I cleared thoughts of Daisy and focused on the gorgeous redhead in front of me. This could be my chance to move on from Daisy. “I am all alone this weekend,” I responded with a sultriness in my voice I didn’t know I possessed.
“Well, if you need someone to show you around or keep you company, here’s my number.”
She handed me a card with her name and number on it and let her hand linger as I took it. I didn’t know if I’d be calling her, but it was nice to have the option.
I smiled and walked away without another word, leaving a little bit of mystery as I left. I decided to pick up an early dinner and head back to my hotel. Tomorrow I’d take a little drive to see a neighboring town, explore a little, and see if I could forget about Daisy for a few hours.
I woke up the next morning to a text alert. I groaned, checking the time. The sun had barely risen, so I knew exactly who it was before I unlocked my phone. There was only one person who was up this early on a weekend:
My sunny girl: Good morning, doodle. I know you’re taking a weekend to yourself. I just couldn’t sleep well last night and I waited until an appropriate time to text you. I’m sorry if I woke you. I just wanted to check in and make sure you made it okay and you’re still breathing. Duke and I miss you and hope you have a great time wherever you are. Are you still in Seattle? Are you still in Washington? Are you still in the country?! I’m sorry I’m rambling, just kind of freaking out. I’ll leave you alone now! Xoxo
I smiled softly. I loved that she missed me but hated that she was worried. I told myself I had to text her back so she could relax. But first, I had to change her name in my phone. I couldn’t move on if I was calling her “my girl.”
Me: Morning, sunny. I’m alive and breathing. I'm still in America, sadly. I’ve just gone a few hours outside of Seattle, so I’m still in the state. I miss you guys, too. I’ll be home in a few days.
A reply came back almost immediately.
Daisy: Good! I’ll leave you be. Dre said to only text in an emergency, but I had to check in. I won’t talk to you ever again. Until Sunday! I’ll have snickerdoodle’s ready for you when you return. Miss you! Xoxo
I hearted the message and put my phone face down on the nightstand. I didn’t want to be bothered anymore and now I was in a bad mood.
That was exactly why I needed this trip. The whole point was to get away from her and get her out of my head. I wanted to have a few days to myself without contact with her, to figure out my next steps.
I was still looking for a house, but in the meantime, I had to stop being in love with my best friend. I wasn’t sure which was more difficult.
I put the pillow over my face and screamed into it. Why did I respond? Why didn’t I have Drea or Fallon tell her I was okay? Why did I let myself fall in love with her in the first place? If I would’ve shut down those feelings when they started, I wouldn’t have been in this mess to begin with.
I needed to push my feelings aside and start dating. I picked up my phone and the card next to it, dialing the number on it with shaky fingers. I smiled when she picked up after a few rings.
“Hello?”
“Hi,” I said nervously. “This is Kaia. We met yesterday on the sidewalk? You said to give you a call if I needed someone to show me around? Anyway, I was just wondering… is that offer still good?”
The smile in her voice was unmistakable. “Kaia, yes, hello. I’m so glad you decided to call. I was wondering if you were going to. The offer is definitely still good. What do you have in mind?”
I shrugged. I had no clue, but I knew it had to be something that could distract me. “You tell me. I’m just a tourist. I’ll be honest, though. I’ve never done this before. Gone out with someone I met on the street. But I need a fresh start. I need a distraction.”
“Oh, I can absolutely work with that. But to be clear, by distraction, you mean?—”
“Sex. Yes. I want… I need… I mean, if that’s okay? Like I said, I have no clue what I’m doing. I’ve got stuff going on at home, and I just need?—”
“A distraction. I’ve gathered. I’ll be honest, I was hoping whatever we did would end with that. How about drinks, and then if you’re still interested, we can go back to my place or yours?”
“Maybe just drinks here? I’m staying at the Hilton off Montgomery Street.Room 432. Just to let you know, I carry Mace and a taser wherever I go.”
She laughed. “As you should. That sounds perfect. When are you free?”
I thought about it for a second. “Tonight?”
“I’ll be there around seven. See you tonight, Kaia.”
She ended the call, and I wanted to throw up. Who was I? Trying to have a one-night stand in a hotel? This was so not like me.
Against my better judgment, I called the one person who could give me advice.
“You’re supposed to be off the grid! Why are you calling me? Are you okay? What happened?”
“Drea, calm down. I’m fine. Nothing happened… yet.”
