Page 88 of Confessions of a Carpool Captive
It’s been thirty minutes and I’ve only managed to cover the conference rooms and the gift shop. There’s no way I’ll make it to every floor by the time I have to leave. I sigh and run the back of my hand across my forehead. I’m sweating my ass off.
I make my way back to the lobby and glance at the map. If I head left, I can hit the workout center, spa, and pool. If I hurry, I might even be able to get to the two restaurants on the second floor.
“Liz!”
I turn my head from left to right, swearing I heard my name.
“Over here.”
I spin around as Emerson, Kel, and Finn walk in through the front carousel door. They’re a sight for sore eyes and they’re covered in snow.
“Did you find him?” Kel asks.
“No. What are you doing here? Did you miss your flight?” I ask.
“We weren’t leaving until we made sure he was okay,” Finn says. He’s a bit out of breath.
“We rebooked ourselves on the three o’clock,” Emerson says as she hugs me.
I nod. “That’s my flight.” I make direct eye contact with Finn and he looks through me. I have to turn away first. He’s still so confident and self-assured. I’ll never be like him.
Clearing my throat and regaining my composure, I hold up the map. “If we split up, we’ll be able to cover more ground. Give your bags to the desk clerk and he’ll hold them.”
They do as I suggest and Finn grabs an extra map. “It’s the last one he had. I think we’d better stay in pairs. We don’t need to lose someone else.”
“Right!” Emerson says. She yanks the map from my fingers and pulls Kel by the arm. She walks backward as she yells, “We’ll check the restaurants, you two take the spa and workout center. We’ll meet by the pool!”
“Em, come on…” Finn yells after her, but they’re on the elevator before we know it.
He turns and shrugs. “Shall we?”
I nod my head. He places his hand on the small of my back and I feel a chill. He quickly removes it when he sees me jump.
“I’m sorry. Old habits die hard.”
“I don’t mind. I just wasn’t expecting you to ever touch me again.”
“I shouldn’t have. I apologize.”
“Finn, I—”
“I think we should focus on finding Ernesto, don’t you?”
We hurry our way through the workout center and then hit the spa. Ernesto is nowhere to be found.
As we approach the indoor pool, we see Emerson and Kel coming from the opposite direction.
“Anything?” Finn asks.
“Nope. No one has seen him.”
“Maybe he got an earlier flight,” Emerson suggests. She seems uncomfortable and irritable. I guess we’re all a little on edge because we’re so worried, so I brush it off.
“Did you see him at the airport Friday?” Kel shakes his head as he continues, “He had no idea what he was doing. If it weren’t for us, I don’t think he would have made it this far. He really is inept.”
“Inept? That’s a big word for a big boy. It’s like I’m watching you grow up in front of my eyes,” Emerson says with a giggle as she pets his arm.
“Shut it. I’m smarter than you think I am.”
