AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That good?”
“Woke up in the middle of the night, had to pee, then wanted to cry myself back to sleep.” I grab an apple and slide the box of K-cups my way, examining it closely.
“Those are so good, and recyclable. Why did you want to cry yourself back to sleep?”
I sigh. “Just nerves, you know.” Nerves, Rigger, and I didn’t hear from Ben last night, which hurt my feelings slightly.
“Well, I’d just like to say that I know this is a big day. I’m really glad you chose me to be there for you.”
I didn’t exactly choose her. She asked to go. But I don’t admit that to her. What would be the point?
“I’m glad you’re going too. Have you heard from my dad? If he left Stockholm yet?”
She clears her throat, glances at her phone. A worried look moves across her face. “I don’t think he’s leaving until noon our time. As far as I know everything is on schedule. But you never can be sure with these international flights.”
“True that. I’m going to hang upstairs until it’s time to leave. We should probably head out about 8:15.”
“I’ll be ready with bells on.”
Once my coffee is brewed I head back upstairs to do my hair and make-up. I check my phone, which just rolled out of do-not-disturb mode five minutes ago. I’m greeted with several missed calls from Rigger. He left me a voicemail and assuming he’s apologizing for the things he said last night, I overlook it in favor of Ben’s message.
Good morning, sexy.
I smile and send him agood morningback.
Missed you last night. What’s on tap for today?
Disappointment shoots through me. I’m pretty sure I told Ben what was happening today the other night, as we ate chili.
Meeting that family member. I could have sworn I told you about it. Must have forgotten.
No, you told me. I just temporarily forgot. Too much on my mind these days. Are you nervous?
Yes. Very. But I’m mostly anxious to get it over with and put this mystery behind me.
Three chat bubbles appear. Then, You want to meet for breakfast or coffee on the way?
Thanks, but I’ll have to pass. Greer is going with me and I’m in turbo mode, trying to get ready. Maybe we could do lunch or dinner.
I see the three bubbles appear but he doesn’t message back right away. I keep checking my phone, curling my hair, checking my phone again pathologically. But after thirty minutes I stop. He probably got hung up with a problem at the job site. He’s supposed to be wrapping things up today for this client.
But when Greer and I make it to the Hyatt and I still haven’t heard back from him, I start to get nervous. It’s been almost two hours and he doesn’t normally leave me hanging this long. At least not in the five whole days that we’ve been involved.
I park near the breezeway in front. With only five minutes to spare, I silence my phone and start to open the door to get out. Greer lets out an audible sigh and when I look at her, she wipes her hands then spreads some gloss over her lips, casting a daunting look at the entrance to the hotel. I think she’s as nervous as I am.
“You gonna make it?” I ask her.
Her lips pull into a thin smile. “I’m having sympathy nervousness.”
“Don’t be nervous. Even I’m not expecting much.”
“You’re not?”
I shake my head. The truth is, I don’t know what to expect. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering what this person looks like, if they’re like me or totally opposite. If they’re older or younger. But the only way they could be younger is if Daddy knew about it. Which means he lied to me with a straight face.
I figure we’ll chat for half an hour, exchange numbers, and promise to keep in touch. We might, we might not. I don’t think I can emotionally invest in it because of the other, more pressing things going on in my life.
We walk through the front doors and Greer and I both scan the place. Her eyes land over at the elevators.
