Page 89 of Total Ship Show

Dove shakes her head. “But knowing my best friend, the moment she finds out you’re not in town, a slight depression will kick in and she’ll lock herself away in a hotel room for the night and come back tomorrow so technically…”

“I would have plenty of time to fly back and find her today!”

She winks. “Exactly.”

I hand the huge bouquet of flowers to Dove and kiss the top of her head. “Thank you so much, Dove.” I shake Joaquin’s hand. “You guys have been a tremendous help. Thank you again! I have to go.”

“Hope you find your beaver, Aris.”

Almost out the front door, I turn back when I hear Joaquin’s beaver reference. “Me too!

“Buh-bye, Dildo guy!” Dove shouts and waves her hand. “Pleasure to meet you!”

Running out of the building, I grab the very next Uber I can find and slide into the car.

“Devin, right?”

The driver nods. “Yes, sir. Headed to the airport?”

“Yes please. As fast as you can.”

“No problem. Any specific airline you need?”

“Nope. Just need to get there.”

* * *

Fucking Delayed.

Damn Seattle weather.

Why do I have this sinking feeling I’m not going to make it to Seattle before Adrienne gets back here? I know I could do the easy thing. I could text her and tell her to stay where she is. I could tell her I’m in L.A. looking for her. I just really wanted this to be a surprise.

Maybe it still can be.

A two-hour delay here still puts me back in town around two in the afternoon. If I can make it back to Seattle, I could find her. Even if it means texting her and asking her where she is. I could take her on a date. Show her around town! Get her to stay a few days.

Hell, I would be alright taking her to bed and staying there for a goddamn week if she lets me.

I just have to get to her.

Finally hearing my flight getting ready to board, I hit the restroom one last time and then grab my backpack and head to the gate.

“Excuse me! Sorry. Excuse me. Coming through. Excuse me, please.”

Her voice.

I hear it in the crowd ahead and freeze as others grumble and walk around me heading to their destinations.

“Excuse me, I’m so sorry. I just have to…”

And there she is.

My beaver.

In the flesh.

She spots me and freezes. The two of us staring at each other from a distance, too shocked to speak.

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