Page 54 of Ticket to You

OPHELIA

Almost as soon asAdam is out of my sight, the panic sets in again. First about the bags, then about him, aboutus. Once I’m checked into our hotel room, I collapse on the bed and pull out my phone. Gemma is the one contact I have marked as a “favorite,” and I click her number immediately. The one upside to being away from Adam right now is I can seek outside counsel in peace.

Pick up, pick up, pick up. It’s early morning in New York, but after a few rings the call connects. “Gemma!” I shout, hopping up from the hotel bed.

“Hi…how are you?” she asks, groggy. “Did something happen with your flight?”

“No, no. We made it to Manchester. Our bags are delayed, so I checked in at our hotel while Adam waits for them. But listen, that’s not what I called you about. I need you to talk some sense into me. And fast. Adam could be back any minute.”

Gemma’s voice takes on a shrill edge. “What’s going on?”

“I’m an idiot, Gemma. I’m a stupid, dumb idiot.” Moving to the windowsill, I tap my leg against the wall, watching for Adam’s arrival in the street below.

“Slow down. Just tell me what happened.” I can perfectly picture Gemma’s calming smile and the way it deepens her wrinkles.

I fiddle with my strawberry-print watchband, unable to say the words.

“Ophelia!” Gemma says, impatient. “You can’t call me at five in the morning and not tell me why!”

“I kissed Adam,” I finally admit, covering my face with my hand. My cheeks are burning hot. “I mean…more than once. A lot.”

Gemma’s disbelieving laughter echoes through my phone. “Youwhat?Is this a joke?”

“I wish.”Do I, though?“I was so caught up in feelings and threw caution to the wind. This wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s so unprofessional. And we’re so different. In whatworlddo I think this is a logical decision?”

“Love isn’t logical, and it certainly isn’t a decision,” Gemma says, still laughing.

“Let’s not jump straight to ‘love.’ That’s ridiculous. Right? That’s way too soon.” Just saying that word makes my stomach roll.

In all my years and through all my relationships, love was never on the table. And whenever a guydidtry to mention it, that was a telltale sign things needed to end. The only people I’ve ever loved were my grandparents. And I still ache from their absence every day. Of everything I know of love, one thing is certain: it leads to loss.

“Wait, did you sleepwith Adam?” Gemma asks, interrupting my runaway thoughts.

“No, we haven’t done…that. Not yet.”

“Hey, I’m getting another call. Give me a second, okay?” Gemma switches her line before I can protest.

The quiet minutes seem to drag on forever.

“Who was that?” I demand once I can hear Gemma click back to my call.

“Don’t worry about it. Ophelia, listen, don’t let your head get in the way of your heart. Got it? There’s a reason I tried to set you up with Adam months ago. You’re more alike than you realize, and if you stop overthinking every damn thing, you might actually find yourself happy—genuinely happy.”

“You’re the one who told me that Hoffman’s will hold me accountable if Adam and I make the trip seem like some kind of romantic getaway on the company’s dime. I’m getting mixed signals here.”

“Neither path is perfect, neither is detrimental. I can’t make this decision for you, Ophelia.”

Damn.“Okay.”

“I’m going to hop on the other line. I’ll talk to you soon, okay? Love you.”

“Love you too,” I whisper.

There’s a beat of silence, but Gemma’s voice comes through again before I can hang up. “I don’t know if she’d ever admit it, but I think she’s falling in love with you, too.”

I sink onto the windowsill, pressing my head back against the cool glass, and my mouth hangs open.

“Are you there?” Gemma adds after a long pause.

---