Page 112 of Debugging Love

Unless I decided I wanted to touch him. Being so close would make it easier to do something I’d regret.

Maybe there’s a third option.

I grab the phone and dial the front desk. A chipper woman answers.

“Do you have any cots?” I ask.

“Oh. I’m afraid not. We’re booked solid and they’re all in use.”

“How about extra pillows?”

“I’m sorry, no.”

“Blankets?”

“I might be able to find one. If I do, I’ll send someone up.”

“Thanks.”

After I hang up the phone, someone knocks on the door. It’s got to be Morgan. Thank goodness. This solves everything.

An eager peek through the peephole dashes my hopes. It’s a hotel employee with an extra blanket. That was fast. Too fast. Like, weird fast.

Just in case, I attach the chain and open the door.

“You asked for an extra blanket?” the guy asks.

“Yeah. Thirty seconds ago.”

I make him stuff the blanket through the narrow opening and then shut the door. The fabric is thin, like a hospital blanket. Maybe Chance can fold it into thirds?

The shower turns off and my adrenaline spikes. I dive for the bed and climb under the covers like Chance is going to instantly prance out of the room naked and dripping

Being a proper gentleman, Chance takes his time drying off and putting on his clothing. He exits the bathroom in fleece pajama bottoms and a simple white T-shirt, looking clean, fresh, and touchable.

He looks at the TV weirdly. I realize I have it on CNBC. “Are you thinking of diversifying your portfolio?”

I play it cool. “I like to keep tabs on the penny stocks.”

“Really? Which ones?”

My mouth drops open. “Uh…Jiggly Jams. The Funky Noodles Company.”

“Those sound like up-and-comers.”

Chance pauses at the foot of the bed, reaches up and scratches the back of his neck. He eyes the floor by the window and then the strip of laminate in front of the TV.

“I had them bring up an extra blanket.” I motion to the sad little excuse for comfort at the foot of the bed.

“Oh yeah? I did too.” He grabs the flimsy fabric and shakes it out.

“I also asked for a cot, but they don’t have one.”

He gives me a humored glance. “I did too. They said they were all in use.”

“Yeah.” I sink back into my pillows. “Great minds think alike.”

“Yeah,” he says, sounding unconvinced. “Mind if I borrow a couple pillows?”

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