Page 119 of The Disasters of Dating
“Are you taking my lunch hour?”
Kendra nods. “Yep. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I smile. “Go do something fun.” I hurry to add. “Although, you may want to avoid eye contact with Roger. He’s in the ‘asking-to-dinner’ mood today.”
She cringes. “Thanks for the heads up! Have a great evening.”
“You, too,” I wave as she walks out of the shop.
Now, I need to keep myself busy until Keaton’s flight comes in.
I’ve straightened every shelf in the shop. It looks as good as it did after we did our spring cleaning. I keep glancing toward the gates where Keaton usually flies in. The Omaha, Nebraska, group has left, and they are starting to load the flight for Miami. I wonder which of those people are going home and which are going for business or pleasure. What is there even to do in Miami?
I grab my phone out of my pocket and Google ‘Things to do in Miami’. The AI assistant pulls up a neatly organized list. It used to annoy me. I mean, just show me the websites. But I have to admit, I’ve kind of gotten used to the abbreviated bulleted breakdown.
I read through the list. South Beach, Biscayne National Park, and The Everglades. I wonder if any of those people are going on an airboat ride? Miami seems like it might be a fun place to visit. They have a lot of museums. A zoo and an aquarium—which seems both weird and natural. It feels kind of like having a pool when you live on the beach. I’ve never fully understood why you needed two sources for swimmingso close together. But Paisleigh says they are completely different. I’m taking her word for it.
Several customers come in and I ring them up, my gaze carefully watching the gates. The Wichita flight just left. That leaves two gates open for Keaton’s flight. I watch as the sign turns from Miami departure to Atlantic City arrival. My lips turn down.
“Is something the matter, Miss?” An older gentleman at the checkout asks.
I pull my attention back to him. “Excuse me?” I say in a more chipper Aussie accent than I’m feeling.
“You were frowning just then. I wondered if there was something the matter.” His eyes are kind, and he reminds me a bit of my Grandpa Tim. Man, I haven’t seen him or Grandma Sue in weeks. I need to see them. Maybe after school tomorrow. “I hate to see a pretty gal like you unhappy.”
I smile at not Grandpa Tim. “I’m sorry if I was frowning, love.” I’m not really feeling the accent, but I’m too far in to drop it now. “I was hoping the Boston flight would be arriving soon. But it looks like Atlantic City be coming in first.” Apparently, I’m an Aussie pirate.
His brow furrows. “You have the flight schedule memorized?” It’s kind of him not to mention my terrible accent. He pats my hand. “My dear, I think you work too much.”
I grin as he picks up his little plastic bag of snacks and walks out of the shop. “G’day. Have a great flight,” I call after him. He stops and turns enough to give me a smile and a little wave. Man, it’s people like that who make me stay working here at the airport. That and it’s great research for when I open my own shops.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
I pull it out to see a message from Keaton. I frown. Does this mean his flight’s delayed? My stomach sinks in disappointment.
Keaton
Hey, what’s up?
Nothing. Just working. What about you? I thought I’d see you by now.
Keaton
My flight was delayed again.
Dang it. Am I going tomiss seeing you?
Keaton
Not if I can help it. You look too cute tonight to miss taking you to dinner.
I reread the message. I look too cute? How does he kno—I look up and scan the terminal outside The Wandering Reader. There, leaning against a pillar, is Keaton, looking far too good for someone just coming off a cross-country flight. I smile.
I’m not the only one looking good tonight.
Keaton
But you don’t look rumpled and smell like burnt coffee.
