Page 190 of The Vacation Mix-Up
“Go!” I say, laughing as I slap his chest. “I’ll text you when I land.”
As he walks backward, his eyes don’t leave mine until he bumps into a man in a business suit. “Shit! Sorry, man.”
The guy mutters something in French.
“Watch where you’re going!” I call out, shaking my head.
“You want to kiss me again, don’t you?”
I giggle. “No!”
He frowns and lets go of his suitcase.
Continuing to giggle, I cover my face with my hand and peek through my spread fingers. “Riley!”
The stubborn jerk doesn’t budge.
“Go!” I urge him, pointing tothe gate.
He shakes his head.
Peanut butter.
Hiking my bag on my shoulder, I run toward him, his arms encasing me when our bodies collide, lips sealing one final time before he sets me down and then disappears beyond the gate.
I stare at the closed door and draw in a deep breath, my heart plummeting like a meteor slamming into the earth’s surface, loneliness once again a dark, hovering cloud. A sob rips through my chest, but I subdue it. We’ll see each other soon… I hope.
When my planelands at LaGuardia, I make my way to baggage claim and switch my cell back on, a message alert from Riley chiming almost instantly.
Just landed. Had to sit next to a snorer. It was hell. If I ever snore again, feel free to suffocate me.
I giggle and type my reply, awkwardly dodging other passengers.
Never! I just touched down too. So tired. Couldn’t sleep on the plane either.
Pressing Send, I pocket my cell, then quickly pull it out and type another message.
I miss you.
The pending message bubble bounces on my screen, sending a weird sense of excitement through me as I wait for his response.
I miss you more.
Biting my lip, I stare lovingly at his words and sigh.
Lovingly?Golly gosh, it’s too soon for that, surely?
I grip my cell and take the escalator to the carousel, waiting impatiently as suitcases pass by, none of them mine.
Are you home yet?
Just got in. About to unpack.
I’m waiting for my suitcase. Oh, I see it. Better go
I dash a little closer and wrench it off the conveyor belt, nearly taking out an unfortunate man who didn’t use enough sense to move out of my way.
“Sorry,” I grouch, ridiculously apologizing forhisstupidity.
