Page 66 of The Disasters of Dating
I narrow my eyes slightly. An idiot? Really?
“It’s okay, though. We’re done here. I’ll see you in the morning at the board meeting. We’ll have Nathan, Greg, and Lawrence attend as well.” They were the three newly listed presidents of our shell corporations. As presidents of record, Evan had put them on the board of Noveani Technologies. So it will not be just Evan, me, and our attorney (my dad) at our board meetings. “Go see what your mystery girl wants. And have a safe flight.” Evan gives a flick of his brows.
I nod. “Thanks. See you in the morning.” I click the disconnect button, and Evan’s big face vanishes. I relax back into my chair as I grab my phone.
Poppy
Hey, I know this is short notice, but I wondered if you wanted to go to a football game with me tonight? I know you’re supposed to fly out, so if you can’t, I get it. No worries.
Football? Who’s Playing?
Poppy
The University of Utah vs. Stanford. My brother has season tickets, but his wife is about to deliver the baby any day. She put her foot down about going (she said she isn’t allowing the birth of their child to be broadcast on a Jumbotron), so he gave them to me. YAY!!!
I stare at the screen. She wants to go to a football game with me? Poppy loves football. It feels like this might be a shift in our relationship. Who will she take if I say no? Will she ask her friend Paisleigh? Or is there another guy she’d ask? I frown at that thought.
Tapping my finger on the desk, I sigh. I want to say yes. I’ve done so little outside of work the last two months. But I know Evan wants me at the board meeting even though half of the board will call in remotely. I raise a brow. If they’re calling in, why can’t I?
I pull up the flight schedule and see there’s a flight leaving Salt Lake at 10 a.m. tomorrow. That would give me time to call into the meeting.I could do any of my work on the plane ride back and have a decent night’s sleep for once. And…I’d get to go to the football game with Poppy.
I smack my hand on my desk. “One remote board meeting won’t kill the company,” I mutter. “Screw it.”
I’m in.
Poppy
Are you sure you can change your flight? I don’t want to get you into trouble with your boss.
Don’t worry. I can handle my boss.
Do you want me to meet you there?
Poppy
If you want. Or…I could pick you up.
I grin. I think that means she wants to spend more time together. Which is fine by me. I’ll spend as much time with her as I can.
I’d love to drive up with you if it’s not too much trouble.
Poppy
No trouble at all. See you at 6:30?
6:30? Isn’t that a little late? Will we miss kickoff?
Poppy
It’s a late start game. Because of the broadcasting schedule, it doesn’t start until 9. Does that change your answer?
I blink. So much for my good night’s sleep. If the game doesn’t start until 9, it probably won’t end until after midnight. Then the hour-long drive back to my hotel. I’m looking at getting to bed at 1 a.m., best-case scenario. I have to be up and dressed for the board meeting by 5. So I’m looking at maybe four hours of sleep. I look at my phone and the picture of Poppy and me from our hike. I’d made it her contact picture. I’d considered making it my wallpaper, but I thought if she happened to see it, it might freak her out.
Her big, happy smile looks back at me.
Not at all! I’m totally good with a late start. Do you want to grab dinner before? I can be ready earlier if you need me to.
My eyes burn at the prospect of my late night. Man, it’s like I’m in my fifties or something. I’m only twenty-six. I can handle the lack of sleep.
