2 Hours and 37 Minutes

Chapter 7

Mason POV 

        The doors opened on the third floor, and I made my trek to room 323. I had to knock on the door because I didn’t even think to get a key card from Mom before I went on my internal rant at Nick. The door opened to reveal a very tired looking Mom: her hair was frizzing on the ends from the humidity, and her casual knee length shorts and t shirt were slightly rumpled.

            “Shh,” she put a finger to her lips and pointed to Lee curled up on the bed dead to the world. On the bed opposite the one Lee was engulfed in, Mom had already started to unpack. “Can you call Marc and let him know we made it? I’m going to finish unpacking,” she whispered as to not awake Lee. I nodded and reached in my pocket to retrieve my phone. It wasn’t there; I patted down my others pockets, no luck.

            “I’ll be right back; I must have left my phone in the car,” she nodded while I snatched the abandoned keys off the table. Opening and closing the door as gently as I could, I made my way out into the hallway. As I made my way toward the elevator, a girl came out a room down the hall. When she looked at me, she gave me a small smile. I politely returned until I realized that this was the same girl from the lobby. My eyes widened slightly; I hope she didn’t notice. Arriving at the elevator, she had already pushed the down arrow. While we waited, I noticed she was wearing a swimsuit under sheer, white long sleeve cover up that reached the middle of her tanned thighs. Her dark blonde hair was pushed back by a sleek pair of aviator Ray-Bans, a purse slung over her left shoulder, and a book, I couldn’t tell from this angle what the name of it was, was clutched against her chest with a hand that I noticed had black nails.

            The elevator doors opened; I motioned for her to enter ahead of me. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks that I almost didn’t notice. This girl is even more gorgeous up close. She stepped in with me hot on her heels; her flip-flops made a muffled popping sound on the tiled floor. Pushing to button for the lobby, she made this cute little sigh. The silence in that elevator was deafening. I was about try talking to her and probably make a fool out of myself when the overhead lights started flickering. Well that’s weird. Then the elevator shook and dropped slightly. She stumbled forward at the sudden movement, and I wrapped my arms around her waist to keep her upright. When she was steady, I reluctantly let go.

            “You okay?” I asked.

            “Yeah,” she nodded. Her voice was like little bells tinkling. I’ve got it bad.

            The bright lights of the elevator went completely out for a second before a dull light came overhead. When I looked at the screen above the buttons, I noticed we were stuck between the second and third floor. You could see the two with the outline of the one behind it.  

            “I think we’re stuck,” she chimed. When I looked at her, you could tell she was putting on a brave front. Her eyes told me she was worried but was trying not to worry. The emotions were at war on her innocent face.

            “I don’t have my phone on me, you?” I wondered. She dug around in her bag that landed on her hip. Producing an iPhone much like my own except it was clad in a batman case, she pressed the home button. When the screen lit up, she frowned.

            “I don’t have service,” she said defeated. Pouted. She pouted, and it sent little flurry of butterflies to my stomach. With the only option left, I mashed the “in need of assistance” button. All there was left to do was wait. How long? I don’t know. Might as well get comfortable.

            “Mason Reeves,” I announced as I stuck my hand out for her to shake. The corners of her mouth quirked up.

            “Cassidy Montgomery,” she answered as she slid her tiny hand into mine. Her skin was so soft, and she smelt like sunshine and rainbows. This trip might be looking up.