Page 158 of Double Fault

“Of course I did. But I have to go again.”

“We can talk later, then. Let me know when you’re with Lucy.”

“I will,” I promise.

“Okay, talk to you soon.” Then he’s gone.

I stare at my phone, confused about why he hung up so abruptly.

Maybe he’s worried about the state of my bladder?

I read once about a woman whose bladder exploded because she held her pee too long. Did he read the same article?

I use the restroom and as I follow the signs to baggage claim, Lucy texts to tell me she’s almost here.

It’s by sheer luck only that I don’t throw my back out when I yank my overstuffed suitcase off the carousel.

I miss Noah.

Get it together. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours.

Weighed down by my luggage, both physical and mental, I head outside just as Lucy’s vehicle pulls up.

Relief floods me immediately when she hops out of the car.

“Oh my God, look at you!” I drop my duffel and open my arms, shocked at how much her belly has grown. Sure, I’ve been seeing it on FaceTime, but it’s different in person. “There’s really a baby in there, huh?”

“Yep, really a baby,” she laughs, squeezing me tight. She lets me go but keeps a hold on my elbows. “How are you doing?”

And just like that, the waterworks start up.

“Oh, Sabrina.” She pulls me into another hug and rocks from side to side. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat. Are you hungry? Maybe some coffee to help with the jetlag. Do you need to stop at a pharmacy or anything?”

“Food and coffee would be great.” I wheel my suitcase to her trunk and heft it inside, then lay my duffel and backpack down beside it.

Once I’m buckled into the passenger seat, I send a text to Noah, letting him know I’m with Lucy and getting a bite to eat. Before he can reply, I shut off my phone. I just… I need to try not to think about him right now.

“Do you want to talk about things or…?” My best friend turns down the radio and peers over at me, her lips tugging down at the corners.

“Not right now.” My nose tingles and tears threaten again. “I need to eat and sleep and just… figure it out.”

We swing by a fast-food joint and I get a burger, fries, and Diet Coke. Every bite of it is gone before we even make it back to the house.

The car has barely come to a stop in the driveway when the front door opens and Alyssa comes out. Without a word, she strides straight for me and opens her arms for a hug.

“How are you feeling?” she asks as she releases me.

I shuffle to the back of the car and pull out my suitcase. “Sad, but I’ll be okay.”

And I will be. Eventually.

Upstairs in the guest room, I leave my suitcase next to the bed, and Alyssa drops the duffel onto the mattress.

Lucy hugs me once more and holds me for a long moment. “Unpack and get some rest. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

When I’m alone, I collapse on the bed, taking a few deep breaths. I should turn my phone back on and check my messages, but I can’t bring myself to do it. It’ll only remind me that Noah’s so far away.

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