Page 15 of Sky Full of Stars

“Oh God no, that’s great, thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”

The flight is only an hour and we’re seated together in a row of three. Elle gets out her laptop and starts working immediately. She’s writing her next book already and I’m fascinated watching her fingers on the keyboard, the words pouring out of her, characters created, and stories mapped out, just flowing out of her head.

Kevin makes small talk, telling me about his last visit to Chicago. I drink far too much coffee and I’m jittery and tense when we get off the plane. When we arrive at baggage claim, I’m informed my bag has been left behind. Just what I need. I assure Elle and Kevin I will be fine sorting out the claim while they head to the hotel. I call ahead to the bookstore to let them know we’ve arrived and I’ll be there as soon as possible to make sure everything is set up.

While I’m talking a text comes through. I glance at it, he is asking for my email address?

“Screw this,” I dial his number. It rings three times before he answers. “I’m not giving you my email address, why do you even want it?”

“Hello to you too, Slugger.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“You’re mad at me.”

“I’m not mad, I’m irritated, I don’t understand why you keep texting me.”

“Cos I like you.”

“Are you serious? You like me. You don’t know me. We were in the same room for fifteen minutes. We’ve texted a handful of times about inconsequential stuff, how can you possibly like me, Adam?”

“Admit it, you like me too.”

“I do not.”

“If that is how you really feel, why are you so mad right now?”

“What?”

He laughs. “Sorry,” he cuts himself off. “I don’t mean to laugh. Look, I’m gonna be in New York next week, can we meet? Can I explain?”

“No.”

“Slugger, come on.”

“Quit calling me that.”

There is a loud announcement over the Tanoy about a flight about to leave, naming two late passengers.

“You’re at the airport?”

“Not that it is any of your business but yes, I’m in an airport and I won’t be in New York next week, so I can’t meet you.”

“Where are you?”

I head over to a bench and sit down. “I’m in Chicago.”

“How come?”

“Why were you in LA?” I turn back on him.

He laughs. “Told you, work.”

“Me too.”

“Listen Slug…uh Jenna. I need to explain why I haven’t been in touch. I just… I like talking to you.”

“Do you have any idea how weird this is?”

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