Her fingers stop hammering the keyboard and she looks at me. ‘Will Cooper?’
Ice runs through my veins and my fingers tighten on the case, as if it were a weapon. Slowly, I say, ‘Yes?’
‘We spoke on the phone,’ she says, the warmth in her voice now gone.
Monotone girl was Lydia the receptionist. ‘You wouldn’t refund me.’
‘No, I wouldn’t. And your room was double booked.’
We stare at one another, as a guest in a dry towel goes walking by.
‘Well, it looks as though we are at an impasse here, Lydia.’
Her nostrils flare like a dragon. ‘You’ve booked the premium balcony suite with the Acropolis view.’
‘No, I definitely haven’t, and I’m not paying any more money than I have to.’
‘No, you definitely booked something a bit more luxurious.’ Lydia types on her keyboard. Her eyes meet mine. ‘At the same price, of course.’
My mouth drops open.
A truce.
‘You’re still upgrading me?’
‘Maybe.’ Lydia’s eyes dart to make sure nobody else was around. ‘Yes.’
‘But why?’
Lydia hands me my key card, telling me where I can find my room with a view.
‘Because you wrote in your booking notes “my ex is marrying someone else and I deserve some happiness so I’m booking a hotel I can’t afford”, and I think that’s tragic,’ Lydia says. ‘Well,I assume you meant happiness, and not what is written here: ha penis.’
I flush red.
‘The reason I didn’t refund you was because I knew you’d come,’ she adds.
I excuse myself with haste.
Chapter Thirteen
SAM
Day One
I’m surprised at Will’s choice of hotel. The Laurel Hotel is popular with a certain kind of tourist, and I’m not sure that he’s one of them. But maybe he is. Maybe that shy exterior is discarded at places like The Laurel. Maybe that’s where he can shine, excel, be his true authentic self. Whatever it is, I don’t judge. It’s a reminder, though, of how much we’ve changed since we last saw each other.
I can’t believe Will is here. I’ve been looking for a chance to feel like I have a friend again. Now here’s an old one. It might only be for twenty-five days, but it’s something, at least.
He’s come for a wedding.
Maybe I’ll find out more about it tonight. My stomach flutters at the thought of seeing Will again later. I head to my bedroom, rooting through my clothes, deciding what I should wear. I haven’t felt the need to dress up in forever. Running a hand over my bare chest, I’m aware that I should wear a shirt tonight, even though the evening will no doubt be warm. What would he like?
I pick out a linen shirt, dark blue. I pause. Why am I considering Will’s taste? I guess I’m excited to have someone to talk to again. All the memories of our friendship from boyhood came rushing back. I’ve often thought about Will, wondering how he was getting on, but I never bothered to find him online. We were kids, I’ve told myself. He wouldn’t even remember me.
Well, turns out he does. Should have reached out after all.
I give up choosing an outfit– I’m not much of a planner– and instead take stock of my apartment. My Nintendo Switch is beneath my TV, and I think about inviting Will over to play Pokémon. Like old times. I open my phone, finding thePokémon Goapp. I bet Will plays. If he does, how I can add him? What level is he? This childish glee makes me rock on my feet, as I scroll through all the Pokémon I’ve caught on this game since it launched. Maybe Will’s not into it anymore, but I feel like he should be. If he’s not, I’ll remind him of what he’s missing.
