Page 51 of Love Me Ever After
Immigration was a delight as always. Despite the queues not being as long as I’d experienced before, I still felt guilty when the immigration officer questioned me about my reasons for being in the US. Every time I’d been to the States, immigration made me feel like a terrorist, even though I had no criminal record. Pretty sure I wasn’t the only person who felt like that. But when he heard my accent, he leaned closer to the glass and beckoned me to move closer as if he was about to tell me a secret.
“Did you know that Paul McCartney was on your flight?”
“No, I didn’t. We were probably in different parts of the plane.” One day, I’d love to turn left or go upstairs on a plane, but those days were far, far off.
“He’s come over to do a gig at Madison Square Garden. It sold out within minutes.” He shook his head as he did the necessary with my passport. “Wish I’d have been able to get tickets. Enjoy your trip and good luck with your interview.”
The car Lane & Parks had organised for me was waiting when I walked out of the arrivals hall. Luckily, this time around I didn’t have too much luggage to try and fit into the boot—no, the trunk. I smirked to myself thinking about how I’d have to get used to the little UK/US language anomalies again.
Surprisingly for a Sunday night, traffic appeared relatively light. We got to the small, boutique hotel near Times Square a lot quicker that I’d thought. Once I’d found my room, I quickly unpacked knowing I’d be too tired later. Normally, I wouldn’t bother but because I had work clothes with me, they needed to hang and let the creases drop out. The last thing I wanted to be doing was ironing.
I stripped off the clothes I’d travelled in. Before getting in the shower, I updated the people who needed to know where I was.
Mason: I’m at the hotel, getting cleaned up. See you soon!
I sent Whit the address details, then messaged Ems, conscious of the fact it was the early hours of the morning. But she’d insisted I let her know I’d arrived safely, even if she was asleep.
Ems: Glad you got there safely. Now I can get some sleep xxx
Mason: Why are you awake anyway?!
Ems: Couldn’t settle until I knew you were at the hotel. Talk to you in the morning xxx
Mason: Love you and miss you xxx
Ems: Love and miss you more <3 xxx
Fuck.Why was I doing this?
Half an hour later, Whit and I sat in the rooftop bar with a stunning view across the city. I was determined not to fall asleep and had ordered an espresso along with my whisky cocktail. We ordered nachos and mozzarella sticks; I couldn’t stomach anything more at this time of night. Whit filled me in on all the office gossip I’d missed and, more importantly, let me know what had happened with the last client I’d been working with.
“I can’t believe you’re back,” said Whit, swiping a nacho with salsa and guacamole. “You were gone like, less than three months?”
I laughed. “Yeah, I can’t say I had expected to return quite so quickly. But when I found out Gareth had a role and Janine specifically said I should apply, I couldn’t turn it down.”
“Bet your life back in that small town really compares, right?” Whit winked, taking a sip of her Cosmo.
“Things are… different since I got back.” I chewed on a mozzarella stick.
“So what’s new?”
“I got back with Ems.”
“Wow! That’s awesome! How did that happen?”
Okay, so she didn’t need to knowexactlyhow it happened. “She finally realised she couldn’t live without me.” I smirked.
“Arrogant much! That’s gonna go downsowell with Gareth.” Whit laughed, picking up her glass and lifting it in my direction. “I guess if you get the job then I’ll finally get to meet Ems in person.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I sipped my whisky, trying to resist the urge to down it. “That’s kind of a sticking point. We keep getting into arguments about it. I almost didn’t come.” Some of the rows we’d had over the last week had been total doozies. For one small moment, I had considered backing out. Given my recent interactions with Robert Lane, I was confident of progression in the UK, but the States was a whole different ball game. Pride convinced me to come and see how it panned out.
“If she really loved you, she wouldn’t stand in the way of what you wanted.”
She was right and I knew it.
“Do you want another drink?” Draining the last of my coffee, I pointed at my glass.
“Why the hell not? I know I said I had some prep to do for this week, but you’re only in town for a few days and it’s not as if you have anything important planned for tomorrow…” Whit winked. “Shots?”
