When I arrive at the airport, I check my luggage and pass-through security, all before the moon disappears. I couldn’t risk missing my flight and not getting back home today.
With nothing left to do, I wander the concourse, counting the seconds until I return to K.C. Between meetings and training, Wren kept me busy for twelve hours a day, so I didn’t have time to think. She agreed to go over everything in three days rather than the typical five, so I could get back and settle into my new position.
I wish I was going back to see Alexander, but even though my circumstances have changed, that doesn’t mean anything else will. Even if he wanted something different, do I? Could I accept that I was his second choice? I don’t want to be someone’s backup plan. I straighten my shoulders and walk back to the boarding area. As we near the two-hour mark from liftoff, a few more passengers go through security. Now what?
I groan and flop onto a seat away from the other passengers. The last thing I want is to make idle chit-chat with someone who has an endless supply of dog and cat photos they’re dying to share with me. I drop my carry-on in the adjacent seat. I should have purchased a sleep mask for the flight.
Maybe the bookshop has some. I scan the shop, but from this distance, I can’t make out any of their novelty items.
After retrieving my cell phone from my bag and turning it on, I frown. Zoe called ten times since last night. My stomach drops as car accidents, heart attacks, purse snatching, bear attacks, and other worst-case scenarios flood my brain.
Clearly, taking a sleeping pill yesterday afternoon knocked me out.
Two rings later, she answers. “Hello?” Her voice is groggy, as if I’ve woken her up.
“Hey, it’s me. I’m sorry it’s so early. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. You scared me.” The sound of mattress springs shifting fills the phone. “I wasn’t expecting the phone to ring at 6 o’clock in the morning.”
“And I wasn’t expecting to have ten missed calls from you. What’s with lighting my phone up if everything is okay?”
“I caught Alexander sneaking around your house last night.”
“Oh?” My heart thunders in my chest. Well, that answers that question. I want him back, no matter what. It doesn’t matter what else happens. I need to see him.
“He wasn’t honest with you.”
I nearly swallow my tongue. Was he coming by to make sure I’ve moved on? My hand shakes. Just when I thought we had a chance, my hopes get dashed again. I gnaw on my bottom lip. “What did he want?”
“He wanted to see you, and that’s all I’m divulging. But you need to listen to what he has to say. Not everything is what it seems.”
“Oh, for god’s sake, could you be any more cryptic? Why did you bother to call if you weren’t going to say anything more than that?” I sling my bag over my arm and lurch out of my seat. I need a sleep mask and a bottle of wine. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.
“I’m sorry. But I told him I wouldn’t say any more than that. He’s been trying to get ahold of you. Why didn’t you answer?”
“I’ve been in non-stop meetings and turned off my phone. When I got back to the hotel, I crashed.”
“That makes sense. The second you get back, you need to–”
Her voice rattles on as I drop the phone to my side and stare with my mouth hanging open. Alexander strides toward me. His T-shirt hugs his every contour, and the faded jeans fit like a second skin. He’s so gorgeous, it hurts to look at him.
My phone. Zoe. I lift my arm. “I’ve got to go. Alexander is here.”
“Ahh, that’s so sweet. Listen to him. I’m serious….”
“Okay, I’ll listen.”
His eyes rake over me from head to toe like he’s drinking me in. But there’s no way he missed me more than I’ve missed him.
“And tell me everything. And I mean, everything.”
“I will.” I click my phone before the words are out and stash it into my bag as he stops in front of me.
“Hey.” One corner of his mouth twitches into a smile as excitement buzzes inside of me. He came to find me. He flew over 600 miles to see me at 6 o’clock in the morning when I’ll be back home by early afternoon.
I bite my lips together to keep from giving in too easily and cross my arms over my chest. He’s going to work for this. “What do you want?”
A full grin covers his face. “That should be obvious. I want you.”