You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(45)

“Do you think I should?”

“It could be really sweet,” Julie says. “I remember performing something at a poetry reading once. Sam was the only one who showed up. It’s one of the moments that made me realize I was falling in love with him.”

Sam was always thoughtful that way. Maybe I could borrow a page from his playbook. “That might not be a bad idea. Since it sounds important to him. It’s not like I have other plans tonight, unless you count rewatching Downton Abbey.”

“Oliver, you’ve watched every season twice already.”

“That’s what makes it comforting. I already know what happens.”

Julie sighs. “Sounds like you need a break from your dorm. What about that Pindar Dance? Isn’t that happening tonight?”

“It’s next weekend.”

“You should invite Ben to that.”

“It’s way too expensive,” I remind her.

“But I thought you had tickets already?”

“Correction, they were Nolan’s tickets. And I have a hunch he’s not taking me anymore.” The Pindar Dance is an annual formal that begins with a fancy four-course dinner. It was created by some rich alumni who wanted to make sure students knew the right spoon to use.

Julie exhales. “Well, forget it, then. I’m sure you’ll find something better to do.”

It sounds pretentious anyway, having to dress up in a suit and tie. Admittedly, it might be fun to experience that once. But it’s not like I can go with Ben anyway. I guess there are a lot of things we can’t do together.

I must have gone quiet for a long time, because Julie says, “Is everything else alright? I’ve been a little worried since our last call.”

I think about how to answer this. Part of me wants to tell her everything, but how would I even explain it to her? Maybe there’s a way to ease it in. “Actually, I do have a question. If I told you something crazy, would you believe me?”

“Like what?”

“If something unexplainable happened and I decided to tell you, would you believe me?”

“Is it about Sam?”

“No…Why?”

“I was just wondering.”

“It’s not about him.” Well, not really.

“Then what is it?”

“It’s a hypothetical question, okay? Just answer it.”

There’s a brief silence. Then she says, “Of course I would believe you. You can tell me anything. No matter what it is.”

“I really appreciate that.”

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

Another silence.

“Maybe not this second,” I say.

“Well, okay. You know how to reach me.”

Thankfully, she doesn’t push me. This would be so much easier in person. I’m sure I’ll tell her eventually. For now, we just chat like old times. It’s nice hearing her voice over the phone. Julie tells me about her trip to Lund. Apparently, it’s only a short train ride from Copenhagen. She went on a spontaneous date with some Swedish boy who showed her the best meatballs she’s ever had. It’s to be determined if they’ll see each other again, which she seems to find more romantic to leave up to fate. It sounds like she’s truly having a great time. I bet she would stay longer if she could.

After we hang up, I call my mom. She’s working a half shift today. I ask if I can borrow the car when she’s back. I think about what Julie suggested earlier. Ben’s conference should go into the evening. That gives me plenty of time to get there.



* * *





Flags flutter above the entrance of the Plaza Hotel. Ben mentioned where he’d be over text this morning. I hurry into the lobby and look for the elevators. The conference room should be on the seventh floor (I checked online before I left). I thought about bringing him flowers, but I didn’t want to get here too late. Especially since Ben doesn’t know I’m coming.

I’m hoping I’ll find a crowd of students to follow. But the elevator opens to an empty floor. I turn down the hall and manage to find the conference room. All of the doors are locked. I probably should have planned this better. How close do we need to be to find each other? I try to turn the handle one more time. It doesn’t sound like anyone’s on the other side. Several minutes go by. I’ll have to let Ben know I’m here. I’m sure he’ll still be surprised.

A man approaches from behind.

“Can I help you, sir?”

I turn around to face him. “Uh, just waiting on a friend,” I say.

“Does he have a room here?”

“Maybe…”

“I’m gonna have to ask you to wait downstairs.”

I should have lied better. “Just let me text him real quick—”

As I’m about to press send, the doors behind me open and a crowd begins to pour out, filling the hall with students wearing colorful lanyards. The security guard has vanished. I stand there for a second, taking in my surroundings. A sign has appeared next to the door: Astronomy, Astrophysics & Science Education. So this is the right place! Ben must be somewhere nearby. I head into the conference room to look for him.

Display boards line the tables; students are presenting their research. I walk through the middle row, glancing at images of planets, quasars, and other things I don’t recognize.