Desperate to keep her mind occupied until the six p.m. departure, she stored her suitcases and signed up for a bike tour of Los Angeles. What she thought would simply be a way to occupy her time turned out to be fun and fascinating, and included restaurant stops with the best tacos she’d ever eaten. The outing was great, except for when she was missing Finn… which was all the time. She kept thinking how much Finn would’ve loved it, since he liked every kind of outdoor sport and eating. Maybe she would add a postscript to her letter and recommend it for the next time he was in LA.
Back at Union Station, she turned her phone on to read a book when about fifty text messages showed up from Finn. She scanned the last few, which essentially said, The least you could do is let me know you’re alive. Call me!
A wave of guilt crushed her. She should’ve realized he would worry—he was a caring sort of man. Reasoning that by now he was on the plane bound for New York, she tapped out a message that would be waiting for him when he arrived.
I’m alive and well. Phone was off for a tour. Have a safe flight home.
She sat back, prepared to read a book on her phone until the train arrived, but her phone beeped with an incoming message.
Finn: What tour?
Should she ignore it? She wasn’t ready for a deep conversation. But what could it hurt to talk about the tour?
Laurie: Sightseeing and Tacos Bike Tour. It was awesome.
A few seconds later, another message came.
Finn: Can’t believe you didn’t invite me!
She smiled, forgetting for a moment how strained their relationship was.
Laurie: You snooze, you lose. I left early.
Then she realized he should be in the air right now.
Laurie: You already in NYC?
This time there was a long delay before her phone beeped again.
Finn: Problem with flight schedule. Still in LA. When does your train leave?
That was a dangerous question. She didn’t want him coming to Union Station.
Laurie: Soon
Finn: We need to talk…
Her heart rate skyrocketed. Talking was exactly what she wanted to avoid.
Laurie: Not necessary. All good.
Finn: Need to clear some things up. Call me. Please!
Thank goodness, he wasn’t there. Even via text, she could picture his face, heart-stopping blue eyes imploring, impossible to resist. How could she put him off? By making him laugh…
Laurie: Watch me running up twenty flights of stairs to avoid talking. Will email tonight.
Finn: LOL. Can I ask you one question? Hypothetical, only?
She almost typed no, but then she reconsidered. She could address his question in the email she planned to write tonight.
Laurie: One question. But may not answer right away.
Finn: You drive a hard bargain, don’t you?
Laurie chuckled, quickly responding, Surprising question. Answer is YES.
A few seconds later she got a motion emoticon, shooting himself in the foot.
Laurie: Ha ha ha ha!
Finn: That didn’t count. Real question… If you were in love with someone, how would you let them know?
Her throat felt like she’d swallowed a baseball. Why would he even ask that question? Did he want to torture her?
Laurie: Deep question. Don’t know the answer. Ask Branson.
Finn: Already asked him. Want to know his answer?
She could’ve said no and ended the conversation, but her curiosity got the better of her.
Laurie: Yes
The next message was delayed several minutes, as if he was making her wait for the answer.
Finn: Bran said he made hot tea for Steph when she was sick. Now brings her coffee every morning.
Laurie: True. Saw him do it.
