Day 21: Lounge
@kingdonmicrofic - july 21 - wc: 368 - cw: mature
There's a problem with the hotel.
After two flight delays from the winter storm and an Uber ride from hell where the driver missed the exit several times, there's now a problem with the hotel booking. Of-fucking-course.
Their reservations apparently do not exist.
Mel is right behind him at the hotel's front desk, rubbing his back up and down as if to soothe him. It's not lost on him that it’s the first time she's ever touched him like this, but it was supposed to happen behind closed doors, where we can groan a little if he wants.
The conference was supposed to bring them closer and provide him ample opportunities to be all over her. He had it all perfectly planned out and even drafted a list of excuses in his Notes app to knock on her hotel room door later. He imagined her answering in a fluffy white robe, his hands untying the knot, watching it pool at her feet.
But there's no available rooms, no white fluffy robes. All they can do is sit on the couch in the lobby until the hotel eventually kicks them out.
Mel digs into her suitcase and pulls out her toothbrush. Frank can do nothing but stare at her with his hands cradling his chin.
It’s the least sexiest trip ever.
"You look like someone kicked your dog," she says. "Or however that saying goes. I think I'm using it right."
He's so sleep deprived from the long day that he doesn't stop himself from answering, pretty miserably, "Just wanted to spend time with you, and it's ruined."
"We're spending time together right now," she says.
"I wanted..." Oh, God, is this really where he tells her? In a fucking hotel lounge? "...to spend time together more... privately."
He watches her reaction carefully. She swallows, fiddles a little with her hands, and then she's standing.
"Well, I'm going to go brush my teeth," she says.
He deflates.
"Sure," he says.
She's still not moving and clears her throat. "In the family bathroom."
He straightens, gives her wild-eyed look as she wheels her bag away towards the public restrooms. He waits sixty seconds, grabs his own, and races after her.
+ Bonus screenshot of Frank's Notes app because he's a loser:
