Page 37 of Clear Shot

Because it would make both of us look bad to our friends.

Because I would die of jealousy.

I have no right to be jealous but my heart and my brain don’t seem to be connecting on that point.

So I’m not sure what to do next.

I’m definitely not taking the job in San Jose if they offer it to me. It’s basically glorified tech support and that’s not what I want to do. There is room for advancement but probably not for a year or two and I don’t think I can sit in a call center for a year or more.

Once the plane is in the air, I log into the WiFi and open my texts. I have several, from my brother, Aiden, and Claudia.

JOHAN: You should stay in California. It looks like there is a hurricane coming. I’m at the airport with Sloane and Joanna, and we’re heading to Atlanta for a few days. Can you change your flight to meet us there?

CLAUDIA: Hey, where are you? Can you call me? Did you hear about the hurricane? Anders and I are packing, we’re going to spend a few days in Philly to avoid it. They’re projecting a category five, which scares the shit out of me. Call me!

Hurricane? How did I not hear about this?

AIDEN: I tried to call but it went right to voice mail so I hope you get this before you get on your flight home. If you can, divert somewhere because this hurricane is looking wild.

What. The. Fuck.

We don’t have hurricanes in Slovakia and we didn’t have them in Philly or Boston either. There were lots of other kinds of storms but hurricanes and tornadoes terrify me, so this doesn’t sound like something I want to experience.

The problem is that I’m already on the plane.

HANA: I’m already on the flight and it’s nonstop.

AIDEN: Shit. Well, I’ll pick you up at the airport but I don’t know if we’ll be able to get on any flights by the time you arrive.

HANA: What will we do? Can we drive?

AIDEN: Traffic is hellacious. I think we’re going to have to ride it out.

HANA: What does that mean? We’re going to stay in Lauderdale during the hurricane?

AIDEN: I’ll get to the airport early and see if I can book us on anything leaving after you arrive—send me your flight info.

I quickly take a screen shot of my boarding pass and text it to him.

HANA: Let me know what happens. But honestly, if you can get on a flight, go without me. I’ll stay at the airport and figure something out.

AIDEN: You’re kidding, right? I’m not going to leave you behind.

HANA: Thank you. I really appreciate you.

AIDEN: You’re my wife. Maybe it’s in name only but I’m never going to abandon you when the chips are down. You should know that about me.

And I do.

That’s the part that makes this so difficult.

There’s a reason I’ve always harbored a crush on him—I just thought it was safer not to act on it because bad boys with tattoos that ride motorcycles and don’t believe in love tend to be my downfall.

HANA: I’ll see you in four-and-a-half hours.

AIDEN: I’ll be waiting.

I close the phone and stare at the video screen in front of me, but I’m not interested in watching movies.