Page 61 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 15

ZACHARY

Me: You look good in that t-shirt. I’m feeling okay. Just bored. I might go home tonight instead of tomorrow morning. What are you doing?

The truth was that I’d spent a solid half hour trying to find a way to get from Vegas to Palm Springs that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Apparently this Modernism Week event was very, very popular, and I couldn’t get there for less than a month’s rent. And I lived in Austin, so rent was super pricey.

I’d have to wait to see Ford in person when he got back home on Sunday.

Dammit.

Ford: Bus tour. Turns out Brennan from yesterday’s bike tour is also a bus tour guide.

Ford: [photo]

He was on the top level of a double-decker bus. A reddish-haired guy wearing a headset was at the front with his arm stretched out toward something to the side. Behind him I could see trees and a huge white house with a flat roof.

Why was he sending me a picture of that Brennan guy? Ford had said he wasn’t interested in him, but.... Fuck.

Ford: I’m sorry you’re not having a good time in Vegas.

Ford: Um, this might be a little pushy, but I was thinking, what if I cut my trip short too?

I gasped, clutching the phone harder as if I was afraid to drop it.

Me: For real? You want to meet me in Austin tomorrow?

It took him a moment to reply.

Ford: There’s an early morning flight, so with the time change I’ll land at noon. Except, could we meet at my place in Bent Oak? I’d feel too guilty if I didn’t check on my pets.

Fuck, I’d been willing to meet him in Palm Springs. Bent Oak was much better.

Me: I can’t wait. Text me when you land.

Holy shit! I was definitely changing my flight to leave tonight.

I started humming a Jimmy Buffett song I’d found on YouTube. “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” indeed.