Chapter 14 Cute Stalker
CHAPTER 14: CUTE STALKER
LACEY
“ D id you pack your toothbrush?”
“Yes.”
“A regular bra? You don’t want to have just a sports bra all week.”
“Yes, Poppy, everything is packed. Besides, we’re less than five minutes from the airport. What would you do if I told you I hadn’t packed a bra?”
“I could give you mine.”
I laugh hard. “Right because my double Ds would fit so nicely in your B cups.”
“I’m just saying one time when I went out of town, I forgot to pack a bra and I had to go buy one and it was terrible. Almost ruined the whole trip.”
“I’m going to Orlando. I’m not going to Mars. I think if I forgot to pack something I would be able to run to the store and find it.”
Her phone pings.
“Could you check that for me?” She pulls off of the interstate and down the exit ramp.
“Huh. Unknown number and all it says is ‘Hey!’”
“Weird. Probably the wrong number.” She shrugs her shoulders. I set her phone back in the cup holder. “Are you excited for a little vacation?” she asks.
“It’s not a vacation. I’ll be sitting in conference rooms learning about how to be a better occupational therapist. We have a half day in Disney and the rest of the time we’ll be networking and learning.”
“Yeah, but Disney sounds fun.”
“I guess, if you’re into waiting in lines, dodging toddler meltdowns, and boob sweat.” I laugh. “You and Logan have any plans?”
“The usual. Trying to soak up the last few weeks before I start at Dogwood Manor.”
“I’m glad you two worked out. Him bringing me chocolate ice cream and fries the other night was so thoughtful. I wish I could find someone like him.”
“You will. I know it.” She smiles.
She turns into the airport, drives around the curve in the road, and pulls into one of the spots lining the sidewalk outside to the departure doors. “You get back on Friday morning, right?”
“Yep, I’ll text you the flight information, but I think I’ll land around eight.”
She shifts into park and leans over the center console and gives me a hug. “I know it’s been a stressful couple of weeks for you. Try to have fun and I’ll see you Friday.”
“I’ll do my best.” I climb out, grabbing my suitcase and bag from the backseat.
“Fly safe. Love you,” Poppy shouts through the window as I walk away from her car.
“Love you more,” I shout back, throwing my hand up in a wave.
I make my way through the sliding doors of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. To no surprise, the security line moves slowly and the airport is incredibly busy. By some miracle, I manage to make it to my gate with thirty minutes to spare. I check my phone and my battery is sitting at fifteen percent. Shit. I dig in my bag until I find my charging cord and survey the terminal for a place to plug it in. I spot one empty chair next to a wall outlet and make a beeline for it.
A handsome stranger arrives at the chair the same time I do. He has auburn hair and green eyes. A smile flashes across his face and a dimple appears in his left cheek.
“Oh, sorry,” I say.
“Oh, no, that’s my bad. You take it,” he offers.
“Thanks.” I clumsily try to pull my suitcase and bag close to me. I sit down and notice he’s still standing to my left and staring at me.
“I’m Lacey.”
“Chris,” he says, putting out his hand to shake mine. The woman seated to my right stands to leave.
I nod my head towards the chair she previously occupied. “Care to join me?”
He grins and makes his way over.
“So, Chris, where are you headed?” I ask, trying to break the now very awkward silence hanging between us.
“Same place as you I imagine.”
“And how would you know where I’m going? Are you stalking me?” I laugh as I plug my charger into the wall and attach it to my phone.
“No.” He shakes his head and points toward the television screen above the desk where one of the gate agents is talking to a young family. In big, bold, white letters Orlando is displayed. Of course we’re headed to the same place. Everyone at this gate is. Real smooth Lacey.
“Oh. Right.” I laugh despite myself. “You headed to visit the mouse?”
“Oh no, well I think I’ll be headed there one day, but I’m an OT and I’m headed to a conference.”
“An OT? An old tailor?” He laughs at my pathetic attempt for a joke. “No, wait I know. You’re an observant telemarketer?”
“Occupational therapist,” he shakes his head at me. “And what do you do?”
“I’m giving you a hard time. I’m an OT too.” I smile and tuck my hair behind my ear.
He laughs loudly and a few people sitting across from us glance over our way. An announcement asking for volunteers to check their luggage comes over the speakers and interrupts our conversation.
I quickly stand with my bag. “You mind saving my seat? I’m going to have my bag gate checked. Unless you wanted to take your bag too?” I nod toward the black roller bag sitting to his right.
He shakes his head. “No. I’m keeping my things with me. I don’t want anything getting lost.”
“Suit yourself. I’m going to take advantage of them checking my luggage for free. Guard my chair with your life.”
He lets out another chuckle and I feel his eyes on me as I cross the carpeted floor toward the gate desk. I return to my still empty chair and plug my phone back in. Settling back in my seat, I scroll on my phone waiting for my boarding zone to be called.
“Any chance you’re in 15D?” he asks.
“Huh?”
“Your seat on the plane? I’m in 15E.”
I shake my head. “I’m afraid not, I’m in 10A.” I pull my e-reader from my bag and swipe it open to the enemies to lovers story I keep failing to connect with.
“Should we exchange numbers?” he asks.
“Huh?”
“Your number? You know I’m headed down by myself, so I thought maybe we could grab a drink or something?”
“Oh, yeah, sure. I’ll text myself from your phone.” He hands me his cell and I quickly type my number in and shoot myself a text. I hand it back to him and pick up mine. My lips curl into a devious smile as I save his number. I turn the phone around so he can see.
“You saved my number under ‘Cute Stalker’?” he chuckles.
Maybe, Orlando will be just what I need after all.