"This is Linda from Ocean Breeze Getaways, and I'm calling with a special exclusive offer for seniors sixty-five and older. You've been selected to receive a deeply discounted luxury cruise to the Caribbean! This is a limited-time opportunity just for seniors like you. We just need a small deposit today to secure your spot. Can I go ahead and process that for you?"
What the fuck? "Excuse me? What on earth are you talking about? And how did you get this number?"
"Oh! Well, according to our records, you entered a raffle at the Metropolitan Club's annual gala. You might remember filling out a card for a luxury travel giveaway? That's how we got your name, and now you're eligible for this special senior offer!"
This woman thought I was over sixty-five? And that I filled out a card for a luxury travel giveaway? Why the hell would she say that?
"Just hang up, bro," Archie said, wiser than his years.
Right. He was absolutely correct. "I think you have the wrong number," I said to the woman before ending the call.
How fucking weird.
Shaking it off, I came back to the task at hand, ordering food for this always-starving beast next to me, and keeping an eye out forher.
While we waited for our dinner, a few people began to trickle by across the street, making their way toward the massive metal door of the old factory. There was a string of exposed bulbs lighting up the entrance, the only thing indicating something might be happening inside.
Leaning forward, I did my best to study each person, quickly scanning them against my memories of her, all of her luscious curves, her height wearing those damn heels, her long hair that flowed past her shoulders.
More and more people began to show up, and I watched them all like a hawk, so focused I forgot where I was. My heart pounded at the possibility of spotting her without any disguise and seeing what I knew was the most beautiful face in the world.
Food might have been served in front of me, my brother might have spoken, a chair might have been scraped across the floor behind me. But it all faded into the background as I strained to catch every last person arriving, my entire focus drilled into that propped-open factory door.
"Holy shit," I heard Archie say. "You're looking for her, aren't you?"
That caught my attention, and I turned to see him taking the biggest bite of his burger humanly possible. Opening his mouth, he started to speak again, until I held out a hand in an attempt to stop him.
To my shock, he paused. Was he actually going to listen to me after all the times I'd told him not to talk with his mouth full?
A second later, his garbled words came out. "You're totally spying on her, you dog."
Manners could wait, and so could Archie because I had an obsession to maintain. Ignoring him, I returned my focus to the window, intent on keeping up my stakeout, absentmindedly eating a fry every once in a while as I stared relentlessly.
"I'll help you," Archie said, shocking me. "What does she look like?"
"A fucking goddess."
"I thought you said not to swear."
"Do as I say, not as I do, kid."
He laughed. "Uh, okay."
The crowd of people across the street turned back into a trickle, that hope and excitement about seeing her fading into an anxious dread that this entire endeavor had been a waste and I wouldn't actually get to see her.
Fuck.
When the metal door slammed shut, absolute fucking depression set in. I picked up my now cold burger and bit into it, not even tasting it.
"Hey, can I order more food?" Archie asked, oblivious to my despair.
"Knock yourself out."
Taking his empty plate up to the bar, he spoke to the waiter there who was doing double duty tonight. I kept an eye on him as well as one on the street, because maybe she was late?
It seemed to take forever for Archie to order more food. What was he doing? Asking for everything on the menu? I wouldn't put it past him and his bottomless pit of a stomach.
Finally, he returned to the table, taking his seat beside me with a smirk on his face. "So why do you think she's hiding from you?" he asked.
