Page 33 of The Disasters of Dating (Love Connections #6)

KEATON

It will be worth your time to follow the advice given to you.

Learn Chinese: 派对 — Pàiduì — Party

I shoulder my backpack and walk—or rather sulk—to the car rental location. My flight arrived late, and Poppy must have been on her dinner break because that Kendra girl was the one in the shop.

I pull up the app and look out over the fleet of cars.

I’d rented this time instead of Ubering because I’m planning on hanging out with Poppy on at least Monday and Tuesday night.

Maybe having a car will put me on the non-tourist side of the list?

Maybe if I actually pick her up for our date—yes, I’m calling it that—then she will see me as dateable.

I find the closest car and scan the QR code into the app. It gives me the green checkmark, which I think means I’m good to go. If not, I suppose I’ll be arrested for car theft. Hmmm. Maybe Poppy had been on to something errant in my personality.

I slowly pull out of the stall, waiting for security or at least a car rental guy to come running through the parking lot with arms waving. But no one does. Possibly because it’s after eight. It’s not dark yet, but the sky is just starting to pink in the west.

Before I pull out of the parking structure and into the traffic, I roll my shoulders and take a deep breath. I’ll text Poppy, and we can confirm our date for tomorrow night. I’d have preferred to do it face to face, but the airline had other plans.

I grab my phone and pull up her contact. A horn honks behind me, so I quickly push the microphone button and start talking as I pull out into traffic.

Hey, you must be at dinner. Text me when you are done with work or have a second to chat.

I press send and give my full focus to finding my way out of the airport and onto the interstate.

I press my phone up to the lock on my hotel room door and nothing happens.

Ugh, I don’t know why I keep doing the digital key thing.

It seems to only work like fifty percent of the time—just enough to get your hopes up.

Why does this have to be one of the other fifty percent? I’m so not in the mood.

Apparently, I have paid little to no attention while being shuttled back and forth in the Ubers because nothing looked familiar on my way down to Lehi.

I almost missed the exit because I was too busy trying to spot something…

anything that looked familiar. But now I’m here and ready to crash, which will have to wait until I get an actual key card.

I shrug up my backpack and grab hold of my suitcase handle, dragging it down the hall behind me. Slamming a hand against the elevator button, I wait in a huff for it to reach my floor.

I roll my shoulders, but it does little to relieve my irritation. Getting an apartment is looking better and better. Maybe that’s what I should do on my lunch breaks.

The doors finally open and I step in, pushing the button for the lobby level. As the door closes, I lean against the side wall and close my eyes. But it isn’t long before the elevator dings and opens into the lobby.

The guy at the front desk smiles as I approach. “Good evening, sir. Are you checking in tonight? Do you have the app? There is the option of a mobile key in the app. You might want to consider it if you will be staying with us for a while.”

I just stare at him as he babbles on. My mouth must have pulled into a frown because he stops talking and his brow creases .

“I have the app. My mobile key isn’t working.”

His perky smile drops slightly. “I’m so sorry about that, sir.” He types on the computer. “What is your room number?”

“614.”

He nods and continues typing, and I have to wonder if it’s a way for him to stall and avoid talking to me. “Last name?”

“Barrington.”

My watch vibrates, and I look down to see Poppy’s name.

I suck in a breath, my lips turning up. Finally, something good is happening.

Poppy

How did you know I was at dinner? How did you even know I was at work? Are you psychic???

Why would she wonder that? She knew I was flying in tonight.

I pull out my phone and slap a hand to my head.

Dang it. In all my frustration, I pulled out the wrong phone and texted her as Lincoln.

I’m both irritated and happy. Irritated that I must pretend to be the other guy.

But also happy that I get to text her at all.

Some might say psycho…

Poppy

Hahaha. I thought you were trying to come across as less creepy.

Sorry, it’s been a long day. But if you are at work (I was guessing…aren’t you always at work???), you probably know how I feel.

HEY, WEREN’T WE SUPPOSED TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS THIS TIME?

Poppy

YOU’RE RIGHT. I AM AT WORK. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE I’M ALWAYS AT WORK. Sorry, can’t do it. It takes too much work. What are you up to? Why such a long day?

The guy behind the counter looks up. “How many keys would you like, sir?”

“Two, please.”

He nods and sends one card and then the other through the little machine that codes them. He tucks the cards into a sleeve and scribbles my room number on the front. “There you are, sir. We have you checking out on Thursday night. Is that correct?”

I nod and feel myself frown at the thought that I will also miss seeing Poppy on my way out of town. This week is not shaping up well.

“Is there anything else I can help you with this evening?”

I flick up a smile. “Nope. This was it.” I hold up the cards. “Thanks for your help.”

I head back to the bank of elevators and push the up button. While I wait, I text Poppy back.

QUITTER…

It’s just been one of those days where things didn’t go according to plan.

Poppy

I had one of those a few weeks ago. It was the worst. Although I can’t remove all the blame from myself because my horoscope told me I’d be thrown for a loop.

Oh? It sounds like there’s a story there…

Poppy

Which I’m sure you don’t want to hear.

The elevator dings and opens. I step inside and hit the button for the sixth floor.

Actually, knowing that someone else has had worse days than mine might makes me feel better.

Poppy

Do you take pleasure in others’ misfortunes?

No, but sometimes it feels like my life is the only one that is out of whack.

Poppy

Rest assured, it’s not.

So what does a predicted bad day look like for you?

Poppy

You really want to hear this?

The elevator dings again and I step out, pulling my suitcase along next to me. I move faster than I did on the way down, wanting to get inside my room where I can kick off my shoes and lie back on the bed while I text with Poppy.

I push the card to the reader on the door. It beeps and the light turns green. I release a breath and push open the door.

I wish I could say it feels like home, but it doesn’t. It feels like a hotel. But just texting with Poppy makes it seem not quite so lonely.

I push my suitcase to the end of the couch and drop my backpack onto the chair at the desk. Kicking off my shoes, I flip back the comforter and pile up three pillows before I settle onto the bed.

Would I say I wanted to hear about it if I didn’t?

Poppy

You took a while to answer. Are you sure you aren’t saying what you think I want to hear? Or read?

I promise. I was coming in from the car. But now I’m settled and ready to read. Lay it on me.

Poppy

Fine. It all started when an old lady tried to access the employee parking. She backed up the entrance seven cars deep. She was sweet but super confused.

I lay there as the room darkens, smiling as I read Poppy describe a truly horrible day at work.

She’s careful to keep any real descriptions of the airport out of the story.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think she worked in a mall.

But as I’m reading, I realize that if I don’t text her from my other phone, she may think my flight didn’t come in.

Or that I didn’t come and see her. After our disagreement yesterday, maybe she’ll think I’m blowing her off.

And then maybe she’ll make other plans for Monday and Tuesday night?

I can’t stand the thought that I might miss seeing her for this whole trip. It makes me feel panicky.

While she’s texting, I dig out my other phone and pull up her contact. I can’t decide if putting both my SIM cards into one phone will make this process harder or easier. Which is why I’m still using two phones.

Hey, Poppy. I’m back in town. I stopped by the shop, but you must have been at dinner because the other lady was there. I didn’t want you to think that I’d cancelled my trip for this week. Just want to make sure we’re still on for ice cream tomorrow.

Man, I sound a little desperate. But I kind of am. Is it bad if she knows how much I want to see her? I’m not sure if that will help or hinder my plight in moving out of the tourist/friend category.

I lift Lincoln’s phone and read what she wrote to Lincoln.

I sit up as I’m reading. And then read it again.

Oh, man. The terrible day she is telling me about is the same day that we went to dinner at the airport.

I already felt bad about my part in it, but knowing how her day had started, I feel even worse.

No wonder she was so sharp with me over the alleged shoplifted gum.

Add in that she had already had a run-in with security for doing a good deed and then got to deal with them again after the shoplifting incident? Yeah. Her day had stunk. Royally.

Okay, you totally win. Your day was so much worse than mine!! A black eye? Really? The guy kind of sounds like a jerk.

I push the phone away from me with a grimace, like I’ve done something terrible. Which I kind of have. I’m fishing to find out what she thinks about me. The real Keaton me, not the texting Lincoln me.

I look over at my other phone. Keaton’s phone. (This is terribly confusing. It’s no wonder I can’t keep my texts straight.) She still hasn’t answered my text. Does that mean she would rather talk to Lincoln than me?

Poppy

No, he wasn’t a jerk. He felt bad about the whole thing. He even paid for the dinner that was supposed to be my apology.

It seems like the least he could do. He should have replaced your clothes.

I can’t seem to stop myself. Maybe because she still hasn’t answered Keaton. I shake my head at the predicament I’ve gotten myself into. It’s feeling less wise by the moment.

Poppy

He offered. But I already had an extra set of clothes with me. So be nice about him. He’s a good guy.

My shoulders relax. She didn’t declare any undying love or anything. But she didn’t throw me under the bus either. So maybe there is still hope.

Keaton’s phone buzzes, and I grab for it.

Poppy

I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you! Flight came in late?

Yes! So aggravating!

Poppy

Your lot in life is so hard.

It really is. Thanks for noticing.

Poppy

Do you think you can crawl out of your pit of despair long enough to meet for ice cream?

I suppose…

I actually rented a car this time. Can I pick you up?

It feels like a bold ask. Although I’m not sure why. It doesn’t seem like such a foreign concept for a guy to pick a girl up for a date. Unless she still isn’t considering this a date…

I switch back to my other phone. I need to terminate one of these conversations before I say the wrong thing in the wrong thread.

I suppose I should let you get back to work. Sorry you had such a bad day. I wish we had been friends then, so you could have had someone to talk it out with. At least I’m here now! Have a great night!

I don’t want to dissuade her from telling me anything about myself in the future.

Poppy

Thanks, Lincoln. I’m glad we’re friends, too. I hope your night improves!

Why am I slightly disappointed that she just relegated Lincoln to the friend zone? Wasn’t I jealous of him only a few days ago? I shake my head. Oh. My. Heck! Do I need psychiatric help? Surely no one else is jealous of their own alter-ego. Although do many people actually have alter-egos?

I take Lincoln’s phone over and put it on the charger so I don’t pick it up and text inadvertently.

Lying back on the bed, I pick up Keaton’s phone.

Poppy

Sure. But if it’s too much trouble, we can meet there.

Does she want to meet there? Is she still not sure about me? Ugh! This is nothing like riding a bike!

If you’re not comfortable with that, we can meet there. I’m fine with whatever.

Poppy

Me, too.

How about I text you tomorrow afternoon, and we’ll see how both our days end up. We can make a plan then?

Poppy

That sounds great.

I can almost hear her sigh with relief.

Maybe I’m moving things too fast for her.

After all, we’ve only known each other for a couple of weeks.

I knead my brow with my fingers. Has it only been two weeks?

Man, I feel like I’ve known her for months.

Can my feelings for her be so strong after such a short time?

I think back to the feeling I had when I thought I might not see her this week.

Apparently my feelings don’t give a hoot about time.

Because they seem to get stronger every day.