Sure Thing(9)

I’m hopeful fate will be in my favor for another round with her.

But first: Nan. I’m here for Nan, I remind myself.

I finish dressing. Jeans and a t-shirt will suffice for today. I find my wallet on the floor with yesterday’s clothing and pocket it, dumping the clothing on top of my suitcase so housekeeping doesn’t trip over it. I glance at my watch and see I’ve got just enough time to make it to the lobby to meet Nan. Our guided tour of American historic sites this week didn’t include a stop at the National Gallery and she mentioned she’d be quite chuffed to go there, so off we go. Lord help me. Art’s not really my thing, but for Nan I’ll go along.

I groan at the thought of all the work I’ll be missing this week. I do not have time for tourism, but it’s my turn so I’ll make the time. I’ll figure it out. Besides, I have my laptop. Certainly I’ll be able to get some work done while the bus is transporting us from city to city so I can keep abreast of business in the UK.

I exit the lift at the lobby and make a cursory sweep of the bar with a quick glance. Not that I expect to see the girl sitting there at ten in the morning, but doesn’t hurt to look, does it?

Nan is waiting for me at the lobby entrance and I wrap my arm around her, her scent as familiar as England itself. Then I push the girl from last night out of my mind and focus on the reason I’m here.





CHAPTER FIVE


Violet

 This is the worst idea Daisy has ever had. And trust me, over the years she’s had some bad ideas. When we were five she insisted we were allowed to paint our own nails, ending in our parents replacing the carpet in our bedroom. When we were ten she told me she didn’t need to study for a math test because our brains were linked and since I knew the answers she would too. When we were thirteen she convinced me to switch clothes with her in the bathroom during lunch before afternoon classes—and take her science exam for her. We pulled it off but I was a nervous wreck, sure we’d be caught and tossed into kid jail. When we were sixteen she impersonated me and flirted with a guy I was too shy to flirt with myself. She got him to ask her, pretending to be me, on a date. So technically he was asking me. I think. Anyway, I was the one who went on the actual date—and I had my first kiss with that guy, so I guess the plan wasn’t a total fail.

Following rules is my jam. Breaking them is Daisy’s.

So why did I go along with this?

This is sheer lunacy.

I’m twenty-six years old. Way too old to be doing what is essentially a twin switcheroo. I pull out my phone and call Daisy while eyeing the Sutton Travel tour bus sitting in front of the Sheraton.

“I can’t do this,” I tell her as soon as she picks up.

She sighs into my ear. “I’m so tired of your bullshit, Violet. Pull on your big-girl panties and just do it.” That’s my sister for you.

“Thanks, Daisy. That’s a very nice thing to say.”

“You’re welcome. Look, no one is forcing you to do this. If you want to go back to my place and sulk on the couch for another six months you’re welcome to it. In fact, take my room. I’m not home anyway.”

I sigh into the phone.

“Exactly, Vi. What you need is a kick in the ass. An adventure!” Her voice lifts on ‘adventure’ and I know she’s about to ramp up her sales pitch. “Aren’t you bored, Violet? You should live a little. Throw caution to the wind. Grab life by the balls!” She’s likely waving her arms around as she says this, knowing my sister. “You’re always the responsible one and really, where has it gotten you? Nowhere,” she adds unnecessarily. Because it’s true. I’ve always been the planner and yet here I am, jobless and living on her sofa.

I take a moment to feel smug about the secret one-night stand I had last night. Daisy doesn’t know about that, does she? Nope. And that was super-unplanned. It was a spontaneous home run, if I do say so myself, and I know I’m smiling like an idiot as I recall last night. I don’t have another one-night stand to compare it to, but I’m fairly certain it was exceptional. I still can’t believe I went through with it, it’s so not my thing to hook up with a stranger. I’ve never even come close to hooking up with a stranger before. I totally nailed the one-night stand thing. Pun intended.

I wonder if I might find him again tonight in the hotel bar or if he’s already checked out? Of course, if I sleep with him again it wouldn’t technically be a one-night stand anymore, would it?

“Hello, Violet? Are you listening to me?” Daisy interrupts my smutty reminiscing and I snap to attention.