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I opened up an airline website in my browser. I was flying out to Miami. Tickets were relatively inexpensive because there were many flight options.
I could take care of everything else later. The recommendation could be emailed from everywhere. I could answer my phone from Miami as well as I could from here.
I booked a ticket on the first plane, which gave me just enough time to reach LAX. It was morning, and the game was in the evening. With the five-hour flight time and the three-hour time difference, I could make this work, but just barely. There better be no delays.
I’d never packed so fast. A few pairs of jeans and T-shirts. Toiletries. I’d nearly forgotten my nightgown, though I was fairly certain Jace wouldn’t have minded. When I texted Franci to cancel our TV date tonight, she cheered for me.
Franci: Yes!!! Go get your man.
Once I landed in Miami, I discovered that several other passengers from my flight were there to watch the game, but I didn’t find anyone to share a cab with because they were staying at a different hotel. I checked the time as I hopped into an Uber, barely refraining from urging the driver to go faster.
I knew the team’s schedule. They were going to leave from the hotel to the stadium in half an hour, and I wanted to meet Jace before. I wanted him to know I was here.
I tapped my foot on the floor of the car, biting the inside of my cheek. When we reached the hotel, I practically jumped out of the car, slinging my backpack over one shoulder.
Once I was in the lobby, I realized I didn’t know the number of Jace’s room. Reception wasn’t going to simply tell me without calling him first, and that would ruin the surprise.
Then I remembered Hailey was here too, and I called her.
“Great to hear from you,” Hailey said.
“Hailey, hi! So... um, I’m in the hotel where you and the team are staying. Could you tell me what room Jace is staying in?”
“You’re at the hotel?”
“Yes. In the lobby.”
“Ooooh, I’m in the lounge. Wait, I’ll come meet you.”
“Is Jace with you?” I asked in a panicky voice. “I want to surprise him.”
“Just me.”
Hailey joined me a few seconds later, pulling me into a hug.
“So you’re here to surprise my brother, huh?”
“Yes.”
When she let go, I thought Hailey’s smile was a little smug—or knowing, perhaps?
“Hailey, is there something you want to tell me?”
“What? No, not at all. I’m just glad you’re here. Jace will be very happy,” Hailey said, a little too quickly. Something was definitely going on. At any rate, I didn’t have much time for guessing games now. I wanted to catch up with Jace before the boys left for the stadium.
“What’s his room number?”
“2012.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
I darted toward the elevator, impatiently pressing the button, even though someone else had already pressed it.
When the elevator doors finally opened, I was the first to dart inside. I was the only one going to the twentieth floor. I tried to keep my composure while walking toward Jace’s room, but my heartbeat was so erratic that I had trouble inhaling properly.
By the time I knocked on his door, my entire body was on edge.
“I’ll be right out,” Jace called. “Just a minute.”
