“And everything is set? They have the wristband underhisname?”
“Yes, madam,” she answered, appearing a little flustered by mycompanion.
Join the club, name-dropper.
Emma turned back to me. “Well, Finn, everything is all set, so I have to go. I hope you have a great time inthere.”
“You’regoingnow?”
Oh, man, even I could hear the pouty tone to my voice. Not cool. It wasn’t just that I’d be screwed if something went wrong with the ticket, but also I really, genuinely did not want her to go. My earlier plan of music, drinking, and women had come to a screeching halt the minute Emma pulled her car over and saved my life. Now, I just wanted to be at her beck and call the entireweekend.
“I thought maybe we could hang out inside. I was hoping to buy you a beer… or acorndog.”
She hesitated a moment, an expression on her face I couldn’t read. Every decision she made seemed calculated. This was not an impulsive woman, but judging by her actions today, she could be swayed – and that was what I was countingonnow.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I really can’t. I have people to meet at thehotel.”
Dammit. How could I work with that? She had plans, ones I’d derailed with my whole traveling pigpen act. I had a sinking feeling that I was just her philanthropy for the day, and she had no intention of devoting anymore of her time to my worthy cause. But unluckily for her, I’d never been one to giveupeasy.
“Maybe I can get your number so we can meet uplater.”
Emma scanned me again, her lips trapped under perfectly straight teeth. The hesitation she displayed was unmistakable, and it was becoming quite obvious that this woman wasn’t interested in finding out what name was on my driver’s license. As much as I was hoping for that second date, she clearlywasnot.
“You know what,” I said, trying to salvage what was left of this dying crush, “how about I giveyoumine?”
“Yeah, that’s better.” She nodded in relief and pulled out her phone. I gave her my number and reminded her of my name while I was at it. She seemed amused by that. “Yes, you aren’t easy toforget,Finn.”
“Don’t,then.”
Emma met my eyes, and there was a visible warming in hers. That was good, right? Or was it pity? She confused the hell outofme.
“Okay, well, it was great meeting you. Maybe I’ll see youinside.”
“Or… you know, you can call me.” I pointed to her phone. “That would be the quicker andeasierway.”
“Right,” she said, holding up her phone and smiling as shewalkedaway.
“Emma!” I called out. She turned around, that snowy hair fanning out around her, and suddenly, I had an overwhelming urge to beg for a little more of her time. I probably would have, too, had I thought it would make a difference.Just let her go. Plastering a smile on my face, I simply said, “Thankyou.”
She nodded, smiled, and just like that, my fantasy league first round female draft pick was gone. I stood there frozen in her wake as I watched her get into her car and drive away. What in god’s name had just happened? She was quite possibly the most fascinatingly attractive woman I’d ever met in my life, and now she was driving away with my number in her phone. She was a woman who carried the answers to all my questions… a woman who was never going to punch my number in her phone and call me. I was just a pity add. Emma was probably erasing my number as wespoke.
The ‘gentleman’escorting me was probably five years my junior. And he was no gentleman. I’d watched him eyeing Emma in a lecherous way, and I didn’t like itonebit.
“She’s hot,”hesaid.
“Yeah.”
We continued on in silence, surfer dude apparently having depleted his extensive word base. It was as if stringing those few words together had been so taxing on him that he had only the energy left to point me in the general vicinity. It wasn’t until I exited the office, a golden wristband affixed onto my arm, that my chaperone found hisvoice.
“Whoa, dude, I’ve never seen one of those upclose.”
“One of what? The wristband?” That was weird. He worked for the festival, and he’d never seen a wristband before? I shook off his odd comment and headed for the shuttle. The escort walked more quickly, staying bymyside.
“Who was that chick, anyway? The one who got you thatwristband?”
“I have no idea. I justmether.”
“No way did you justmeether.”
