Page 49 of Never With You
@worth_traveling_to:
Glad we resolved that.
@girl_sees_the_world:
Me too.
@worth_traveling_to:
Anything else you want to know?
@girl_sees_the_world:
I think that’s it…for now.
@worth_traveling_to:
I like your addition of ‘for now.’ Very open-ended.
There’s a thump when the tires hit the ground. I crane my neck to see out the window, but it’s useless. Everything’s dark except for the airport lights on the runway. As we taxi, I take my phone off airplane mode, hoping there will be something new from him, but there’s nothing. Maybe he’s ghosting me because I asked about his marital status, or maybe I’m just in my head—plausible based on my lack of sleep.
But there is a new text from Nate.
Nate:
I’m so far in the back of the plane I think I’ll land ten minutes after you.
Carly:
What’s that? I can’t hear you back there.
I send my text with a picture of the long aisle from the front of the plane to the back. I flip to other messages and emails, reading them. The next few minutes are spent going through everything I missed while offline.
Yesterday morning, before we flew out, I had to add a last-minute executive and his wife to the trip—someone Nate is related to. There are more Farnsworths on this trip than I can count. Of course, they requested a presidential suite in every hotel we’re staying in, which required some major switching around. I can’t even blame Nate for the inconvenience. But the last confirmation for their hotel in Phuket finally came through, so I can mentally check that off my list.
The seatbelt sign dings, and everyone on the plane scrambles to their feet. I’m not waiting for Nate at the gate. I haven’t waited for him on any other flight. Honestly, I’ve been avoiding him all day while traveling. I’ve gone my way, and he’s gone his, which helps keep the peace. He’s not someone I want to spend time with. The return flights will be much better since the upgrade put me on a completely different flight and travel itinerary from him.
I stop by the bathroom and do a quick look in the mirror. I look pretty feral—messy bun, day-old makeup, mascara smudges, bloodshot eyes, dark bags under my lashes, and a Dr. Pepper stain on my chest from some surprise turbulence. There are limits to first-class. It doesn’t magically make you look good while traveling.
My phone dings with a text.
Nate:
Back of the plane just landed.
Carly:
It’s about time. I’ve been waiting at the luggage claim for thirty minutes.
This jokey banter between Nate and me is new. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but the success of the trip hinges on us getting along and working together, so a little friendly conversation is necessary, I guess.
I stick my phone in my back pocket and head out of the bathroom. When I reach the baggage carousel, I get a cart and wait until the luggage appears. One by one, I grab our suitcases and bags full of swag.
“Took you long enough.” The corner of my mouth lifts as he walks up.
“Some of us were exiting from the back of the plane.” He grabs the luggage in my hand and lifts it onto the cart.“How was your flight?” He turns around, and his gaze flicks over me.
Swiping at my hair, I stare back at him. “Yeah, I know I look bad.”
