Gemma and Melissa hug me and I’m sandwiched between them as they are promising to visit. They are quick to push me aside to fuss over their new favorite person. They exchange something with the Jerk—phone numbers, I suppose. Dad loads the car, then moves towards me to give me one of his big bear hugs.
“Take care of yourself, Poodle. We’ll see you when we get back from Fiji.”
“Oh, that’s right. Your second honeymoon.” I cringe.
“I’ve got a new bikini! I forgot to show you,” Mom says excitedly.
“It’s a quite a piece of string. I’m going to have to shoo those Fijian men away,” Dad jokes.
Gemma and I both groan at the same time before I walk towards the car and give my final wave goodbye.
***
“What do you mean the flight’s canceled?”
The crack of the thunder startles the both of us as we stand at the crowded check-in desk. The attendant gives us a dumb look. Haden is angry and slamming his fists on the counter to no avail. The line behind us is out the door and it appears everyone is as frustrated as we are.
Annoyed, I lean against the counter with my back to the attendant as she punches stuff into her computer.
“You okay?” Haden calms down enough to ask the question.
“Yeah, just tired.”
Apparently, due to this wretched storm, all flights are canceled. Haden is still mouthing off and I turn around and push him out of the way since he is getting nowhere with this.
“What are you going to do to compensate us? Accommodations for starters?” I take charge.
She clicks away on her computer and makes a few phone calls. A minute later we are booked at the hotel by the airport. According to her, it’s the last room available. Now it’s was my turn to panic.
“What do you mean, only one room?!” I raise my voice.
“Well, I assumed you were a cou—”
I interrupt her. “Never assume! It makes an ass—”
Haden places his hand on my shoulder. “Okay, calm down,” he says coolly. “No big deal, you take the bed and I’ll take the chair.”
“You can’t sleep in a chair, Haden.”
“I don’t think we should be in the same bed . . .”
She is staring wide-eyed at us, watching our conversation unfold. Unable to control my anger once again, I unleash my frustrations on her. “See, that’s why you don’t assume!”
I grab the tickets she issues us for the next flight and walk away without thanking her.
Geez Presley, calm the hormones down. A growl escapes me and I think it’s my anger, but it turns out to be my stomach. This day—or should I say weekend—has gone from terrible to disastrous.
“Let’s get you something to eat,” Haden suggests, taking both our bags and walking towards the exit.
We head outside the airport and straight to the hotel across the road. It is no five-star, but it’s acceptable for a night
’s rest.
“You want to go to the restaurant?” he asks.
“Room service. We’ve got vouchers.” I smile in delight.
As soon as we settle in, I’m on the phone with the restaurant, ordering everything on the menu. And I mean everything. Haden announces that he is going to change in the bathroom. Moments later he emerges with his PJ bottoms on and no top.