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Nope
Drew:
Damn. Want Leah’s? I’m sure she can come pick it up.
Kai:
No. I’ll drop it off. Thanks again. Have a safe flight.
Drew:
Thanks. Good luck dude.
I run my hand through my hair. This is my chance.
In less than five minutes, I’m dressed and in a cab with Sophie’s coat on my lap and anxiety in my chest. If I’m too late and she’s already left this morning, I’ll have to accept I’ve missed out. If I make it in time to give it to her myself, I’ll ask for her number. It’s a long shot, but it’s all I have.
After the short ride and countless scenarios playing through my mind, I walk into the lobby of the Wingate hotel. It’s fairly quiet and empty for a weekend morning, apart from a few guests having breakfast in the small café onsite.
There is a female hotel staff member at the front desk who looks up from her computer with a friendly smile. “Good morning, Sir. Can I help you?”
I hold the coat tightly in my hands and step up to the counter. “Um, yes…I’m dropping off this coat for…uh one of your guests.” I swallow anxiously. “I apologize, but I don’t have her room number.”
The woman smiles at me and looks at her computer. “No problem, what is her name?”
“Sophie…”
She begins typing. “And her last name?”
I gulp. “I, uh… I don’t have her last name.”
She stops typing and peers up at me curiously.
I try to smile kindly at her, realizing I probably seem suspicious.
She purses her lips and looks back at her screen closely. “Well, I do have a Sophie who stayed with us last night. She hasn’t checked out yet. I’d be glad to pass the coat along to her when she does.” She offers her hand to take it from me.
I grasp it more tightly. “Oh, um, I’d like to give it to her myself.”
She watches me for a long moment, and I internally curse myself for not asking for Sophie’s last name before. Without it, I look like a creep.
The woman at the desk blinks a few times and then relaxes her posture. “Well, I cannot give you her room number, but I can call and let her know you’re waiting for her. Can I give her your name?”
I let out a defeated breath, knowing my next request will further solidify this woman’s skeptical opinion of me. But I’m worried Sophie won’t come down if she knows it’s me.
“Would you mind just telling her that an item of hers was found, and is waiting here for her?”
“Ok…so, you’d like to leave it here at the desk then?” She picks up the phone.
“No.” I gulp again. “I’d like to give it to her personally.”
She raises an eyebrow. “But…you don’t want me to tell her your name?”
I look at her with chaotic desperation. “I know, it doesn’t make any sense…but yes, if you could leave that part out, please.”
She watches me for another few seconds, eyebrows pulled together, and then she sighs and begins to dial. “I’ll need you to meet her right here by the desk, please.”
I nod and take a step backward as she makes the call.
