Page 37 of Holidate Fail
“No, bro. But I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
Dahlia huffed and turned her head toward the window. “It doesn’t prove anything.”
“Dammit, Dahlia. We’ve known each other for over ten years. If I wanted something from you, I’d just ask.”
“So why didn’t you?”
This was going nowhere. “As much as I like Heath and Lacole, this should be a private and personal conversation.” He cast her a sidelong glance, but she remained resolutely looking out the windshield. “We’ll discuss it when we’re back at Fountenoy Hall.”
“No.” Dahlia gave a soft huff of breath. “No, I don’t think we will.”
Kelly willed himself still, even though his hands tightened on the steering wheel and his chest ached. Dahlia needed time. Soon they’d be able to sort out what happened. Until then, he kept the small flame for her in his heart and let her have the retreat she desired.
***
“Thank you,” Kelly said to the smiling mother of the smiling family as he held open the door to Georgia Adventures. Even though everyone had a good time rafting on the lazy river, he couldn’t wrap up this trip fast enough. They waved as they exited the brick building. His t-shirt was wet from the swim they’d taken, and he gave them one last wave as the kids turned the corner and out of sight.
Vin gave the paddles a quick inspection before putting them in the large bin, even though they’d hardly been used. “They seemed like they had fun.”
“Yeah.” Kelly stored his paddle behind the counter, then turned back to his partner.
“She hasn’t called,” Vin answered without him asking.
Of course she hadn’t. Since they returned from the Tri-Shine Stills and Dash, Kelly held out hope for a phone call, a text. Hell, even an email. But Dahlia had gone radio silent.
It had now been two weeks, and the longing for her intensified every day. He’d looked her up on the Holidates app, but she’d taken down her profile. Part of him was relieved that she wasn’t scoping out any more blind dates. He’d mentioned Dahlia a few times when gaming with Wayne, but her brother never caught on to what he was really asking.
She had just…left. Left him, left Fountenoy Hall, left the race sponsors that wanted a piece of them for publicity and other officials that swarmed like yellow flies when they had arrived, left before the silly awards ceremony for last place that meant nothing without her. By the time he, Lacole, and Heath were positioned on the staircase landing, Dahlia had already fled. All he’d seen were brake lights in the dust.
The last-place prize of an empty flask and six-pack of non-alcoholic beer were poor substitutes.
The phone rang, and he snatched it up. “Georgia Adventures.”
“Can I talk to Kelly Brannigan?”
He didn’t recognize the voice. “This is he.”
“Kelly, my name is Alana Fuentes. I work for Tourism and Travel Georgia. Listen, we were given your name to explore as a possible partnership for raising awareness of all Georgia has to offer.”
“Yeah?” Wow, could he sound any more articulate?
“TTG ranks in the top ten percent of websites that tourists use for their vacations. Do you have some time to talk?”
Kelly looked at his calendar. Georgia Adventures bookings had increased, but he was free for the next hour. If the rate of reservations kept up, soon they’d be able to hire an office assistant and he wouldn’t be stuck waiting by the phone.
Answering the phone. He wouldn’t be stuck answering the phone.
He glanced over at Vin, but he was across the floor space with his tablet and didn’t need him. “Sure.”
Ten minutes later, Kelly thanked Alana for the opportunity and gave her the Georgia Adventure email address so she could forward more information about the partnership.
“Kelly, it’s been great talking to you,” Alana said. “Dr. Pesch sure knew what she was talking about when she gave us your name.”
He froze at the name. “Dr…Dahlia Pesch?” Unless Wayne had gotten a Ph.D. when he wasn’t looking.
A spark of hope that he dare not question slid through his system. Was this her way of saying she believed him? That she realized her mistake? He slid his hand over his cell phone tucked into his pocket as the spark sputtered. Then why hadn’t she called?
“That’s the one,” Alana said. “We’ll be in touch.”
