After parking, we begin unloading. Emerson is the first out. She takes off angrily.
“Emerson, I said I was sorry,” Kel yells after her, but she doesn’t acknowledge him. As I close my door, Finn speaks.
“Liz, could you hold up for a minute?”
“I guess.”
After everyone leaves, he removes his sunglasses and walks around the car toward me.
“So tomorrow, can I pick you up at five?”
I nod. “That’s fine. Why not just text me?”
“I wanted to make sure you were still okay with it. You’re hard to read in text.”
“I said I’d go. I keep my promises.”
Starting to walk to the elevator, he catches up with me. “Are you angry with me about something?” he asks.
I swallow hard. I’m not good with hiding my emotions. “Not at all. Just in a funk today.”
“I’d say everyone is.”
He places his hand on the small of my back as we step into the elevator. I both love and hate that he’s touching me. “What should I wear?” I ask.
“Whatever you’re comfortable in. We’re going to a restaurant downtown so I can show my parents around, but it’s casual.”
“Ugh, that doesn’t help.”
“It doesn’t?” he laughs.
“Not really. I mean, causal like casual Friday attire or casual like jeans?”
He smirks. “Anything you wear will be fine.”
“I don’t want to overdress and have them think I’m uppity or underdress and make them think I’m a bum.”
The doors chime for my floor and I make my way through them.
“They’re going to love you. Don’t worry.”
The doors close just as he winks at me. I wish he’d stop that.
We’re all sitting in the car, except for Kel. It’s 5:17 and Finn keeps glancing at the time.
“Did you try texting him?” Emerson asks.
“Yeah, twice. No answer,” Finn replies.
“I think we should leave his ass here.” Emerson crosses her arms and leans her head back on the seat.
A few minutes later, I see him running. “There he is.”
He’s holding a rolled-up paper bag in his hands as he approaches. Opening the door, he huffs and puffs his way in.
“Dude, where were you?” Emerson asks. “We were just about to leave.”
“No, we weren’t, but I was concerned when you didn’t answer my texts. Is everything alright?” Finn questions.
