Holiday Hotel Hookup Read Online Free PDF Page B

up in front of the computer all the time. He would get me out to parties or to games and such. Eventually you end up talking to people, and the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it.”
    “But you’re still a gamer too?”
    “Totally. I can’t wait to spend a significant portion of the day with a controller in my hand.”
    JJ laughed. “What I didn’t tell you, when I brought that over, is that if we hadn’t connected, I’d be doing the very same thing today.”
    “Excellent. Christmas gamers unite!” I raised my fist, not caring if those around us didn’t quite understand what the big deal was. “So tell me, besides Halo missions, what’s your ideal day off?”
    “Some of it is work related, checking out small inns and such around here. I also like getting outside if the weather’s good. Maybe ride my bike. Or if the weather’s crap, I’m happy binging on some TV show.”
    “Outside? I’m not totally familiar with that concept. Binging on TV I know well. I tend to stay on my computer. Just coding to solve problems is something I enjoy. A good book is also a favorite way to pass time.”
    “No wonder you’re so pale. I know SF is foggy, but it’s possible to get some color through the clouds. I bet I could get you to like the outdoors.”
    “Oh, a challenge, huh? My dad tried camping once, and I just didn’t get it. Buggy, outdoor bathroom, no climate control.”
    “You need to come out here in the spring. I’ll show you a proper outdoor time. Tell me you at least know how to ride a bike.”
    “Except for a spin bike, I haven’t done it since I was like ten or eleven.”
    He shook his head as he put his forehead in his hand. “I’m takin’ this challenge. What about the beach?”
    “All that sand. Not my favorite either. Now I am okay sitting on a deck and watching the waves come in. That’s a nice time, especially if the company’s good.”
    “Okay, I can work with that. You willing to let me show you some stuff while you’re here the next couple weeks? Maybe I can do for the outdoors what Brian did for your personality?”
    “Never say never, but I’m not sure it’s possible. I’m a lot older now than when Brian got me out of the room.”
    “You’re not that old,” JJ countered.
    “Care to take a guess?”
    “I’m thinking you’re not thirty yet. I’ll go twenty-eight.”
    “Well done. You nailed it. I’ll turn twenty-nine in February.”
    I studied JJ. He smirked, seeming to know I was working on his age. When I started taking too long, which was on purpose to see what he’d do, he furrowed his brow.
    “It can’t be that hard,” he said.
    “It’s not. Your reaction made me draw it out.”
    “Jerk.” He swatted at my hand on the table. “So how old am I?”
    “I’m going to say twenty-five.” He didn’t offer a facial reaction to that. “Given how ambitious you sound, if you were any older, I’d think you’d be out West by now.”
    “Good job. In two weeks you’ll be right.”
    Nearly four years younger than me. That wasn’t bad. And I liked his ambition, even more so since he wasn’t in computers at all. We wouldn’t end up talking about the same work stuff.
    Damn. My brain was moving fast, thinking of a future with this guy, and we weren’t even past a first date yet. I liked him, though. If nothing else, I suspected I was making a friend in Dallas.
    I checked my watch. It was coming up on noon, which meant Halo time was just around the corner.
    “We should get back,” I said. “ Halo time starts in about fifteen minutes. Let me text them to let them know I’m actually in and that I’m bringing someone along.”
    “You sure they won’t mind?” he asked, mouth full of food, which was adorable.
    “Totally. People are brought in all the time.”
    “Sweet.”
    We wolfed down the rest of our food and made it back to the hotel just as it was time to log in and get down to business.
     
     
    “S ERIOUSLY ? Y OU weren’t kidding about a marathon,”