The photographer said, “Kiss her cheek.”
I checked with Amy.
“Level Two?” I asked.
“Approved.”
I kissed her cheek for one brief beat. Her skin was warm. The camera clicked. Amy turned her face slightly toward mine after the kiss ended. Not enough for our mouths to meet. Enough to make the photographer lower the camera.
“Beautiful,” she said.
We stepped apart. The real date waited after the half. So did the possibility of a kiss that did not belong to the challenge. I was trying not to count the hours.
The hotel problem began at three twelve. Blake stood at the check-in desk arguing with the manager. Amy and I waited beside our luggage. The other couples received keys. We did not.
“This is not encouraging,” Amy said.
“It’s probably fine.”
“You say that when something is not fine.”
“I’m creating emotional balance.”
Rose walked past with her room key.
“What happened?”
“Nothing,” I said.
“Reservation error,” Amy said.
Rose looked at Blake. Then at me.
“No.”
“We don’t know the error.”
“I know the genre.”
“Rose.”
She adjusted the strap of her bag.
“If there is one bed, I’m switching rooms with Amy.”
Amy looked at her.
“That is unnecessary.”
“It is medically safer.”
“For whom?” I asked.
“Everyone.”
Blake approached holding one key card. I laughed before they spoke.
“No,” Rose said.
