Page 70 of Jingle Bell Jilt
hey shay
Yes?
That should be read with skepticism. What else could he possibly want?
Nathan
do you really think us not getting married was for the best
Definitely.
Nathan
you could have at least paused first
Nathan
for the record im sorry I didnt leave a note or even text you that wasnt cool
I stare at his words for a minute. That’s his take away? I just nod because I have no words.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
SHAY
“Can I help you with your bags, Miss?” A man probably in his early thirties leans into my row and motions to the overhead compartment I’m ducking under. I don’t even look to see if he’s wearing a ring because I don’t care.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m good. I just have my backpack.” Yes, I realize that may not be a good idea. If Evan wants me to stay, I’m kind of hosed, because I only have one change of clothes shoved into my backpack. But if, as I fear, he wants nothing to do with me, then I don’t have to awkwardly pull a suitcase down his long driveway. Yes, I may have found his house on Google Earth. Don’t judge me.
The guy smiles at me. “Where are you headed? We can share an Uber.”
I smile and lie. “Thanks, but my husband’s picking me up.”
He looks down at my empty finger—not at all discreetly—and then back up at me. “It’s okay. You don’t have to lie.”
I tip my head to the side. “Sorry, it sounded better than the-guy-I-hope-will-be-my-husband.”
He nods. “Ah, a boyfriend that won’t commit?”
I shrug. Dude, just leave it alone already.
He pulls a card out of the front pocket of his briefcase and hands it over to me. “If you get tired of waiting, give me a call.” He smiles at me again as he joins the herd of people bumbling their way down the aisle. Iwasin a hurry, but now I think I’ll put a little space between us.
Where was this guy when I was freshly dumped and vulnerable? I watch his head as he ducks out the door and disappears. Could it be that the Universe doesn’t hate me? Maybe it’d been keeping me available until I bumped into the right guy. Maybe the Universe and I aren’t enemies after all.
There’s finally another hole in the crowd, and I hop into the aisle and sling my backpack onto my shoulder.
If my Universe theory is right, Evan is just waiting for me to come to my senses, and this will all be tied up nice and neat before the day is out. Oh, please let the Universe like me.
I put a little giddy-up in my step and make my way out of the plane. “Thanks for flying with us, Ma’am. Have a great time in New Hampshire.” The flight attendant gives me a perky, albeit, fake smile.
I smile back. “I plan to.”
I pull out my phone and take it off airplane mode. Pulling up my text messages, I text Nathan.
I just arrived.
Nathan
