"You didn't book strippers for when we get there, did you?" I asked.
"No, but that's a great idea." She grinned. "You might end up running off with a hot stripper."
"I think there's more of a chance of you doing that," I said dryly.
"You think so?" She cocked her head. "Because I'd be okay with that. I could watch him work every night."
"Living the dream right there," I said with a shake of my head.
"Exactly," she agreed. "I'm starting to think I don't dream big enough."
"It's better than dreaming too big," I said sadly. I glanced out the window and watched the scenery go by.
"Um, I don't think this is the way to the airport." We were heading too far north, unless the driver was taking us a route I didn't know.
"Um, there's roadwork the other way," Grace said. "I saw it on the app. I guess he saw it too." She nodded toward the driver.
"I know when you're lying," I told her. "What's really up here?"
I couldn't think of a single reason for her to lie to me. If she was… She was the one person I could trust right now. Or, I thought she was.
She bit her lip.
"You'll see soon enough. I promise it's a good surprise. You know I wouldn't lead you astray."
"You absolutelywouldlead me astray," I told her. "You have many times in the past. It's one of the things I adore about you. But right now, I need some…" I rubbed my forehead. "I need some solid ground to stand on."
"Says the woman who agreed to a cross-country plane flight," Grace said.
I gave her a look and said, "You know what I mean."
"Yes," she replied. "I do know. Which is why I know this is just what you need. I promise you'll love it. If you don't, you can have all the strippers for yourself."
"That's very generous," I said, but I wasn't convinced. The closer we got to the lake, the more worried I became.
"We're not going to throw eggs at Hawk's place, are we?"
Grace clapped herself on the forehead. "Why didn't I think of that earlier?" After a moment, she added, "No, it's not that. We're not going to TP it either."
"Good." As fun as that was, I left it behind in my uni days. Although, I might make an exception for Harvey and maybe Ed.
"So, what are we doing?" I asked, knowing she wouldn't tell me.
"You'll see." She tapped the side of her nose.
"What does that even mean?" I asked.
She frowned. "I have no idea," she admitted, then laughed. "Hey, this is the place."
Hawk told me his street and number, but I'd never been here before.
"How did you know to come here?" I asked. Hawk and Grace didn't know each other. Did they?
"It will all make sense really soon," she said. "Come on, out you get." She tapped the card to pay for the taxi and got out.
"Shouldn't we ask him to stay?" I asked. "We still need to go to the airport." By now I was totally confused.
"Don't worry, it's all good." Grace grabbed the handle of my suitcase when the driver lifted it out of the taxi.
