Page 5 of The Suitcase Swap

He’d also not glanced at his watch even once.

‘You really don’t have to stay with me,’ Sophie said. ‘I’m feeling much better.’

The corner of his mouth hitched up. ‘Nice try. Every time you take a sip, I can see that your hand is still shaking.’

She hadn’t even noticed. ‘I don’t want to keep you from whatever you’re rushing off to do. Unless it’s something dreadful like a meeting.’

‘It’s something dreadful like a meeting,’ he confirmed, guiding her around a family that had stopped in the middle of the walkway to comfort their child.

‘Will you get into trouble?’

He shook his head. ‘Travel delays happen. I don’t need to be specific about it.’

They got to the luggage carousel, immediately plunging into the chaos. There was so much bustle in an airport, so much noise and confusion. People trying to rush off to the next step of their travels dodging around people who looked as dazed and exhausted as she felt.

The man grimaced as he leaned this way and that, trying to catch sight of the luggage as it slowly rotated around the belt. ‘I’m convinced that any modernization of Dante’sInfernowould take place in an airport.’

Sophie blinked up at him. ‘I don’t follow.’

He waved a hand at the crowd. ‘Tell me you wouldn’t picture this as limbo?’

‘Only limbo?’ Sophie asked. “Not something worse?”

‘It’s only baggage claim,’ he said. ‘Wait until you hit customs. That’s pure seventh circle.’

Sophie tried to remember what the seventh circle was, but her tired brain refused to cooperate. ‘Which one’s the seventh?’

‘Violence,’ he said grimly, though she could see a glimmer of laughter in his eyes. ‘Which is generally how I feel while I’m waiting in line for the customs agent.’ Hold on, I thinkI see mine.’ He darted forward, weaving through the crowd before she could respond.

Sophie finished off her water, wandering over to the side to look for a bin, when she spied her own luggage twirling by. She dodged around several people, muttering apologies despite the fact that they were the ones making it difficult, and grabbed her suitcase handle. The black case looked much like several others around it, but she’d spotted her luggage tag printed with the swoops and swirls of Van Gogh’sStarry Night. She righted her bag, draping her carry-on and cardigan over the top.

She turned and almost bumped right into the helpful man, and realized she hadn’t even asked his name yet. She opened her mouth to say something, only to be jostled suddenly by a man chasing after his toddler. He shouted an apology but didn’t look back as Sophie wobbled.

The helpful man’s hand shot out, catching her elbow and righting her quickly. ‘Got your luggage? Excellent. Let’s get out of here before we’re trampled.’

He carved a path for her as they weaved their way out of the crush. Sophie, who had been plodding along, focusing on his suit jacket and paying very little attention to anything else, was brought up short when she realized they’d moved on to customs and immigration.

The man turned back to her, a questioning expression on his face. ‘Are you okay?’

‘My son warned me, I just—’ She let out a breath. ‘They’rearmed.’

The man followed her gaze towards the police standing off to the side. He didn’t look pleased, but he also didn’t seem surprised. ‘First time in New York?’

She nodded.

For a second Sophie thought he might reach out and squeeze her hand or hug her, but instead he cleared histhroat and when he spoke, his voice was gentle. ‘There are many ways that New York will remind you of London. This . . . isn’t one of them.’

‘It’s okay,’ she said, though the wobble in her voice belied her words. ‘Just a shock.’

He assessed her for a moment, then obviously decided to let it drop. She started to follow him again, only to realize that he was heading for a sign that said ‘Global Entry’. Which Sophie didn’t have.

She looked forlornly over at the regular queue. Seeing her stop again, the man turned and, without speaking, seemed to understand the situation.

‘You didn’t sign up for anything?’ he asked.

Sophie shook her head. ‘Not exactly a frequent flyer.’

He pursed his lips as he examined the queue she was supposed to join. Sophie laughed, holding up her hands. ‘Oh, no. You’re not going with me. I’ve delayed you enough.’

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