Page 33 of Double Fault

Lucy: Don’t make me get on a plane.

Me: You’re ridiculous. I’m settling in. Maddie’s awesome.

Lucy: And Noah?

Me: What about him?

Lucy: How is he?

Me: He’s my boss. That’s all.

I consider telling her about the potential teaching position, but really, who knows what will come of it (probably nothing)? I don’t want to jinx it, so I keep it to myself.

Lucy: We’ll chat more later. I miss you!

Me: Miss you too.

I set my phone down, noticing that the water temperature has dipped a little more than I like. Not ready to get out, I use my toes to turn the hot water faucet on.

Ten minutes, I tell myself.Ten more minutes, and I’ll get out.

Fifteen minutes later, I finally towel off and change into a short dress with a flower print. It’s hot as hell here, so anything more than that, and I’ll be suffocating.

Noah and Maddie aren’t back yet, so I head down to the lobby in search of coffee and maybe a little breakfast.

Luckily, the continental style meal hasn’t been cleaned up. Plate in hand, I fill it with fruit and a waffle—it’s all about balance, right?

I add a splash of creamer to my coffee—okay, more than a splash—and drop a few packs of sugar onto the edge of my plate, then head back upstairs.

Clearly more hungry than I realize, I inhale my meal in record time. I’ve almost finished it all when the door beeps and Maddie barrels inside like a tornado.

She comes running right for me, screeching “Sabrina!”

The sound makes my ears ring, but it doesn’t stop me from opening my arms and bracing myself for her forceful hug.

That’s one thing I love about kids. How open and honest they are with their affection. Adults could learn a thing or two.

Noah is scheduled for training soon, so he calls Maddie over for a hug of his own. “I have to go. I’ll see you later, all right?”

With her back to me, I can’t see her face, but I have no doubt that she’s giving him big puppy dog eyes.

“You promise? For real this time?”

He bends down, his little finger outstretched. “I pinky promise.”

She wraps her tiny digit around his. “Deal.”

Noah straightens and dips his chin in a silent goodbye, and then he’s gone.

Maddie scurries back over to the table and settles in the chair next to mine. “Can we paint each other’s nails?”

“Sure.” I take a bite of kiwi. “Did you bring polish, or do we need to pick some up?”

“We need to pick some up,” she sighs dramatically. “We should probably get chocolate while we’re there too.”

“Oh.” I try not to smile. “Is that so?”

“Yeah. Snacks are important.”

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