I arch a brow. “You sure you trust me to do that? It’s the big smoke compared to Spring Haven. We could gorealcrazy.”
“Like what?”
Rubbing my chin, I try to think of something truly out there just to get a reaction out of him. “Hmm. We could go get matchin’ tattoos or somethin’? It would be an awesome way to commemorate our trip.”
Red's eyes jump wide, and he tilts his head. I have to bite back a giggle as he tries to decide if I'm being serious or not. His gaze narrows. "You'd get a tattoo?"
My shoulder bounces. “I have one already. What’s one more?”
That earns a whole-body jerk and eyes as big as saucers shooting my way. "Youdo?”
“You really didn’t know?”
He shakes his head in disbelief. "You, Margaret Lucille Gallagher, have just officially shocked me. I had no idea.” There’s no stopping the big beaming smile that appears on my face. “But I’m not sure I want a tattoo. What middle-aged dad of a newly-minted adult just goes out and does that on a whim?”
"One who let his best friend choose the activities for the night? But don't worry, Red. We'll nix the tattoo idea. I'll come up with somethin' though. It can be my surprise to you."
“Deal. Want to shake on it?” he says, holding his hand out in the air between us.
“Nah, eyes on the road, Grayson. And while you do that, I’ll find us a place to stay tonight.”
“As long as it’s not pink,” he grumbles.
I scoff and shake my head. “You’re a dork, Redmond.”
“Lucky I’m your dork.” His breath catches as soon as the words are out of his mouth and I quickly school my own shock.
“I—ah… I’m goin’ to get back to my book,” I rush out, grabbing my e-book reader and waving it in the air. “I’m, um… up to a really good bit. Yeah.”
“Good… that’s good… better make these calls and move the meetin’s forward,” he says, stumbling over his words just like I did.
Awkwardness, this isgreat.
I just hope Aster's book gives me some tips because right now, I feel like I'm blindfolded.
19
RED
“Oh,” Mags says when we step inside the room she booked for us in Anchorage.
If we thought the exterior of the building was interesting, it’s got nothing on the motel room itself. There’s bright orange and green wallpaper and brown shaggy carpet. The blankets on the beds are another shade of brown with tassels at the ends, the nightstands are topped with kitschy lamps with an off-white base and finished off with fringed lamp shades. It’s a room straight out of a bad seventies movie.
“Is thatvinyl,” she says, her lips twitching. “Haven’t seen a sofa like that since I was probably conceived on one.”
I look over at the tan-colored vinyl couch in question. “I don’t think I can ever look at that piece of furniture the same again.”
“Hey. At least vinyl can be wiped down. It’s probably the cleanest place in the joint,” she replies.
At that and taking in the whole room, I burst out laughing which sets Mags off too. And wouldn’t you know it, that’s all it takes to make the weird vibe between us disappear.
I was worried for a while on the drive here after I stupidly put my foot in my mouth and called myself “her dork” not realizing how she might take it. After that, I figured it was safer to just not talk and ignore the giant Call-sized elephant between us.
Then I focused on things Icouldcontrol and made my calls to the two potential buyers I was due to meet, bringing forward all of our meetings to today before stopping for a truck stop lunch. From there, it was off to Whittier then Kongiganak, bringing us back to now and the retro wonderland motel room.
Mags throws herself onto the bed, bouncing slightly on the squeaky springs. "This brings back memories of road trips with my folks. We were always stayin’ in quirky places like this.”
"Quirky is definitelyoneword to describe this place,” I reply with a warm smile.
