AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bubbles of laughter escape her. “You don’t need to worry.”
“I’m worried,” I retort. “You’re my friend. I watch out for my friends.”
“What exactly do you plan on doing? We’re a continent apart.” She giggles.
I run my hand nervously through my hair, praying Matt takes a very long swim.
“I don’t exactly have it all thought out. I don’t even know what city you’re in, or how I would find you if I needed to call the police,” I speak quickly.
“Whoa. Don’t involve any police. You sound like my father right now,” she deflects, and it bruises my ego for some reason. I don’t want her thinking of me in a fatherly role.
“I do not sound like a father. I’m a concerned friend, who’s worried about his very beautiful friend walking around drunk in a foreign country,” I defend, and I realize my slip.
“You think I’m beautiful?” she asks, with her tone high-pitched.
“That isn’t the point. I was stating a fact, Patty. You must know you’re a good-looking woman. You have to be careful. Being in a pub with a bunch of drunk guys isn’t the best idea.”
“I’m already walking toward the bed-and-breakfast. Wait. Was I supposed to make a left, or right?” she stutters.
“Oh! For crying out loud. You’re making my blood pressure rise.” I sigh.
“I’m just joking with you. Chill the heck out. I know exactly where I’m going,” she states, and I blow out the breath I must have been holding.
“Not cool, Patty. I was trying to figure out how I would find you,” I say, and then I get an idea.
“One second, my phone just pinged,” she says. “Oof.”
I hear a bunch of muffled noises.
“Patty, are you okay? Did something happen?”
Her voice rings through the phone seconds later, even though to me it felt like eons.
“I’m good. I’m good. I tripped on a rock, but I caught myself,” she huffs. “Why do I have an invite for you to be able to follow me on Find My on my iPhone?”
“That’s because I want your location,” I say pointedly.
“Are you trying to stalk me?” She laughs.
“I’m trying to ensure your safety,” I retort. “I’m not a stalker. I’m looking after your well-being.”
“I’m a big girl, Evan. I can take care of myself. I thought we said we aren’t going to be friends.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.” I feign being hurt.
“Oh, here it is,” she announces with a singsong voice.
“Would you mind elaborating?” I ask dryly. This girl is going to give me a coronary until she gets back to her hotel room and is safely tucked in bed.
“The bed-and-breakfast I’m staying at. I found it,” she chimes.
I rub my forehead as relief washes over me.
I hear the creak of a door.
“You have to be quiet,” she tells me, even though I didn’t say a word.
“You do realize I’m on the phone. No one over there can hear me unless you have me on speaker.”
