Page 78 of A Lot to Unpack
‘Hilarious,’ I reply. ‘No. No delay. I’m actually on my way to the airport now.’
‘Thank God,’ Mum says. ‘You’ve had us wondering.’
‘Well, not only am I coming,’ I start, barely able to contain my excitement, ‘but I’m bringing a plus one.’
There’s a pause.
‘Oh,’ she says cautiously. ‘Who?’
‘You know the dating app I’ve been working for?’ I reply.
‘Oh, God,’ Mum blurts.
‘Please tell us you’re not resorting to some freak you found on the internet,’ Dad calls out.
‘Wow,’ I say dryly. ‘Charming. No. I’m bringing Jordan – my boss.’
There’s another second or two of silence.
‘Your boss?’ Mum confirms.
‘The one who owns the company?’ Dad chimes in, suddenly sounding a lot more interested.
‘Yeah,’ I reply.
‘Well, look who’s landed on her feet,’ Mum teases.
‘Is he good enough for you?’ Dad checks.
‘He’s amazing,’ I say. ‘Honestly. I think you’ll both love him.’
‘Do you love him?’ Mum teases. ‘And can I tell your Auntie Eleanor? She keeps asking, to confirm numbers. She’s finalising the seating plan and she’s convinced you’re coming solo.’
‘Tell her. Tell everyone,’ I say, grinning. ‘We’re flying to Leeds. He’s got business there first, but we’ll be in by the day before the wedding.’
‘Oh, love, that’s great,’ Mum says. ‘So happy for you. Can’t wait to see you. And Jordan, of course. Fly safe.’
‘I will,’ I reply. ‘Love you.’
‘Love you too,’ they shout back at the same time.
I hang up. We’re finally at the airport and, even while the driver unloads my bags, I can’t stop grinning like a psycho.
I’m heading into the airport when my phone starts ringing – it’s Paige.
Shit. She’s probably calling to check up on me, to see if I’ve done what she asked and switched the contracts out. Obviously I didn’t, and I have no intention of doing so. I know, I’ll lose my job, one way or another, but I care far more about protecting what I have with Jordan. That means more to me than any job.
Of course, I won’t tell her about the two of us. It’s not my place. Plus, she would probably explode.
I answer brightly.
‘Hello, Paige,’ I say.
‘You didn’t do it,’ she replies. She doesn’t even say hello, so I already know it’s going to be bad.
‘I’m sorry, it’s just?—’
‘I asked you to do something, Liberty. And okay, sure, you could have not done it. Not ideal. But it would have been better than what you’ve done,’ she rants.
