Page 48 of Love Rescheduled

“I know.” Truly, I knew I couldn’t control his actions, but I was going to do my best to convince him otherwise.

“Good luck, honey,” Tara called out. “Call us when you land.”

The light turned green, and I proceeded into unknown territory. “Thank you. I will. Oh, and will someone please check the seismic activity in LA and then text me? I didn’t have time before I left.”

They broke out into fits of uncontrollable laughter.

“You’re going to be fine,” Jolene assured me.

That was yet to be determined.

As soon as I found a parking spot in a garage across from the airport’s terminal, I hopped out of the car with my bag and called Josh one more time. “It’s me again. Please pick up or text me back. I don’t know if this is some game of chicken for you, but I swear I’m coming. I texted my itinerary to you. Don’t make me call Zac and ask for your address. I’m not sure he would even give it to me. He said some hideous things about me earlier. I’ll probably need to revisit my therapist because of it. Maybe he’s right; maybe I have played with your heart and emotions. You have to believe me: it wasn’t intentional. Josh, I love you. I’ve only ever wanted what’s best for you. I’m not worth passing on what you’ve worked your entire career to achieve. That said, please, please don’t make me have to call a stranger for a ride. I don’t know if, after all of this spontaneity, I can handle it.”

I hung up, even more unsure if I should get on the plane. What if Josh didn’t come? What if he didn’t want me there? But … what if this was my only chance to talk him out of ruining his career? Did I love him enough to sacrifice my temporary emotional well-being to save him? I’d loved him enough to leave him, even though it had broken my heart. So, the answer was yes. For Josh, I would do this one last thing. Then I would walk out of his life forever. And not be the “ho bag” Zac had accused me of being earlier.

I clicked my key fob to open the back hatch and grabbed my carry-on, hoping my best friends took mercy on me and texted me a seismic report. The likelihood was low. Maybe if I hustled, I could check before the plane boarded.

I rushed through the parking lot and took the elevator to the lower level. I swore a couple of women recognized me on the way down and whispered conspiratorially. It was enough to make my skin crawl and think of going right back up and forgetting this entire thing. It was also a good reminder of why Josh and I weren’t compatible.

When the elevator door opened, I hesitated to get off, but then I thought of a world where Josh hated me. That I couldn’t have. I mustered up all my courage and marched off the elevator, the cold humidity sweeping through the garage and seeping through my jacket. It was more incentive to cross the street and get to the terminal, if only to be warm. I stood waiting to cross the busy road where people were dropping off and picking up passengers, dreading getting on the plane. Being out in public drained so much energy. It’s hard for introverts to people all day, especially when they can’t go home at night and rest in their little cocoons.

As soon as it was safe, the waiting group was being herded across the road. Halfway to the other side, I swore I heard Josh call my name. Wow. I was apparently having hallucinations. No doubt brought on by my irrational behavior.

“Natalie,” I heard Josh’s voice yell again.

This time I looked around, praying I wasn’t going insane. That’s when I saw Josh’s head bobbing in the crowd walking toward the parking garage as he tried to push his way through.

I stopped in the middle of the road, sure I was having some sort of mental breakdown. Why would Josh be here? I was flying to LA to see him.

The surrounding people didn’t appreciate me holding them up, judging by the dirty looks they threw my way as they maneuvered around me. But I couldn’t move as I watched Josh run my way, carrying his old duffel bag. It was like being in a dream montage in a movie. It was so surreal; I couldn’t trust it.

“Natalie,” he said, out of breath as he neared.

“Josh,” I could hardly speak, fearing this was a delusion. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you. Where are you going?” He stared at my luggage, crestfallen.

“Didn’t you get my messages? I’m coming to see you.”

“I turned my phone off before I boarded the plane at the crack of dawn this morning. I haven’t turned it back on. All I wanted to do was get to you. I was picking up my rental car.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the foolish man who was obviously a glutton for punishment coming back here.

“Wait … You’re flying to LA? Now?” He seemed confused. He wasn’t the only person befuddled at the turn of events.

“Well, that was the plan.”

“Why, Nat?” He seemed not only surprised but pleased by the thought.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the sidewalk closest to the parking garage.

His tight grip spoke of never wanting to let me go. That was going to be a problem.

A few people kept stealing glances at us, recognizing Josh. The fishbowl feeling was back in full force, and so was my upset stomach. I pulled Josh into the parking garage, hoping to gain some vestige of privacy.

Not even a second after we found refuge near a concrete barrier, Josh discarded his bag and took me into his arms, his lips landing on mine.

“Josh,” I mumbled against his impatient lips.

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