“Fun?” she offers.
“I was going to say adventurous, but yeah, she’s definitely the fun sister.”
The exodus has reached our row, and as she stands, she smiles and says, “The world loves to pigeon-hole women: you’rethe fun one or the boring one, the smart one or the creative one, the outspoken one or the kind one. Defy the labels.Be them all.”
She’s right. If only it were that easy. She’s almost to the exit before I collect my things and follow her.
I’m still groggy, but the walk through the airport is bringing me back to life with each step. Nerves are kicking in, but so is the hunger for a new challenge. Because that’s what this job is, a scary new challenge.
I follow the signs to baggage claim and ground transportation and text Lola as I go.
I chickened out. No bathroom sex. But the good news is my skin suit hasn’t been stripped away and used to make lampshades—I’m still wearing it. Serial killer averted. In other good news, the plane didn’t go down in a blazing inferno. So, double yay.
She responds instantly like she’s been waiting.
Lola
So happy to hear you dodged death, not once, but twice. And all before lunchtime. I’d tell you to buy a lottery ticket because it’s your lucky day, but since you didn’t have sex on an airplane with a hot AF, younger man, it clearly is not. Boo.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m working up to the hard stuff.
Lola
You should always work up to the hard stuff. Foreplay is important.
I’m shaking my head, but I’m also smiling.
I gotta go. I need to call Hannah.
Lola
Share your location. I’m stalking your ass for the next 30 days.
I open myMapsapp and do as she asked.
The ground is wet from recent rain, and the early July air outside feels like the inside of a rice steamer, hot and moist.No, just no. I’ve lived in Colorado my entire life; humidity is a foreign phenomenon. I thought maybe it was mythical, like Bigfoot or Nessie. I immediately circle back through the sliding door into A/C to call Hannah.
She answers on the first ring and sounds a little harried. “Sophie?”
“Hi, Hannah. How are you? You sound stressed.” She’s usually so put-together. This current shift is concerning.
She sighs but then laughs and sounds more herself. “It’s already been a day. Our flight was delayed, and the RV we reserved for the trip isn’t available. They’ve upgraded us to a bigger model, which is fantastic, but it’s still being detailed. Sorry, this is all kicking off with a clusterfuck from the get-go. We should be on the road in about fifteen minutes, but it will take us about forty-five minutes to get there to pick you up. Are you okay waiting?”
I glance at the time on my phone and it’s almost noon. I know Hannah wanted to meet at the venue by one to check out the lighting and space. “Why don’t I grab an Uber and meet you at the venue? It will save everyone time.”
“If you’re sure? That would really help me salvage the morning and make up some time, and I’ll reimburse you the cost.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. See you soon.”
I order an Uber and immediately share my location with Hannah, because it’s in my contract to do so. This isn’t the first time I’ve wished I had Good Guy’s phone number so I could share it with him too. I’ve hesitated to ask a few times because that would eventually lead to phone calls. And hearing his voice would lead to wanting to know what he looks like, which would lead to Facetiming. And that can only be a slippery slope. I don’t know if I want to risk changing the dynamic and jeopardizing our friendship because it’s the one thing that’s solid and concrete and reliable in my life right now. I like him so much.
While I wait, I message him instead.
First plane ride was a success. Phew.
fifteen
