The guy's eyes held no condemnation or question as he smiled at me. "We have several drivers for our guests. I'll have Frank take you back to the restaurant or anywhere else you want to go."
"Thank you so much. It's Jaspers." I moved to the lobby and sat down, tugging my heels on before standing up on wobbly legs. The night of making love with Easton not only left my body humming for more of him but left the stark reminder that he was a big guy.
"Right this way." The bellman held the door open for me as I jogged through it.
"I can't thank you enough." I gave him a tight smile, still waiting to see the judgment in someone's face.
"No problem at all. Mr. Parks is a good man. We'd do anything to help him or his friends out." He waved at me, and I returned the gesture before getting into the back of the car.
"We going to Jaspers this morning, ma'am?" The driver turned and caught my attention.
"Yes. Thank you." I sat back as he pulled the car out into the street. I put my phone to my ear and called Casey, wanting to know what time she would be back into town.
"Hey. Where are you? I just got back to the dorm and you're gone. I was hoping like hell that your date with Mr. Big Stuff went well and you were wrapped up with him somewhere." She snorted.
"Yeah, well I was at his place, but now I'm trying to get back to Jaspers to get my car. I'm going to be late to my first class, and you know the prof is a total ass." I let out a sound of frustration. Why everything good had to always be accompanied with the bad was beyond my ability to think through.
"What can I do to help? Want me to meet you in Langington Hall with jeans and a t-shirt? I decided to come up there for classes since I'm back already."
"That would be incredible. And bring panties, a bra, and my tennis shoes."
"Right. I'm not even going there. I'll just bring the full outfit." She chuckled.
"Why are you home already?"
"Long story. We can have coffee after class at that little corner store bakery you like. They still have that bacon grilled cheese right?"
"Yeah. I'll see you at Langington around ten-forty. Don't be late. Class starts at eleven."
"Okay, but I want the full details on last night. Every single minute. Play by play. Not a–”
"Alright. I get it. I'll tell you all about it, even the part where I woke up to a damn note instead of the hot guy." I dropped the call before she started a fresh wave of questioning. I wasn't sure what to think about the note. I knew that Easton had to make a flight to L.A., and there was a strong possibility that he had woken me up to say goodbye, and I had simply forgotten. There had been countless times that I'd done that to my mom in high school and Case in college.
He'd get the benefit of the doubt for now. Innocent until proven guilty.
"Here you are. Have a great day, Miss." The driver pulled me from my thoughts.
"Thank you." I pulled a twenty from my wallet and tried to tip the guy, but he wouldn't take it. I thanked him again and got out of the car, jogging toward mine and praying that traffic would be light. I had twenty minutes to make a twenty-five minute drive free of traffic. My professor for my senior literature class loved to crucify students for being tardy more than anything else. The thought of having to face her made my stomach ache.
"Yeah right. Your luck stinks on the good days. This should be fun."
*****
I made it to Langington with two minutes to spare. I'd never dressed so fast in my whole life. Casey stood outside the stall, barking at me to hurry until I wanted to punch her in the mouth.
"Done." I moved out and smiled. "Wait. What day is it?"
"Monday, silly." She opened the empty bag she'd brought my clothes in. "Put your stuff in here."
"Monday? Crap. I must have been out of it this morning. My first class was at nine. Tomorrow it's at eleven." I pressed my back to the stall and let out an exasperated sigh. "Fuck my life."
"Not happening. So...when is your next class?" She smiled and moved toward the mirror, leaning over the sink and checking her teeth.
"I only have one class on Monday. Tomorrow is my long day."
"Cool. I didn't want to go today, anyway. Let's go grab some food and gossip. You owe me a juicy porn story and I owe you the same-old-shit story." She shrugged and turned to face me.
"Oh no. Your folks were on your case again about school?" I took the bag from her and walked out into the mid-morning sunlight as my stomach grumbled.