Page 111 of Betting on the Best Friend
“Houston,” Ava says. “That’s right.”
“Yes. After that, I’m not sure how easy it will be, especially if he stays at the central library. He’s so good at avoiding me that it hurts my feelings.”
“Don’t put too much pressure on the conference,” Sami says. “Y’all are meant to be. It will work out, even if it’s not this week.”
I give her a long, silent look.
Ava clears her throat. “I think what Ruby is saying is that she has no interest in waiting.”
“All right, then,” Madison says. “Ruby, can you pick up your mug?”
I lift it from the coffee table while Madison goes and gets the hat and sash from Ava. She sets them on the table and frowns. “I need more stuff.” She adds a few throw pillows. “Perfect. I’ve always wanted to do this.”
Then she leans over and swipes all of it to the floor. “All right, team. It’s time to make a plan.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ruby
I stare at thedesk clerk, the noise of the bustling hotel lobby fading behind me.
“Ma’am?” The clerk is a guy about my age, and I glare at the “ma’am.”
“Ruby is fine. Tell me the problem again?”
“We received your library’s purchase order for the room stay, but we don’t show a reservation in your name.” His tone is apologetic.
“I don’t understand. Wouldn’t getting the purchase order guarantee the reservation?”
“It covers the cost, but you still have to reserve it directly to book the type of room you want and secure a credit card for incidentals.”
I know it’s hopeless before the words leave my mouth, but I have to try. “Can I get a room for the same rate? Or even a more expensive one and pay the difference?” I can throw myself on Sandy’s mercy when I get back.
He glances past me to the hive of activity. “We’re full due to the conference.”
“So what am I supposed to do?” I ask calmly, but inside, it is a wail.
He looks at me helplessly. “Try one of the online booking sites? I have to process these people behind you, but if you haven’t found something by then, I’ll see what we can do with some of our partner properties.”
There’s no point in arguing. This isn’t his fault.
I weave through the librarians milling in the lobby, looking for anywhere I can sit and figure this out. It’s packed, every seat taken by people who probably aren’t panicking about their hotel rooms.
Charlie texts right then.
All checked in. You here?
We’ve texted all week. I waited to see if he would suggest making the three-hour drive to Houston together. He didn’t.
Other than that, we’ve texted like normal. And since we spent the week just being us, I’m hoping it reminds him of what a lucky thing that is that we get to be. Oh, and plotting how to convince him to let us evolve into our best form.
No, not convince him. Help him accept its inevitability.
Anyway, the plan is in place. It’s as perfect as a plan can be. But I’m going to need to be able to stay at this conference to put it into play.
Here but problem with my room
What problem?
