“Sorry, that’s the best I can offer you. I’m still not completely convinced you’re not deranged.”
“Neither am I,” I mumble, and Charlotte laughs. “Well, will you at least tell her the whole story? You know, try to convince her my intentions are sincere?”
“Hell no. That’s your crazy-ass story to tell, not mine. I’ll give her your number and tell her to call you and then I’m out.”
“But she won’t call me if you don’t butter her up for me, Charlotte.”
“Nope. Sorry. I’ve got no butter for ya, sweetie. I’ll give her your number and tell her you’re dying for her to call you. And that’s it.”
I grunt in frustration. “Do you want me to beg you? Because I will. I’ve never begged a woman in my life, but I’m begging you now, Charlotte McDougal.” Even though Charlotte can’t see me do it, I sink to my knees on the soft grass in front of the koi pond and tilt my face up to the glorious blue sky. “Please, Charlotte McDougal.I beg you.I just got down on my knees for you at the edge of a koi pond. I’mpleadingwith you, Charlotte.Prayingto the fish gods you’ll help me. Oh, look, the koi are praying with me, putting their little fins together.”
She laughs. “You’re very strange, Ryan. I’m not sure you’re helping your cause right now, unless convincing me you’re a nut job is part of your strategy?”
“I’m kneeling at the edge of a koi pond.”
“Okay, well, that’s totally normal. Look, you can pray with your fish-friends all you want, dude, but I’m not giving you my best friend’s phone number and I’m not gonna try to convince her of anything, either. She thinks you’re a total and complete dick and, hey, for all I know, she’s right. So, whatever she decides to do with your phone number, that’s up to her.”
“And if she doesn’t call me? What then?”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to gather all your crazy-marbles off the floor, stuff ’em back into your head or feed ’em to the fishies, and move the fuck on.”
22
Ryan
“...and the great floodgates of the wonder-world swung open.”
Ibarrel into the lobby, my mind reeling from my call with Charlotte. Samanthamightcall me... and she might not? Three months of waiting and searching and obsessing has led tothat? Fuck my life. And fuck Charlotte.
A smiling woman in a Hawaiian dress places a flower lei over my head while a dude offers a tray of mai tais. I grab two drinks, pound the first one, and scan the spacious lobby of the hotel while sipping the second.
About half our group is still standing in line for check-in while the other half is scattered around, chatting and drinking happy juice. I spot my mom and dad nearby, talking to my uncle, and shuffle my sorry ass toward them, glancing around the breathtaking lobby as I go. Wow, this place is really—
Holy shit.
I choke on my mai tai. There’s a woman at the far end of the lobby with her back to me... who... even from this distance... and even from behind... looksexactlylike...Samantha.Well, at least as far as I can remember Samantha after all this time. But, still, holy fucking shit, I’d swear it’s her!
For a long beat, I can’t move. Have I had a psychotic break? I’d swear on my life that’s Samantha’s ass. And hair. And skin. And something in the way she’s tilting her head as she talks... Could it really be her? She’s talking to another woman with a clipboard, and by the way she’s gesticulating as she talks... It seems fucking crazy, I know, but there’s suddenly no doubt in my mind:that’s Samantha.
Without consciously intending to do it, I begin loping toward the mystery woman, my heart thudding painfully in my chest. Every cell in my body is vibrating. My skin is electrified. I’m feeling exactly the way I did when I first laid eyes on Samantha at The Pine Box—like my soul is on fire. Shit, even if this woman isn’t Samantha, then fuck it, I’m gonna seduce her tonight, regardless, because, glory be, this is the first woman in three fucking months who’s managed to make my dick sit up and take notice.
I’m mere yards away from the woman now—close enough to hear her voice.
Oh my God, that voice! “Samantha,” I choke out, but she doesn’t react. “Samantha?” I shout, this time from two feet behind her. But, still, she doesn’t turn around. I lurch around to the front of her... and promptly have a fucking heart attack.
The entire world is buckling and warping around me.
Oh my fucking God.
She’s even more beautiful than I remembered her.
I was a fool to think these past three months of monkish-ness have been about anything or anyone other than her. She’s the woman of my dreams.I want her.
“Samantha!”
23
Ryan
