed. Her hair is still soaking wet, the strands leaving a wet trail across the pillow.
“You okay?” I ask.
She jumps a little when she hears me. “Yeah, sorry, I thought you left on your date.”
