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She shot me a devious grin, then hurried off to her room. What a weird but thoughtful gift.
I threw open the hotel room door, expecting to see Tristan sitting on the bed, just having watched the live airing ofWhat the What?But he wasn’t.
“Tristan?” I called, as I popped my head around the corner, then into the open bathroom door, just in case. I knew Tristan wasn’t really his name, but he still felt like Tristan to me, and it felt better than something like “hey you.”
No matter what his name was, he wasn’t here.
I set the condom necklace by the sink and returned to the main room.
There was a big white box with a big red bow on the bed, though, and a tiny envelope on top with my name on it.
I have news that requires celebration.
Meet me at 3 Acorn St. at 8.
What kindof news meant leaving me a present? And since when could we afford presents anyway? Was his news that he’d stumbled across a winning lottery ticket?
I snorted at myself. “As if.”
I reached for the lid of the box. Before I could open it, my phone rang. It was my dad.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Hi there, Peanut. I got to see your show on time this time. Those birds you made were very creative.”
“Thanks, Dad.” They were terrible, which made me appreciate his compliment even more.
“How’s the apartment? Adjusting to sharing your space with all those girls?”
“I’m living at a hotel, actually. It’s part of the contract with being on the show.”
“Sounds like an upgrade.”
I grinned. “It is. It’s wild not knowing what will happen each day, which has been my whole experience since coming to Epiphany, but that’s only escalated since the show started.”
“Getting enough to eat? You look a little thin on the screen.”
“I’m doing fine. Don’t worry about me,” I said. “What about you?”
“Cassandra from next door is roasting a chicken. I was supposed to be there five minutes ago.”
I was beginning to suspect Cassandra from next door had a crush on my dad.
“Well, I’m glad you called,” I said.
“Me, too. It’s good to hear your voice. I’m sorry I won’t be able to WatchWheel of Fortuneagain tonight. I’ve promised Cassandra I’d fix her bathroom sink. I don’t think I’ll be out of there in time to catch the show and call you.”
“That’s all right. Next time.”
“Love you, Peanut.”
“Love you, too.”
I hung up the phone and opened the box.
Inside was the most gorgeous dress I’d ever seen.
“Ohmygosh.”
