Finding Paris

Survival Skills

Finding Paris

Chapter Twelve: Agreements

I think it was fortunate that when the next morning came, neither Jared nor I woke up before lunch. In fact, it was well past noon when I woke up warm and comfortable on the twin sized bed. Unfortunately, Jared did not share that optimism. It seemed like the laughs we shared last night did nothing to thaw his cold demeanor. This boy was surely bipolar! He's probably has manic depression or something!

"We have to get going. We have already wasted half of the day," Jared told me irritably, shrugging on the shirt he had worn yesterday. He had slept in his undershirt and jeans while I woke up with crumpled clothes from yesterday.

I could not help but watch as his muscles rippled while he dressed. It was mnortifying when he caught me looking. I rubbed my eyes and fake-coughed. i don't know why I did it, but it seemed to clear away any embarrassment. "On the bright side, we saved money on breakfast. Oh, speaking of food, maybe we should get some lunch? I mean, I would not want to impose on the man at the front desk, but do you think he can sneak us some room service free of charge?"

"We don't have time for food. I can't believe you're thinking about that at a time like this. Don't you think we have more pressing concerns than eating?" he snapped.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked, aggravated and at the same time a little weirded out, "Don't you ever eat? You didn't even want to share my granola bar last night. Aren't you the least bit hungry?"

"That is exactly why I do not understand how you can be hungry. You ate a granola bar last night," he said as if it made perfect sense.

"You are so weird!" I huffed, exasperated. I threw myself down on the bed once again and closed my eyes to try to drift off to sleep.

A sharp pinch on the cheek made me sit up in pain with a little cry.

"Are you getting up or is this the part where I leave you behind?" Jared asked me menacingly, patting the spot on my cheek where he had just pinched me.

Wait, was he really touching my face?

"Oh, what is that cry I hear in there?" the voice seemed to belong to the man from last night. He even sounded a little gleeful, "Can I come in?"

Something told us that he was not waiting for an answer. Quick as a flash, Jared dived under the covers and pulled the sheets up to our chins. He looked at me urgently and motioned for me to scoot closer to him with his expressive eyebrows. Conflicted and frankly, startled, I still did as told. He quickly draped an arm around me. My mother would kill me if she found me in bed with a man.

Seconds later, the door burst open and the generous little man was beaming down on us. His beady eyes looked almost warm with delight. "Monsieur, Mademoiselle, dejuener for you."

Assuming he just mentioned food, we had just solved our lunch problem.

We thanked him profusely with Jared clearing his throat when we were all just staring at one another. When the little man had left with a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eyes, I looked up at Jared with a triumphant smile. Releasing me from the arm that held me pinned to his side, he sighed.

"Fine," said Jared, rolling his eyes.

I dived for the tray of food and silently gave him a plate with a smile. He also ate in silence.

***
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Jared and I were not proud of what we did next, but I was honestly a little freaked out by the enthusiasm and interest that the little man at the front desk showed at my tall tale last night. Besides, what nice and innocent man took the night and the day shift at a hotel? There was something creepy about him and we were tired of putting on a show. Jared was worried that he might pull something the moment we tried to leave.