Page 50 of Sort of Seeing Someone

By the time he returns his attention to me and lets go of my hand, he’s none the wiser to fact that myExexveei came back in full swing, showing me a glimpse of his future.

His future, dating me.

15

Chapter Fifteen

I’m next in line at the Roscoe Village post office, a branch notorious for having some of the most cutthroat clerks in all of Chicago. Things I’ve learned since doing my monthly shipments here? No, they will not let you borrow a marker; your boxes better not come in with duct tape on them; never try to claim a crystal as “media mail;” and when they call “Next!” you better be at that open station faster than the speed of a sneeze. That’s why they hung a sign that says “No Cell Phone Use.” But when the lines are twenty minutes deep, it’s hard to resist a little doom scrolling as you wait for your turn be aghast at the price of stamps these days.

I hide my phone in the crook of myoversizedblack sweatshirt that has a little Diet Coke can embroidered on the chest. This was one of those delightfully weird thrift store finds I couldn’t resist, and a nod to my guiltiest pleasure. While perusing Instagram,Brody’slatest post pops up on my feed. It’s him at the San Diego airport with his feet kicked up on his luggage.

And I’m off. Any guesses where to next? Here’s a hint…

The caption ends with the emoji of a pizza slice and immediately I’m struck. Whether it’s deep dish or tavern style, Chicago is indisputably known for its pizza (and its corrupt politicians, and the wind, and the crime, and…I’m really selling it, aren’t I?).

Brody is on his way to Chicago, I think to myself as I remember Esther not-so-loosely indicating that I’d get a second chance with the one. I know he was giving Tweedle-Dee (okay, maybe Dumb) vibes, but I’m almost positive he only broke up with me because his agent told him a single Brody is a more marketable Brody—which is just as ridiculous as telling him to ditch the name “Kevin.” Regardless, as much as he tried to play our breakup cool via text,Brody appears to be ready for round two. I flick my ringer to “on” so as not to miss a call or text and slide my phone back into my leggings side pocket.

As soon as I do, it rings and my heart skips several beats as I whip out my phone quicker than aTikTokteenager. Alas, the caller ID says it’s TheBrockmeierHotel calling. I’ve already been paid in full—plus a bonus transfer of $180 as someone did in fact buy theperidotlava bracelet. Perhaps I left something of mine in the room (other than my ability to ever stay the night in anythingbuta presidential suite ever again)?

I answer the phone with a hushedHello, expecting to hear Mr.Macnider’sdeep voice or perhaps the sound of his peppy executive assistant on the other end.

“Did the Lady in Red give you any trouble?”

“Oh. Ollie. Hi.”

I keep my voice to a whisper, trying to avoid death stares from the people around me who are actually obeying the no-phone rule.

“How did you know it was me?”

“Caller ID? Swedish accent? Not exactly a hard code to crack.”

“Speaking of codes to crack…remember the pop-up escape room at the party?”

“No,” I answer. “I was working.”

“Right. Well, they left some free entry coupons behind for the staff. I thought since you didn’t get to experience it the other night while you wereworking, you should get first dibs on checking it out. What do you think?”

I don’t intend to answer his question with a question, but here we go.

“How’d you get my number?”

“From Mr.Macnider’sassistant.”

Of course he comes locked and loaded with a logical response. However, getting my number from the general manager’s assistant seems like a lot of effort for some coupons, I mentally note as he carries on.

“If you’ve never been to one, they are super fun. There’s a little bit of math, some science, and of course problem-solving.”

All of the things I love!

“Honestly, the escape room was one of thecoolerthings at the party this year,” he says, complete with a micro-dig and all.

“Anyway, they’ve got some availability tonight around seven. You should go.”

Tempted to borrow his line and claim that escape roomsaren’t really my thing, I instead decide to go with the truth as I nudge one spot closer in the line.

“While it’s incredibly kind of you to think of me in the same sentence as math, science, and problem solving, I’m sort of busy right now getting full-moon orders out. Plus, I don’t really think this is something my sisters would want to go to and I’m pretty sure you need a bunch ofwilling and able people to do an escape room.”

“The voucher is actually just for two people. And don’t worry. They’ll pair us with four others to make a group of six.”

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