Page 57 of Love in the Stacks
Molly:
Is that all?
Nicole:
Yes. But I’m finally ready for more, if he still wants it
Molly:
Of course he does
Olivia:
of course he does
Nicole:
Oookay. Well we’re driving back to fl todayso wish me luck
Molly:
Good luck!
Ipack my suitcase the next morning, and shift around my books to condense them into fewer bags, if possible. It’s a really good thing we didn’t end up flying.
Adam texts to meet him in the hotel lobby at eight. He also texts a meme that says:
“Last night, I had a nightmare that disco music was making a comeback. At first, I was afraid. I was petrified!”
It’s funny, but I maybe expected something, I don’t know … flirtier after last night. A meme that acknowledges the shift between us, that signals that he wants to pursue a relationship with me and see where this goes. But maybe that’s asking too much of a meme.
I run down to the lobby to get a luggage cart—there’s no way I’m going to be able to carry everything on my own. I load up the cart and steer it precariously out my hotel room door, down the hall, and into the elevator. When I arrive in the lobby, Adam’s already waiting for me. He sees me pushing the cart, and leaving his suitcase, rushes over to take it from me.
“I forgot about your bags of books,” he says as he approaches. “I’m sorry. I would have met you at your room to help.”
I wave a hand. “No need. I have it all under control.” Of course, the cart takes that moment to decide to zig when I’m clearly telling it to zag, and I crash it into a trashcan.
“I can see that.” He grins and moves to stand in front of me. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he murmurs, “Good morning.”
Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and for once, I let them stay. I smile up at Adam. “Good morning to you.”
“Full disclosure: I didn’t get very much sleep last night.”
“Oh,” I say, as my brain starts to spin with a thousand scenarios. “Did you go out again?” Maybe he ended up meeting with that redhead after all. Maybe he wanted to go explore Bourbon Street.
Adam looks surprised. “Of course not. I was just restless and then I started thinking about my dad, and I ended up playing a computer game until much too late.”
I relax my shoulders. “You couldn’t sleep?”
He shakes his head. “Do you mind driving? At least for the first little while?”
I shuffle back a step. “Really?” I gape, grabbing his arm. “You actually trust me to drive your car again after what happened?”
He shrugs. “Of course.” He drops his voice. “That flat tire could have happened to anyone, Nicole. It wasn’t your fault.”
I nod and blink back a few tears. The flat tire reallyfeelslike my fault. But Adam still trusts me. “I’ll still be extra careful,” I promise.
He hands me the keys. “If you go get the car and pull it around out front, I’ll get all the luggage loaded.”
