Page 22 of Flirtasaurus
And then he walks away.
Why do I feel so sad watching him walk away?
And why are Bruce, Damon, and Lionel staring at me like that?
“Problem?” I fire at them, but it doesn’t have the heft I’d like it to have.
Lionel, bless his heart, just gives me a knowing smile, and simply says, “Team meeting in the exhibition hall in five.”
“In five. Yes. Thank you, Lionel.”
Lionel and the rest of my team file out, Bruce and Damon not so successfully hiding their smirks.
I’m left there, standing alone and confused in an empty planetarium, feeling more like that worthless speck of human goo than I did when I arrived.
There is one thing I know for sure, though.
There is no way I can fall for a guy with a name like Ralph.
Chapter Six
A few minutes later, I am mid-text conversation with Sasha while waiting outside the locked exhibition hall.
SASHA:That’s incredibly snobby, Lopey.
ME:Don’t call me Lopey.
SASHA:Apologies, frnd.
ME:And I’m not being snobby, I’m being realistic. Can you imagine being in the throes of passion and calling out the name Ralph? “Oh, Ralph! Give it to me, Ralph!”
SASHA:1st, when was the last time you were in the throes of passion? 2nd, that’s not rlly the way you drty talk, is it? If so, you need to scratch “Give it to me!” frm ur sexvernacular rght away & 3rd, how the hell is the name Alf superior 2 Ralph?
ME:It just is.
SASHA:Ur a lunatic sometimes.
ME:Aren’t we all? Gotta go. Call you later.
“Are we interrupting your social hour, Miss FitzGerald?” Dr. Knowles’ smooth voice hits me before I am able to fully pocket my phone.
“Not at all, Dr. Knowles! Hi! I mean, hello! I mean, how was your morning? I’m so excited to see the progress on the exhibit!”
I’m babbling. And shouting apparently. Damn, this lady gets me all tied up in knots.
“Excellent. Shall we then?”
“We shall.”
I scurry beside her as she swipes her badge to give us access to the brand-new exhibition hall that was renovated specifically for our project. Lionel, Damon, and Bruce file in behind us.
“You should all find a moment to head to the security desk before you leave today. Tell Jerry you are part of the Trix and Monty Project, and he can give your badges access to the exhibit hall moving forward.”
“Wonderful, thanks. I’ll definitely do that. I was wondering, Dr. Knowles, when might be a good time for us to discuss your dig in South Dakota this summer?”
Our sensible heels click and clack side by side as we rapidly approach a big curtained-off area.
Oh my gosh, are Trix and Monty behind that curtain? Am I going to see them live and in person for the first time? Well, not live of course—bless their souls—but in person? I could cry in anticipation.
