“That’s right, Salt Lake City has a hockey team.” How the hell did I know that? I’ve been hanging out with Carson Lee too much.
Tyler pulls my chair out for me, and it’s nice to be treated so kindly. Tyler gives me a small smile and when the waiter comes over, he orders a bottle of wine. Like last night, we have small conversation, and I’m enjoying his company. We talk mainly about college and even some about our families. Like me, Tyler comes from a small famil
y. His parents divorced when he was young, but both remained very active in his life.
The dinner makes my mouth water because it’s so delicious. I laugh a lot with Tyler but am glad when the evening ended. When he walks me to the door, I know he might try to kiss me. Even though Tyler is nice and good company, I don’t think he and I are more than friends. As he leans in, I slightly turn my cheek, and he catches the corner of my mouth. I know that isn’t what he was expecting.
“Have a good night, Kinley,” he says politely.
“You too, Tyler.”
~
“Carson, if you could please cooperate for a little bit longer, I won’t have to kill you!” I yell at him.
“Shit, Kinley, how long is this commercial? Thirty seconds? Why is it taking five hours to shoot?”
I don’t answer him. I roll my eyes, turning my back to him. He obviously listens to me because within the hour, it’s complete.
Usually, I’m the last to leave, but tonight I’m the first. I don’t want to deal with the models, Cassie, or even Carson. I need some downtime. I need to be alone to gather my thoughts.
I toss everything onto the spare bed and flop onto mine. I can feel my eyes growing heavy, but my phone ringing interrupts my potential slumber.
“Kinley, the flight is booked,” my mama’s voice sings out from the other line of the phone.
“That’s great, Mama,” I mumble with half of my face still in the pillow.
“We will be there late Wednesday night, and I can’t wait to see you for an early breakfast on Thursday.”
Of course, Mama wants to get me up early on my day off. “That sounds great,” I lie to her.
“Now, your father said something about golfing. I don’t know what he’s talking about, but is there somewhere he could go?”
I sigh. “I’ll find somewhere for him, Mama.”
“Great, see you in a few days.” She disconnects the call before I can even say goodbye.
I give up on sleep and make the decision to get some ice and break into the mini bar. I drag myself out of the plush bed and grab the bucket. Of course, Carson would be coming out of his room. That’s why Karma is a bitch.
“Don’t you just look cheery? Ice run?”
“I’m always cheery, and yes, I am. I’m hoping that I have a long and pleasant date with the mini bar in my room.” I walk away from him and down the hall.
“Nice. Your parents are coming soon, right?” he asks catching up to me.
“Yes, they’ll be here in a couple of days. Tyler still here?” I want to ask only to know how much longer I need to avoid him.
“Shouldn’t you know whether he is or not?”
“How would I know something like that?” I smart off to him. “I’m not his keeper, and I don’t have him attached to a GPS.”
“Me either. Just figured you would be in contact after the ‘great’ date you two went on.”
I stop and turn to him. “Great? Well, I wouldn’t put it quite that way. I mean, I had fun but nothing I would tell on Oprah.”
“Ah, I see.” He nods. “But no, he’s not here. He left earlier today.”
“Well, I’m sorry you’re the only male again. I guess that leaves you being the only thing the models can play with.”