The Dysfunction Of Evan: Books 1-3 Collection

21. Spotlight

Work seemed to be a place where time stood still. My flight for Toronto left in five hours, and I was stuck here for another two. It felt like I'd already been there for twelve hours. I did my best to occupy myself to keep the down time at bay. When eleven thirty hit, I booked it to my car. I'd already packed and had everything ready to go. I was thankful to only live an hour from the airport. My flight left at three thirty, I'd be arriving in Toronto around seven am. 

Luke was there to greet me when I got to baggage claim. He scooped me into a friendly hug and told me Tom was already at the hotel. I followed him to the waiting car. 

"So the movie premiers at nine tonight, the carpet walk starts at seven thirty. You and Tom are expected to arrive at eight fifteen. You'll leave the hotel at seven forty five." He said looking over the notes he had scribbled in a planner. I was looking out the window as the car wove through traffic. 

"How was Chicago?" I asked. I hadn't spoken to Tom all weekend, he was busy at a comic convention. 

"He had a good time." Luke said. "He's excited to see you." 

I smiled at the news. "I hate to burst his bubble, but I need to sleep. I've been up for twenty four hours. If I stay awake much longer, I'm going to start seeing shit." 

"I'm sure he expected you wanting to sleep." Luke said with a slight laugh. "We've got the dress you ordered. Natalie will be coming to your room around six to help you get ready." 

"Okay, good. I'm still trash at doing make up." I laughed. Luke gave me an odd look. 

"You changed your hair?" He asked.

"Oh, yeah. Early last month. I got sick of it getting tangled, so I chopped it off." I said. My hair, which had once fallen to the middle of my back, now grazed my chin. "I also got sick of the color." 

"Red suits you, it looks nice." He said. I thanked him. His phone rang and he immersed himself in conversation. 

I'd never been to Toronto, and like our trip to Seattle, I wouldn't have time to actually see it. I was so tired, though, that it didn't take long for me to fall asleep. 

"Astrid, time to wake up." Luke said gentle as he rubbed my shoulder. I yawned and opened my eyes. I looked out the window, we'd arrived at the hotel. I got out and grabbed my bag, which Luke insisted on taking from me. 

"Let's see if we can get you upstairs before you collapse." He said, putting an arm around me. I was so groggy that walking truly was a challenge. 

I leaned against the elevator wall as we traveled upwards to the eighteenth floor. We got off when the doors opened, and Luke guided me down the hall to our room. He opened the door and I walked inside. 

"Your room is over to the left." He said. I looked around. It was much bigger and nicer than the suite in Seattle. I was standing in a large room with light green and deep brown furnishings. There was a massive TV mounted to the wall, and a full size kitchen. A door to the back of the room lead to a balcony. To the right, I could see a small room with a full size bed, and to the left, a room with a king sized bed. Oh, that bed looked amazing. I steered myself towards it. 

It was unmade, and I could hear the shower running in the adjoining bathroom. I turned and thanked Luke as he set my bag on the dresser. 

"Get some sleep. I'll order food later." He said. 

"I will, can you make sure I'm up by like, two?" I asked opening my bag to pull out my PJs. 

"Sure thing. What do you want for lunch?"