‘Look,’ he says, grabbing the back of his neck and scowling, ‘it’s probably too late to find somewhere else anyway, so I’ll sleep out on the balcony tonight and we’ll sort out a better solution tomorrow. Okay?’
‘Are you su?—’
‘I’m sure.’
Then he reaches around me and unlocks the door because Istillhaven’t collected the key I handed back to reception on day one.
We go inside and someone’s been in for turn-down service – the lamps cast a warm glow throughout the suite and the bed is turned down on each side, our pillow fort yet to be assembled. Only tonight, we won’t need it.
‘Uh, do you mind if I use the bathroom first?’ Nick asks.
‘No, no, go ahead.’
He nods curtly, grabs a few things from his duffel, and goes into the bathroom. I stand in the middle of the living room, looking around like John Travolta in that meme, wondering what the hell to do with myself.
Megan – I should call Megan. She might yell at me, but she’ll be a voice of reason. Which I need, even if I don’t want it – like broccoli for the soul.
I take my phone out of my purse and go outside, pacing the length of the balcony while I wait for her to pick up.
‘Hey,’ she says after three rings.
‘Hey.’
‘Uh-oh, what’s going on?’
I snort out softly. ‘You can tell something’s up from one syllable?’
‘Um, hello? That’s insulting.’
‘I kissed Nick. Or he kissed me. We kissed.’
‘Ooh. Was it hot?’
‘Are you kidding me, Megs?’ I hiss. ‘I’m freaking out here.’
‘Calm down, drama queen.’
‘The absolute worst thing to say to someone to make them calm down.’
‘I looked him up, you know,’ she says, abruptly changing the subject.
‘Who? Nick?’
‘Yes. Stunt coordinator, Nick James. I mean, holy shit – you weren’t kidding about the whole superhero thing. Did you know he doubled for Henry Cavill?’
‘Wait, what?’
‘InMan of Steel– as in, he actuallyisSuperman. You kissed Superman, Laney. Oh my god,’ she says, starting to laugh. ‘You’re Lois – LoisLane-y and he’s frigging Superman,’ she says, barely getting the words out because she’s laughing her ass off.
‘Megan –Megs.’
‘Phoof,’ she sighs, chuckling to herself, ‘I haven’t had a laugh like that in?—’
‘Please, what do I do here?’
‘Okay, okay – let’s think about this,’ she says, switching effortlessly into sensible-mom mode. ‘You kissed and I’m guessing it was hot or you wouldn’t be having kittens right now – am I right?’
‘Mm-hmm,’ I say, pacing again.