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After an embarrassing amount of deliberating, I settle on a black tank dress. The fabric is soft and fluttery, waving around my thighs as I walk around, grabbing a tote bag and my phone.
I should text Hannah and ask her to make a reservation somewhere. Dropping my own name is always awkward. And I should definitely let Greg know I’m leaving the hotel. There were paparazzi here when we arrived, and there’s a good chance they’re still camped out in front.
But I don’t unlock my phone. I run some product through my curls, pull on a jean jacket, and stuff my room key in my pocket.
Teddy is already waiting in the hallway when I walk out of my room, leaning against the wall across from me. He’s changed as well into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that’s less faded. I’m more focused on his head. He showered, and the ends of his hair are darker and damp.
And he’s wearing the stupid hat he loves so much.
For a few seconds, I just stare at it. “You still have it.”
“Some things don’t change.” He’s talking about a hat. But it applies to us too, it feels like.
“I’m surprised it hasn’t disintegrated by now. You used to wear it every day.”
“Now, I save it for special occasions.” Apparently, this qualifies as one. “I take care of the things that matter to me.”
Once again, I feel like he might not be talking about just a hat.
I swallow and look away. “Ready to go?”
“Yep.” He shoves away from the wall, and we start down the hall. “You’ve been here before?”
“Yeah, a couple of years ago. On my last tour.”
“So, you’re practically a local?”
“I wouldn’t say that. The only time I left the hotel was to go to the stadium for my performance.”
“Seriously?” He looks shocked.
I shrug. “I’m here for work.”
“Not twenty-four/seven.”
In answer, I shrug again.
“So, if I wasn’t here, you’d be…what?” he asks. “Ordering room service and watchingSVU?”
“I don’t watch that show anymore. The crimes are too unrealistic.”
“I don’t believe you.” He raises an eyebrow as we reach the elevators, challenging me.
I’ve always been bad about lying to him. That’s probably why I try to say less rather than more. “Fine. I still watch it.”
He smirks as the doorsding. “Knew it.” We step inside and start to descend. “So…where’s everyone else?”
“No idea. There’s nothing on schedule until tomorrow. Technically, they’re all off the clock.”
“If you did leave the hotel during a tour, who would you go with?”
“My security team.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it,” I confirm, then answer what he’s really asking. “Everyone here is an employee. Not my friends.”
His gaze hovers on me for a while. “Yeah, I guess I’ve never seen Principal Anderson at Duke’s for trivia night.”
