Page 36 of Ticket to You

“There hasto be some other option,” I say to the front desk clerk, pressing my fingers against the countertop.

She purses her lips. I’ve been begging for her help to find a solution to our awkward bed problem for over ten minutes, and her patience is waning. “My apologies, sir, but there are no other rooms available tonight.”

“Surely you have a cot or something, then.”

“I told you, they’ve all been claimed.”

“Just help me out here,” I beg.

The clerk stares at me, her eyes distant and glassy.

“Fine.” I bite down on my teeth. “Is there a hotel close by in town?”

“Of course—”

“Great!” I let out a relieved laugh. “What’s it called?”

“You didn’t let me finish. There is a hotel near the base of the mountain, but our cable car doesn’t run past eight.”

I bite down on my teeth, my mind reeling. But it’s no use. “Thanks for your help,” I grumble and sulk away.

Without much thought, I call Eloise’s number. She answers on the second ring.

“Hey, about time you got back to me!” Eloise practically shouts. “Tell meeverything.”

Just hearing her voice makes my breaths slow. “It’s a bit hectic trying to get these stories done in such a short amount of time. I only have a little over a week until I’m leavingOutdoorsy, and—”

“I’m sorry, Adam,” Eloise interrupts. “I do want to hear aboutthatpart of the trip…eventually. But right now I’m desperate to hear how things are going with Ophelia Brooks.”

Eloise is my best friend, and I share everything with her. But if I admit to her how I feel about Ophelia, that means I’ll have to admit my feelings to myself first. And with a major life change already on its way, the last thing I need is a relationship to complicate that—not that Ophelia would even be interested in one.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I say finally.

Eloise giggles. “I did my research. She’s amazing.”

“What kind of research?”

“Haven’t you read her work? Her articles are special.”

“I haven’t had the chance.”

“Well, you need to. Ophelia is not only beautiful, she seems kind and intelligent, too.”

I pause for a beat before responding. “She is.”

Those two words send Eloise into a spiral of giddy excitement. I perch myself on the edge of one of the lobby’s sofas, knowing this will take a while. But after five solid minutes of her insisting I should “just go for it,” I interject.

“You’re forgetting that Ophelia has made it clear she’s not going to be the president of my fan club anytime soon.”

“Have you tried, I don’t know, not being a jerk to her?”

“Am I thatbad?” I ask, sinking down into the couch. I wish it would swallow me up.

“That was too harsh,” Eloise says, laughing again. “But your perceptiveness can sometimes come across as broody. And while you’re charismatic when you’re interviewing, sometimes in your personal interactions it seems like you get a little…overwhelmed.”

“Probably because I do.”

“I know, I know. But next time you talk to Ophelia, try to act as you do in interviews. Relax,smile, and show her how observant and kind you are deep down. And, while you’re at it, apologize for what you said at the party. Just…stop overthinking every little thing.”

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