Page 17 of Girls Will Be Girls
He stands in front of me, watching with unashamed amusement as I freak out internally.
“Anything I can do to convince you?” He says through his grin.
I stutter, no words leaving my mouth. I’m starting to wonder what’s wrong with him that he wants to date someone as unhinged as I’ve come across in the last twelve hours.
“Can I have your number? No commitment to the date yet?” He tries.
I swing my arms wide. “I don’t know.” I can’t help the smile creeping up on my lips.
“How about I give youmynumber, and then the ball’s in your court entirely?” He offers.
I consider him for a second. His sparkling amber eyes, almost entirely a dark orange with only flecks of brown. The stubble that’s only grown longer and more wild as I’ve known him. That stupid fucking smile I want to wipe off his stupid fucking face by pressing my lips against it.
“Okay.” I concede. “I can do that. No commitment. I have the ball.” I confirm.
His smile widens. “All you.”
I hand over my phone to him and want to roll my eyes at how pleased he looks.
He places it back in my hand. “Hope I hear from you.” He grins one more time. “Bye, Louisa.”
“Bye, Lou,” I say.
As he walks off, I look down at his contact.
Lou (fiancé)
If anything, his grin is definitely infectious.
4
SWEAT STAINS WERE NOT ON MY SUMMER VISION BOARD
“What do you mean a three-hour wait?”
My no longer fresh t-shirt suddenly feels suffocating, clinging to my damp, sweaty skin, and these legging shorts aren’t providing nearly enough ventilation. Would it be rude to lift my shirt, show off my sweat-trickling stomach, and use the fabric to fan myself?
“I’m sorry, really.” The young receptionist gives me a pitying look. “It’s just Thursday policy. We only work a half day before the weekend because Village Bay, and the whole of Lake Tahoe, gets really busy, so rooms aren’t ready until the evening. ” She pushes her red hair off her — no doubt sweaty — forehead. “It would’ve been in the booking.” She offers. “They put it up in big letters.”
“Okay.” I rub my forehead, easing the headache that’s forming. “My company books my travel, so they must not have checked. It’s fine.” I assure her. “It’s my bad. Thanks so much. I’m sorry if I was rude, it’s just so hot here.” I fan myself.
“Yeah.” She laughs, making me think I haven’t seen the worst of it yet. “Sorry, again.” She smiles back at me.
I wave her off. “All good. I’m sorry.” I look out the window, trying to come up with something to do in the meantime. I havezero energy for anything that involves more than a fraction of movement. “Is there a bar nearby?” I ask.
“Yeah, two doors down.” She points.
“Is it any good?”Like I care at this point.
“I’ve never been, actually.”
I look at her quizzically.
“I’m only twenty.” She admits. “Twenty-one next week.” She does a little shoulder shimmy, and I instantly fall in love with this angel.
“Happy almost birthday!” I say. “I’m Louisa, by the way.”
“Thanks! I’m Casey.” She smiles.
