Page 84 of Someone Like You

‘So can you.’

‘Ah… no. Ipretendto be articulate and charming, when inside I’m scouting for the nearest exit. And that’s just one of the many,manyways you’re cleverer than me.’

‘Nice backpedalling,’ I say.

‘It’s not back— I’m serious, Gabs. You’re so brave. You moved across the world all by yourself and made a life in London. I could never have done that, especially in my twenties. And you’re lovely and kind and thebestfriend. I can’t think of anyone who would do a better job taking over my role. Claire will be lucky to have you. Global Reach is lucky to have you.’

Tears unexpectedly prick my eyes and I’m momentarily left speechless.

‘Thanks,’ I whisper, not trusting my voice.

He grasps my knee and squeezes, and our eyes meet for a long moment. I can’t help but wish he already knew how I felt and that he felt the same. Because moments like this, where the lines of friendship blur, are going to become more difficult to endure. Especially with the week coming up.

Raff breaks eye contact, looking past me excitedly. ‘Ooh, the pasta looks good, doesn’t it?’ he asks, craning his neck.

The flight attendants show up with their carts, doling out food and drinks, and our moment vanishes.

‘Would you like to watch a film after we eat?’ Raff asks. He points to the screen on the seat back in front of him. ‘Look. They’ve gotWhen Harry Met Sally– your favourite.’

It’s not my favourite but it’s up there. I saw it with Gina for the first time when I was about fifteen because it’sherfavourite movie. Other than the mortifying experience of sitting next to my momwhile Meg Ryan faked an orgasm, I liked it. And since then, I’ve seen it at least ten more times.

Only watching it with Raff? The film about two people who’ve been friends for years, then fall in love? Uh, no.

‘If you wanna watch something we’ve already seen, how aboutAntman? We both liked that one.’

‘Yeah, all right,’ he replies, giving me a funny look.

21

GABY

‘Gaby!’ I can hear my dad’s voice, but it takes a moment to find him in the crowd of people, all of whom are on tiptoes scouring the emerging passengers for their loved ones.

I finally see him and when our eyes meet, we break into matching grins.

I glance over my shoulder at Raff. ‘This way,’ I call out, and he nods. The poor guy looks exhausted. We landed over an hour ago and I was straight through immigration, but the non-US-citizen line took a lot longer. I was waiting for him in baggage claim with both our bags by the time he cleared immigration.

‘Hi, Dad!’ I say, throwing my arms around his neck. I’m super close to my mom, but I’ve also been a ‘daddy’s girl’ since forever.

‘Hey, sweetheart.’ He squeezes me tightly.

We step back and regard each other, him with a mock-appraising eye. ‘Your mom is going to tell you you’re too thin,’ he says, a longstanding joke between us.

He meanshethinks I’m too thin – though compared to his mom, myabuela, his sisters, my female cousins on the Rivera side,and even Issy, I am. Abuela calls me ‘her little stick girl’, something my older cousins used to echo mockingly.

Dad looks past me and grins at Raff, his hand outstretched. ‘Rafferty,’ he says.

‘Roland,’ Raff replies. They shake hands and do the manly back-slap hug.

‘Okay, let’s get out of this chaos,’ says Dad, taking the handle of my suitcase. ‘Come on, I got a great spot next to the elevator.’ This means he drove around for at least twenty minutes until a spot near the elevator opened up.

We follow Dad through the crowded arrivals hall, then outside towards the parking garage. The air seems colder and crisper than I expected – none of Seattle’s trademark ‘mizzle’ – but it’s not likely to stay this way.

We pack our luggage into the back of Dad’s SUV, then Raff and I fight over who gets the front seat. He insists I take it, and I lob back with, ‘You’re a foot taller than me and need more leg room. Besides, it’ll give you the best view of the city.’ He relents and gets in next to Dad.

As we drive onto the freeway, Dad runs us (well, me) through the latest news from the Rivera family – mostly good, although Abuela is being stubborn about taking her medication because it makes her head fuzzy. As she’s typically a quick-witted, super-sharp octogenarian, I can understand why that would frustrate her.

Dad also wants to know all about his baby girl’s new role. It doesn’t matter to him that I haven’t landed it yet.

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