Page 45 of Still Me
I sat back, faintly despairing. Garry set off, bumping the limo gently over the potholed car park as he headed back to what he considered civilization.
—
We arrived back at Fifth Avenue at four forty. As Agnes climbed out, I hurried out beside her, clutching the bag with the special paper.
“Agnes, I—I was wondering... what you said about me leaving early today...”
“I don’t know whether to wear the Temperley or the Badgley Mischka this evening. What do you think?”
I tried to recall either dress. Failed. I was trying to calculate how long it would take me to get over to Times Square, where Sam was now waiting. “The Temperley, I think. Definitely. It’s perfect. Agnes—you remember you said I might be able to leave early today?”
“But it’s such a dark blue. I’m not sure this blue is a good color on me. And the shoes that go with it rub on my heel.”
“We talked last week. Would it be okay? It’s just I really want to see Sam off at the airport.” I fought to keep the irritation from my voice.
“Sam?” She nodded a greeting at Ashok.
“My boyfriend.”
She considered this. “Mm. Okay. Oh, they are going to be so impressed with this drawing. Steven is genius, you know? Actual genius.”
“So I can go?”
“Sure.”
My shoulders sagged with relief. If I left in ten minutes I could get the subway south and be with him by five thirty. That would still give us an hour and a bit together. Better than nothing.
The lift doors closed behind us. Agnes opened a compact and checked her lipstick, pouting at her reflection. “But maybe just stay until I’m dressed. I need second opinion on this Temperley.”
—
Agnes changed her outfit four times. I was too late to meet Sam in Midtown, Times Square or anywhere else. Instead I got to JFK fifteen minutes before he had to head through security. I shoved my way past the other passengers to where I could see him standing in front of the departures board, and hurled myself through the airport doors and against his back. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
We held each other for a minute.
“What happened?”
“Agnes happened.”
“Wasn’t she going to let you out early? I thought she was your mate.”
“She was just obsessed by this artwork thing and it all went... Oh, God, it was maddening.” I threw my hands into the air. “What am I even doing in this stupid job, Sam? She made me wait because she couldn’t work out what dress to wear. At least Will actually needed me.”
He tilted his head and touched his forehead to mine. “We had this morning.”
I kissed him, reaching around his neck so that I could place my whole self against him. We stayed there, eyes closed, as the airport moved and swayed around us.
And then my phone rang.
“I’m ignoring it,” I said, into his chest.
It continued to ring, insistently.
“It might be her.” He held me gently away from him.
I let out a low growl, then pulled my phone from my back pocket and put it to my ear. “Agnes?” I struggled to keep the irritation from my voice.
“It’s Josh. I was just calling to see how today went.”
