Page 23 of Sky Full of Stars

Me: Definitely. I miss the gym but managed to find one here, just beat the shit out the bag for two hours

Adam: That’s great, Slugger. Date tonight?

Me: I told you, I’m not dating Kevin

Adam: I mean with me

Adam: You there?

Me: How can we have a date tonight?

Adam: I’m in Florida so it’s gonna have to be virtual

Me: How do you propose to do that, Adam?

Adam: Get room service, 8pm. You like steak? Red wine?

Me: Are you serious?

Adam: I’m game if you are

Me: Okay I can do that

Adam: Good. I’ll text you at 8, Jenna

I shouldn’t be feeling this excited. But I get up and head back to the hotel, take a long shower, shave and cover myself in body lotion.

“Idiot,” I tell myself. He’s not going to be in the same room. And it’s only four PM. Four hours. I decide to catch up on work emails but that barely passes an hour. I pace, I read, I speak to my mom, then it’s time to order my meal.

Chapter Eight

Adam: You got your dinner?

Me: Just delivered, pouring some vino

Adam: Excellent, how’s the steak

Me: Medium rare, just as I like it. It tastes really good

Adam: Yeah?

Me: Of all the things we’ve done over the last few months, this is definitely the strangest. I’m sat alone in a hotel room, all dressed up and eating steak

Adam: You got dressed up for me?

Me: It’s a date right

Adam: Show me

Me: No, it’s embarrassing. I’m wearing this dress to an event tomorrow so thought I’d try it on, that’s all

Adam: It’s not embarrassing, you’re being practical trying it on, plus it’s showing dedication to the date with me

Me: Do you want a picture?

Adam: That’ll work

God why did I tell him I was dressed up? I put this dress on to see how it looked on me, then decided to leave it on. Biting my lip I get up from the table and try to take a picture that I’m happy with. I did feel a little stupid wearing the dress I intend to wear to the benefit ceremony tomorrow evening but I wasn’t expecting him to ask to see it. I take about five pictures before I’m finally happy with one and send it. It’s a slinky green sequined dress, the tone getting darker as it goes to the bottom by my feet. The spaghetti straps have a dipped neckline showing a hint of cleavage. I cut my head off because my hair isn’t done and I’m not wearing make-up.

---