Page 116 of Playing Flirty

“His phone is dead, and he’s not at his apartment. I checked,” I admitted, releasing the makeshift blanket-cape to replace it with another. A cape I hadn’t used in ages.

I rushed off to my bedroom, and Neema followed.

“I can’t wait,” I said, rummaging through my closet, looking for the one thing he’d never be able to ignore me in. “I’m going to his office. Now.”

My mother clapped her hands together, and Neema shrieked.

“Let me fixthis.” Neema gestured to my outfit.

“Hold that look of disgust until you see what I have planned.” I threw more articles of clothing on the floor until I found my original hobbit costume, which was still my favorite after all these years. “If he needs even more time, he’s going to have to turn me away inthis.”

My mother squealed, and I shooed them out of my bedroom and changed, finding the costume much tighter than I remembered. Nevertheless, it was too late to back out now. Swinging open the door, I came face-to-face with Neema, my mother, and my father, who had started slow clapping.

“Oh, this is going to kill him.” Neema howled with laughter. “I didn’t think it would be this provocative.” She pulled me into her room and plugged in her curling iron.

Fifteen minutes later—a record short time for Neema—my curls were coily enough to challenge Frodo.

She stood back and wiped her brow. “My work here is done.”

I turned to my mom. “Any last words of advice or encouragement?”

“Rosie, you don’t need it. You got here all by yourself. Now go get him, tiger.”

Even after turning off Neema’s car, my heart hummed with nervous energy. I had googled the address for Thunderstruck’s offices and hoped there was only one in town. I opened the center console and retrieved my phone. I dialed William’s number but reached his voicemail.

It was for the better.

I needed to see him, and I needed him to see me. He could turn me away, but I needed him to know how I felt. How I’ve always felt.

I needed to see his face when he saw me in this costume.

It was my turn. My move.

But I still hadn’t figured out what I would say. Shrugging to myself, I decided I’d wing it and speak from the heart. How bad could it be?

Walking along the sidewalk in my hobbit socks, I reached the main door and rang the bell.

The last time I’d surprised a man in his office, it didn’t turn out too well for me, and this time I was wearing something far less appealing.

“Uh, hello?” A young man peeked at me through the glass doors.

“Hi, could you let me in? I’m here for the… uh… LAN.” I probably should have brought a laptop with me.

His eyebrows drew close as he scrutinized my costume.

I blew out a breath. “I’m a friend of William’s. William Ashdern?” I glanced down, reconsidering my outfit choice and location of confession.

“Follow me, Ms. Hobbit.” He grinned, clearly amused.

He led me to what I assumed was the cafeteria. Desks were spread around the room, and every surface was covered in laptops, desktop PCs, and cables. Movement to my left caught my eye, and I gazed upon one of the gamers’ livestreams projected against the wall.

“William!” the man called. “Can someone tell William there’s a sexy hobbit here to see him?”

My cheeks burned hot, and my heart raced in my chest.

A number of people looked up, gawking. A quiet hum of whispers spread through the room until those who hadn’t bothered looking up a moment before were soon eyeing me with the same stunned expression.

My insides were on fire. I thought I might be running a fever.