Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Tom
“ P sst…Tom. Psst, over here.”
Either that potted plant is talking to me, or I’m about to be ambushed by my favourite geriatrics.
“Who is it?” I stage whisper to the oversized fern.
Gloria springs out from behind the plant, practically vibrating with excitement, followed reluctantly by Dee. “Well, don’t keep us waitin’. Did it work?”
“Did what work? Your blatant attempt at matchmaking?”
“Yes,” Gloria says impatiently.
“Well, Paisley and I are going to spend the day together. So, I guess your scheming paid off.”
“I knew it would!” Gloria shrieks. “Where are you going to take her?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’m hoping to fit in as many sights as possible.”
“Tom, you leave it with us. We’ll write out a list of places you have to visit before you go.” As Gloria gushes, Dee calmly reaches into her handbag and pulls out a tiny notebook and pencil. She even licks the end before jotting down several lines on the pad.
“And you’ll have to change,” Gloria says, wrinkling her nose at my hastily put-together workout gear. “There’s a store that sells all the fancy things you young people wear only a few blocks away.” She gestures vaguely in a direction to the left, and I remind her that she’ll have to be more specific. Doesn’t she remember how easily I get turned around?
Marching orders in hand, I race to the clothes store and pick out the first smart button-down and jeans combo I can find. It’s at times like this I’m thankful for all the stamina I’ve built running after moody teenagers. I hastily change into my new outfit in the fitting rooms and return to the hotel with a whole five minutes to spare.
As soon as I screech into the lobby, Dee presses a meticulously organised list into my hand and drags Gloria into a bar before she’s tempted to meddle any further.
I lean against one of the many columns in the reception area, hoping to hell that my heart rate will slow down now that I’ve finished my sprint across town.
When Paisley finally steps out of the elevator, my breath catches in my throat. Thank God I shelled out extra for the ‘fancy’ jeans because Paisley’s pulled out all the stops for this non-date.
She’s wearing a black A-line dress that falls just above her knee, cinched in at the waist by a dainty gold belt, and a pair of toweringly high beige wedged heels. Her blonde locks have a slight wave to them now, and Paisley’s pinned them to the side so they flow over one of her narrow shoulders.
Getting lost was the best thing I’ve ever done. I open my mouth to tell Paisley how beautiful she looks when she cuts me off.
“I have some ground rules,” she says seriously, keeping herself an arm’s length away from me. “No phone numbers, no second dates.”
“I thought this wasn’t a date.” I grin triumphantly.
“You know what I mean. This is just for today. Then we go our separate ways. You find your stags, and I focus on work.”
“So, a holiday romance? I can do that.”
“Still not a date,” she reminds me.
“Fine. A holiday friendship then,” I laugh.
“Fine?” she asks suspiciously. “Really?”
“Believe it or not, Paisley, I’m not planning to whisk you away for a midnight wedding. I just want to explore Vegas and share that with someone. What do you say? Do you trust me?”
Her ocean eyes meet mine, and I see the exact moment she decides to take a chance. A small smile plays on her lips, and she finally links her arm with mine. “So, where are we going?”
“Away from prying eyes,” I mumble cryptically as we pass two familiar figures huddled behind an enormous broadsheet newspaper. Where they’ve found a copy of The Times , I’ll never know.
“Have her back before ten,” a sharp voice calls out after us.
“Is that?—?”
“Yep. Keep walking,” I urge, guiding Paisley out of the hotel and to safety.
It’s one non-date. Nothing more, nothing less. I can do that, right?
Let’s go see Vegas, baby!