Page 26 of The Fear of Falling
Avery:
Hey ladies, this is Benson. No, I’m not an artist, and having a conversation is like breathing for me, so that’s hardly a talent. Dani’s only saying good things about me because I promised to buy a special edition of her next book. I wanted to let you all know that I’ve been taking very good care of your cousin and will be sure to return Avery better than how I found her.
I gasp and try to stop him from hitting send, but I’m too late. “Oh my gosh, they’re going to think… I don’t even know what they’re going to think!”
“Am I wrong?” Benson raises an eyebrow as he shifts in his seat to get a better look at me, his arm stretching out across the back of my chair. “There’s no question that you were great to begin with, Avery Grace, but you are not the same woman I met on the plane.”
No, I’m not. That Avery wouldn’t have bought a bracelet simply because she liked it, and she would have spent all day at the Galleria to get the most out of her ticket, even if she was bored the whole time. That Avery wouldn’t be looking at Benson and wondering if it would be worth kissing him, no matter the heartbreak that will come with it.
Texts come in from my cousins immediately, making Benson chuckle as he starts up a conversation.
Poppy:
Mr. Sexy-Benson or a different one?
Avery:
The very same.
Poppy:
I think I need a picture to be sure you’re not phishing…
Sadie:
Uhh…taking care of her how?? That can mean so many things. And I agree photo evidence is required.
Avery:
And ruin my mysteriously handsome stranger status? Not biting. Dani can vouch for me.
Sadie:
Dani, is this true?
Lucy:
You realize you can’t claim “handsome” without proof, right? As of now you’re just a mysterious stranger. According to a lot of books and podcasts, those are also called “kidnappers.” I’m expecting a photo of Avery with today’s newspaper at any moment.
Sadie:
Also the fact that you won’t give us any photographic evidence is concerning…
Lucy:
I for one would like to state that my bank account has a number smaller than my age, so meeting a ransom is going to be tough. I’ll dip into my savings if I must, but don’t expect much!
Benson laughs out loud as soon as he reads Lucy’s last text, shaking his head. Unfortunately for Lucy, she’s probably not lying about her bank account. Her mother’s destination wedding plus frequent flights to Canada are likely hurting her financialsituation. “There are so many ways I could take this,” he mutters, thumb hovering over the keyboard.
I’m feeling more adventurous than usual, so I say, “What if you sent a picture of a small part of you? I can be in it so they at least know I’m alive.”
Eyes dancing, he opens the camera and flips it to selfie mode, lining it up so only one of his ears is in the shot with me. I’m about to bust up laughing, so I cover my mouth with my hand right as he hits the shutter button.
“Perfect,” he says and starts typing.
Avery:
Wow, tough crowd. Reluctant to scrounge up a couple bucks to save your cousin from her incredibly handsome captor? For the record, I have plenty of my own money. *winky face* But if you insist…
