Page 82 of The Disasters of Dating
I shake my head. “There will be no tickling. I’m giving them to Paisleigh. They’ll look way better on her, and she actually likes them.”
My mom narrows her eyes, but then she seems to think better of a lecture. “Okay. I guess it’s better than them hanging in your closet until they’re out of style.”
I nod. “That’s exactly what I said.”
Paisleigh looks between the two of us. “I don’t need them if it’s going to be a problem.”
My mom shakes her head and smiles. “No, Paisleigh. It’s no problem, dear.” She takes a step out into the hallway. “Well, you girls have fun. I’m going to the church fundraising meeting, and I don’t think I’ll be back before you leave for work, Pops. If I don’t see you, have a great day!” She turns and heads down the hallway before I have a chance to question her about the supposed church fundraiser…
I wish Keaton were in town and I could talk to him about this. I guess I could call him? I shake my head. He gets in tonight and I’ll see him tomorrow. Maybe we can talk about it while we wait for ice cream.
CHAPTER 24
KEATON
It will be worth your time to follow the advice given to you.
Learn Chinese: ?? — Pàiduì — Party
Lucky Numbers: 47, 14, 33, 96
I shouldermy backpack and walk—or rather sulk—to the car rental location. My flight arrived late, and Poppy must have been on her dinner break because that Kendra girl was the one in the shop.
I pull up the app and look out over the fleet of cars. I’d rented this time instead of Ubering because I’m planning on hanging out with Poppy on at least Monday and Tuesday night. Maybe having a car will put me on the non-tourist side of the list? Maybe if I actually pick her up for our date—yes, I’m calling it that—then she will see me as dateable.
I find the closest car and scan the QR code into the app. It gives me the green checkmark, which I think means I’m good to go. If not, I suppose I’ll be arrested for car theft. Hmmm. Maybe Poppy had been on to something errant in my personality.
I slowly pull out of the stall, waiting for security or at least a car rental guy to come running through the parking lot with arms waving. But no one does. Possibly because it’s after eight. It’s not dark yet, but the sky is just starting to pink in the west.
Before I pull out of the parking structure and into the traffic, I roll my shoulders and take a deep breath. I’lltext Poppy, and we can confirm our date for tomorrow night. I’d have preferred to do it face to face, but the airline had other plans.
I grab my phone and pull up her contact. A horn honks behind me, so I quickly push the microphone button and start talking as I pull out into traffic.
Hey, you must be at dinner. Text me when you are done with work or have a second to chat.
I press send and give my full focus to finding my way out of the airport and onto the interstate.
I press my phone up to the lock on my hotel room door and nothing happens. Ugh, I don’t know why I keep doing the digital key thing. It seems to only work like fifty percent of the time—just enough to get your hopes up. Why does this have to be one of the other fifty percent? I’m so not in the mood.
Apparently, I have paid little to no attention while being shuttled back and forth in the Ubers because nothing looked familiar on my way down to Lehi. I almost missed the exit because I was too busy trying to spot something…anything that looked familiar. But now I’m here and ready to crash, which will have to wait until I get an actual key card.
I shrug up my backpack and grab hold of my suitcase handle, dragging it down the hall behind me. Slamming a hand against the elevator button, I wait in a huff for it to reach my floor.
I roll my shoulders, but it does little to relieve my irritation. Getting an apartment is looking better and better. Maybe that’s what I should do on my lunch breaks.
The doors finally open and I step in, pushing the button for the lobby level. As the door closes, I lean against the side wall and close my eyes. But it isn’t long before the elevator dings and opens into the lobby.
The guy at the front desk smiles as I approach. “Good evening, sir. Are you checking in tonight? Do you have the app? There is the option of a mobile key in the app. You might want to consider it if you will be staying with us for a while.”
I just stare at him as he babbles on. My mouth must have pulled into a frown because he stops talking and his brow creases.
“I have the app. My mobile key isn’t working.”
His perky smile drops slightly. “I’m so sorry about that, sir.” He types on the computer. “What is your room number?”
“614.”
He nods and continues typing, and I have to wonder if it’s a way for him to stall and avoid talking to me. “Last name?”
