Page 77 of More Than Falling in Love

“Is she here?”

“No, but I can tell you where she is.I just spoke to her.”She waves her hands.“Oh, this is perfect.I told her I’d pick up dinner and meet her at her hotel.But you’ll surprise her.Follow me.”

Tandy is waiting in the lobby, so I shoot her a text.

Me:Coworker is telling me where I can find Poppy.

Tandy responds with a thumbs-up.

I’m replaying conversations in my brain, trying to remember this woman’s name.She’s married to the guy who touched Poppy’s shoulder.

“Here.”She hands me a slip of paper.“Go to this restaurant.Order this, then go to this hotel.This is her room number.”

“I can’t thank you enough.”The name comes to me right when I need it.“It’s Sarah, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and it’s nice to meet you in person, Kent.”She pulls me in for a hug.“Be nice to Poppy.She’s my best friend.”

Now is not the time to argue about who is actually Poppy’s best friend, and given my recent behavior, I might not win the argument.But I can promise to be nice, though that is no longer on the list of words I like.“I will.”

I text Tandy as I walk to the elevator.By the time I’m downstairs, she’ll know where we need to go.And as soon as the elevator doors open, she’s headed outside.I stay right on her heels.We take a subway to the restaurant, order food, and then wait.I ordered two of whatever it is Poppy gets because I’ll be hungry, and after all this running around, I’ll eat just about anything.

“Tandy, why are you doing all this?”

“For love, darling.I live vicariously through others.This makes me happy.”

I pull a few bills out of my wallet.“Dinner is on me tonight.”

She gives me an eye roll.“I’m not taking your money, and please put it away.”

I stuff the wallet back into my pocket.“Is there anything I can do to repay you?”

After a sigh, she shakes her head.“I already told you.Love.If you love her, tell her.”

Nodding, I don’t make any promises.It’s possible that will spill when I pour out my heart, but my thoughts are scattered right now.Who knows what will come spewing from my mouth?

When the food is ready, we set out again, but this time, we don’t need to ride the subway.

After we hoof it seven blocks, Tandy stops.“That’s the place.But you’ll have to be creative because you need a key card to get to her floor.I stayed here once.”

“I’ll think of something.”This is when I wish I were average size and didn’t stand out quite so much.

Thinking, I take a few paces down the sidewalk.I need a plan once I walk into the lobby.Hanging around will only make me look suspicious.

As a couple walks through the double doors, Tandy grabs my arm.“I’m so glad you were able to get a room on the sixty-first floor.In my opinion that is the best view, no matter what side of the building you’re on.”Her voice is loud, and her grip on my arm might leave a bruise.“Let’s sit.My feet are tired.But my friend should be here soon.”

Her friend?I’m playing along, but I have no idea what she’s up to.We drop into chairs in the lobby, and when the couple wanting a room asks for something on the sixty-first floor, I’m impressed with Tandy.Her powers of persuasion are scary.

After a lot of typing, the desk clerk hands cards to a couple.“Sixty-first floor.Elevators are just that way.And you’ll need to scan your card to get to that floor.”

“Thanks.”The man takes a minute to tuck away his wallet.

Tandy stands and opens her arms.“I see my friend.Give your aunty a hug.”

I do as asked and whisper, “Thanks.”

As the couple drags their bags toward the elevator, I fall in step behind them.

With my coat draped over my arm, my hat and bag in one hand and the food in my other, I have a good excuse for not being able to grab my key card.

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