Page 12 of Double Booked

“We’ll have to get you on the water when you come down.”

He was so sure of seeing me in the future and his confidence settled something in me. I worried that the sparks and magic we felt on the island wasn’t real or that the magic of the island would fade once we got back to reality but the sparks between us were as strong as ever even if we weren’t in the same room. At least it seemed like it.

“Speaking of,” he continued, “I’m free the next few weekends if you want to come down or I can come up there. I’ve been looking at flights and there’s a direct flight if I drive up to the airport in Cincinnati.”

“I can definitely check my calendar,” I offered. “I’m not sure off the top of my head. My brain is fried from this chapter.”

That wasn’t totally false but it saved me from having to give him an answer right away as anxiety reared its ugly head. Thankfully, he didn’t question it and changed the subject. An hour later, he was yawning and I could feel my eyelids getting tired too. He definitely had it worse being an hour ahead of me so I set my wine glass aside and picked up the phone from where I had it propped against a book on the coffee table.

“Okay, time for bed for you,” I said teasingly into the phone.

Colton’s chuckle was interrupted by another big yawn and he rubbed his eyes. “Guess so. It’s another early day tomorrow but at least it’s Friday. Want to talk this weekend?”

“Absolutely. I’ll text you tomorrow?”

“Sounds good, good night, baby girl.”

“Good night,” I said softly, hitting the button and hanging up the call. Groaning, I fell back onto the couch, holding my phone to my chest. We had been on the phone for three hours and it felt like no time had passed at all. Now that his voice wasn’t filling the silence, my empty apartment loomed in front of me. I had a good life by all accounts. I had a job I loved that supported myself and allowed me to build up a nice nest egg in my savings. I had a best friend and an assistant all in one person. On paper, I had everything. I should feel fulfilled and happy yet in the quiet of my apartment, I just felt so… alone.

I picked up my phone again and checked my calendar. I didn’t have anything this weekend but I had an event at the local library on Tuesday. I bit my lip and opened the airline app on my phone. Nothing prevented me from flying out tomorrow if I felt like it and spending the weekend with Colton. I didn’t even have a cat tying me here. There was a direct flight from Minneapolis to Cincinnati leaving tomorrow at 11am. I typed in “Anderson Construction Kentucky” and found a company address in Oakville, Kentucky. Oakville was about a two hour drive from the airport so I would have to rent a car but… it was totally doable.

Should I do it? I could text Colton and ask but it might be fun to surprise him instead. He had said he wasn’t doing anything this weekend. I bit my lip and opened my text chain with Ryan.

So… I’m thinking of flying to kentucky tomorrow to surprise Colton for the weekend. Thoughts?

OMG DOOOO ITTTTTT

THAT’S SO SWEET I CAN’T STAND IT

Do you need me to book your flights?

Nevermind, I’m booking your flights. Flying into Cincinnati?

LOL I can book my own flights.

I don’t trust you not to chicken out so I booked you on one leaving Minneapolis tomorrow morning at 11. And the return one on Monday afternoon. You’ll need a rental car. Have you ever driven a truck? That’s what it feels like people drive in Kentucky.

I’m sure they drive other cars and I wouldn’t know what to do with a truck. A sedan if they have it or a small suv will be fine.

My email dinged with the flight and rental car information and I laughed. Ryan had been hounding me since I got back from the island about going to visit Colton and I had no doubt that his fingers were flying across his phone to get this all booked.

You’re all set. Deets sent to your email so get to packing!!!! But absolutely under no circumstances are you allowed to bring your granny panties.

Actually

I’m bringing you stuff tomorrow.

LINGERIE

YOU NEED LINGERIE TO SEDUCE YOUR MAN!!!!

I rolled my eyes as I typed back. I do in fact own lingerie. You gifted it to me last Christmas. I’ll bring that. And granny panties for the plane.”

But what if you want a farewell quickie in the airport parking lot????

I shook my head. Then he will have to do that with the granny panties but I am NOT flying in lace.

Fine Ryan sent that with a pouty face. But I better get ALL THE DEETS when you get back. And leave your laptop.

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