Page 48 of Never With You
“I’ll carry it to your car. Where are you parked?”
“No, thank you. I think we’ve spent enough time together for one Friday night.” I grab the box from his arms. His fingers slide over mine as he transfers the weight to me, making the transition more handsy and awkward than I prefer.
Without another word, I spin around and leave Nate in my dust.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the airport,” he calls behind me.
Not if I can avoid it.
“Tell your friends it was lovely meeting them.”
Oh, there are lots of things I’ll tell my friends once I go back inside.
I closemy tray table and put my seat upright in preparation for landing. The seatbelt sign dings on, and the captain’s voice crackles through the speakers, announcing our descent into Bangkok. I stretch, savoring the last few moments of comfort in my first-class seat, already mourning all the uncomfortable flights in my future. Flying will never be the same after this. Ignorance is bliss. Now I know what I’m missing out on. For the past three flights and twenty-three hours of travel time, I’ve been spoiled with warm towels, gourmet meals, and a seat that reclines into an actual bed.
Somewhere in the back of the plane, Nate is taking one for the team—taking one forme. I resolve to be civil. It’s the least I can do. Endless legroom and plush blankets have earned him that, despite crashing my friends’ dinner and my friends spilling all my secrets.
The last thing I need is for Nate to know I was dumped by my last arrogant coworker. I’m sure he’d have a heyday with that piece of information—bring it up whenever he wants just to irritate me. After he left the restaurant, my friends had the gall to tell me there was chemistry between us and that I was just refusing to admit it.
No, if I have chemistry with anyone, it’s Mr. International. He’s mature, kind, witty, and adventurous—nothing like my insufferable coworker.
I open Instagram, even though I’m still in airplane mode, and read through the message exchange between Mr. International and me during my last layover.
@girl_sees_the_world:
I have a question I need to know the answer to. I probably should’ve asked it at the very beginning, but I didn’t, and now I regret it. Are you married?
@worth_traveling_to:
If I were married, do you really think I would be messaging you so much?
@girl_sees_the_world:
I hope not, but you wouldn’t be the first man to talk to another woman behind his wife’s back.
@worth_traveling_to:
I’m not married.
@girl_sees_the_world:
Or otherwise engaged in another relationship?
@worth_traveling_to:
I’m single if that’s what you’re trying to get at.
@girl_sees_the_world:
That’s exactly what I was trying to get at. Just had to double-check.
@worth_traveling_to:
What about you? Married or otherwise engaged in another relationship?
@girl_sees_the_world:
I’m single.
