Unveiling Love

Chapter Five

Sandro didn't stay for dinner, but later that night after all the chaos of the day died down, I received another text. 

I was lying in bed, thinking about the fact Sandro still had that stupid letter where I spilled my eighteen-year-old guts when my phone pinged. 

S: I have a job coming up in security at a dinner in Santa Fe, New Mexico in two days. They need waitresses for the event, if you're interested. 

My heart may or may not have started flipping out inside my chest. 

Me: I thought spending time with me was the last thing you'd want to do.

S: Do you want the job or not? The manager just called and asked if I knew of anyone.

Me: Of course I'll take the job! 

S: You'll make $600 for the night. 

My eyes bugged a little at that. 

Me: That sounds great! 

S: It's about a six-hour drive so we'll leave friday morning at 8am. We'll get there around 2 in the afternoon and check into the hotel where the event is being hosted. We each get a free room on top of the pay. 

Me: Okay

Okay... Six hours in the car there. Six hours in the car back. I was going to be spending a lot of time with Sandro. It was a dream come true, so why on earth did I feel like I was I about to throw up?

S: I'll see you Friday.

Me: Goodnight, Sandro.

S: Night.

I stared at the ceiling for what felt like forever as I tried to understand what happened. Either Sandro really believed that I wasn't here for him or he just didn't care. Maybe Ivy convinced him to try to help me get a job.

All I knew was that Friday was two days away and I wanted to take advantage of every single minute I was able to spend with Sandro. The way I saw it, I had twenty-four hours-thanks to this job-to convince him we should at least go out a couple times. 

I mean, Kelly's husband practically stalked her before they dated! Okay, stalked isn't totally accurate, but it was close. 

Me: Hopefully this doesn't wake you up, but is there a dress code for the wait staff?

S: Black top, black pants, black shoes. Let me know if you don't have something and I'll get it. 

That deserved an eye roll. 

Me: Thanks, but I'll probably head to the mall tomorrow morning! :)

S: Alone?

Me: Yeah, unless Ivy wants to go with me. 

S: Take Ivy. She doesn't have a life. 

Eye roll. Eye roll. Eye roll! 

Me: That's rude

S: Just don't go alone. It's a big city. 

Me: You realize I just drove here from Ohio, right? 

S: Please?

Hope fluttered in my stomach. Maybe he did care. 

I decided not to reply and set my phone on silent all of three seconds before exhaustion hit me hard. I'd barely slept during the two days it took to get here, so my body was ready to sleep forever.