Page 52 of Right Number

“No.” I dabbed at my eyes a little more trying to stop the tears. “I just got the message.” I took a deep breath and began to feel more in control of myself. “He picked work over me—over us meeting. This is why I was so afraid to do this. Everything is so much harder when you’re far apart.”

“Call him. Get the full story. It’s not necessarily because you’re far apart,” Sarah said gently.

“It might not be, but if he was here, there wouldn’t be a multi-hour flight to contend with. If he had to stay late at work, and he was here, it wouldn’t involve so much,” I argued back.

Sarah patted me reassuringly on the arm. “Call him, Anna. You really need to talk to him.”

“You’re right.” I sighed as I walked over to the kitchen table and sat down in one of the chairs.

I stared at my phone for a few moments before pushing Mason’s name to initiate the call. It rang several times and, just when I thought the call was going to go to voicemail, Mason answered. “Anna!” His voice was breathless like he’d run to the phone.

“Hi, Mason. I got your message.” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but it was almost impossible to completely mask my emotions.

“I’m so sorry,” he said quickly. “I planned to come in for just a little while, but an emergency came up and I’m trying to get it fixed. You got the message I switched my flight. I still have an hour until I need to leave in order to make it.”

“Are you actually leaving in the next hour?” I blurted. I couldn’t help it. I really wanted to believe him. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t completely shake the nagging feeling he wasn’t coming…that maybe he’d changed his mind. Maybe all of those lingering fears in the back of my brain were actually warnings.

“Yes, of course I am!” Mason sounded shocked. I heard him take in a deep breath from the other end of the phone and his voice softened. “Anna, I’m sorry. I can tell by your voice that you’re upset. I promise I’ll make it up to you. Trust me, this is not how I wanted our first meeting to go either.”

The tears were back and I had to bite my bottom lip to keep them from falling. I didn’t want to cry over the phone, especially when there was nothing that could be done. Mason had already changed the flight and the dinner we’d planned together wasn’t going to happen. I drew in a shaky breath. “OK,” I said quietly. “Can you please let me know when you’re on your way to the airport?”

I was met by silence on the other end of the phone. Finally, Mason spoke up. “Anna, what’s going on?”

I looked up at the ceiling as I tried to formulate the words to explain exactly how I was feeling. “I...I just...I’m really disappointed, Mason. Today is a really big deal and....this just isn’t how I saw it going.” I drew in another shaky breath. “Just get here please. I really need you to be here tonight.” Saying that made me feel more vulnerable than I thought possible. It bothered me to think he might not feel the same, or understand what a big deal it was.

Mason let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, Anna. I’ll be there. I promise. I need to go now though. I have to get some more done here before I leave and I only have an hour.”

“Bye, Mason,” I said quickly and hung up the phone before he could say anything else.

“That didn’t sound like it went well,” Sarah said as she walked out of the kitchen and over to where I was seated at the table.

A big sob escaped my lips as the tears started to flow down my face. “I don’t think it did,” I choked out. Sarah wordlessly wrapped me up in a big hug. I cried into her shoulder. “I’m starting to think I made a huge mistake believing this could work. I mean, this is the first time we’re trying to meet and it’s already all fucked up.”

Sarah held me tight. “Oh, honey. Don’t count it as over yet. He’ll still be here for the show and then he’s staying for a few days. You guys can work this out when he’s here.”

I pulled away from Sarah and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

“Why don’t you go lie down and take a nap? You have plenty of time now, and I think it would do you some good. I’ll call and cancel the dinner reservation for you.”

Sarah was right. Cuddling up in my bed and taking a nap sounded like an excellent idea. I felt drained and my chest was tight. I nodded my head. “Thank you. That does sound good.” Sarah smiled as I grabbed my phone off the table and walked back to my room.

Once I was snuggled under my comforter, I realized Sarah was right about more than just the nap. It wasn’t over yet. Mason and I were going to have a few days together to get everything sorted out. I wrapped the blankets tightly around me as I felt my eyes grow heavy. Everything would be fine as soon as he arrived. He would be there. Even if he was missing dinner, he’d still be at the Spring Art Show.

WHEN MY EYES FINALLY fluttered open, I immediately realized I felt much better. I had no idea how long I’d been asleep and reached for my phone to check the time. I guessed at least a few hours had passed, which would mean Mason was on his flight and getting closer to arriving. I was surprised when I looked at my phone and there were several missed calls and texts—all from Mason. I swiped open the text messages as my heart pounded and my breath shook.

“Leaving work now. A couple of minutes late, but don’t worry, shouldn’t be a problem. Excited to see you!”

“Shit. More traffic on the freeway than normal. It’s barely moving, but I’m still going to make it.”

“Fucking shit, Anna. There’s a big accident. Traffic is completely stopped and backed up for miles. Trying to call you. Please call me back.”

“I’m so sorry, Anna. I’m still stuck in traffic. It’s not moving and I’ve missed my flight. Trying to see if there is another one. Please call me.”

“Please call me or respond. That was the last flight out today. There’s nothing else until tomorrow. I’m so sorry, Anna.” I felt my stomach clench and I was certain I’d be sick as I read the last message.

He wasn’t coming.

Exactly why it was a bad idea to try to take things further. Exactly why I was so scared to make the leap. Now that I’d made it, everything felt like it was blowing up in my face.

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