Page 201 of The Vacation Mix-Up
Picking up my cell—which I put on silent—I blink again, hoping the time of eight seventeen, a missed call from Riley, and a slew of his messages aren’t indeed what’s on my screen.
Peanut butter.
My stomach grumbles, so I click Save, email my work to Georgia,and head out of the building, dialing Riley’s number as I brave my trek home in darkness.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he says as the call connects, his voice gifting me the first feeling of joy I’ve had all day. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just had a busy first day back.”
“That bad, huh?”
“You could say that.”
A cab horn blasts beside me, so I press the phone closer to my ear.
“Where are you?” he asks.
“Walking to the subway.”
“At this time of night?”
“Don’t worry, country boy. I’m used to it. This city girl can take care of herself.”
He doesn’t say anything, but I picture him gripping his hair.
“Be careful. You’ll snap it.”
“What?”
“Your hair.”
He chuckles, but there isn’t much humor in his tone.
“If it makes you feel better, I’m not the only one who works late in this city. There are plenty of people about. And anyway, I’d much rather hear about your day. Are you back in the workshop?”
“I am.”
“I bet you’re relieved.”
“I am.”
“Are you at home?”
“I am.”
“Are you just going to keep saying I am?”
“I am.”
I sigh. “Riley.”
“Riles.”
Taking the stairs to the subway, a blast of wind blows my coat apart as I descend underground, so I secure the tie and hug mybag tighter. “I might lose reception soon, so stop with the I-ams. How was your reunion with your family?”
“It was good. Poppy loved her presents.”
I smile. “I’m sure she did.”
