Page 85 of Scandalized

When the door closes, I fall back against it, staring down the short hallway to the bedrooms, debating whether I should feed myself or just go right back to bed. My stomach growls, making the decision for me. When I finally reheat the leftovers I’d stowed back in the fridge, I can’t get them in my face fast enough. I am famished.

Teeth brushed, with Alec’s dress shirt and my favorite underwear on for pajamas, I’m sitting in front of the television trying to process the insanity of this weekend, and as soon as I am able to calm my mind for the first time in days, I realize… I don’t know how I’m going to handle being away from Alec. The thought loops in my mind every few minutes: You squandered two whole days. And now I have no idea when I’ll see him next.

I know it’s useless because he’s on a plane over the Atlantic, but I text him anyway.

I miss you.

I put the Batphone down, but it immediately vibrates on the couch next to me. Startled, I pick it up. Alec has replied.

God, I miss you, too.

A delighted laugh breaks free. Right. It had never occurred to me to text him earlier, that some people actually spring for the Wi-Fi on planes. I didn’t know you called me this weekend.

Yes, outside your apartment this morning I realized you had no idea that I’d been calling, and calling.…

Are you almost home?

Not really. Hours away still.

How’s the flight?

More importantly, how are you?

I’m better. I listened to your voicemail.

And? he asks.

My heart feels ten sizes too big for my body. A heart this big could pump an ocean of blood. AND I really wish I’d taken the Batphone to my parents’ place.

Well, I think you know I agree.

That last phone call really messed me up.

I know. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.

I close my eyes, fighting these omnipresent tears. Finally, I get them under control. I wish you hadn’t left this morning.

What do you wish I’d done instead? he replies.

I bite back my smile as I type. I wish I’d invited you in.

I told you if I came in, I wouldn’t want to leave.

If you came in now, I wouldn’t LET you leave.

I nearly jump out of my own skin when the doorbell rings barely two seconds after I’ve hit send. For a fraction of a second, I consider putting pants on but… awareness comes at me sideways, making me unsteady as I stand and walk to the door.

With a shaking hand, I pull it open to find Alec, clean-shaven, hair combed off his forehead, in a gray button-down shirt and dress pants and holding a wilted bouquet of flowers. “I’ve been carrying these around for a few hours,” he explains. “Sunny wouldn’t let me come over sooner, and you wouldn’t come out for dinner.”

I make a muffled sound of shock from behind the hand I’ve clapped over my mouth. He’s been here this whole time. Of course. Alec wouldn’t leave for London if Sunny was headed to LA. Sunny wouldn’t come to LA if Alec was headed to London.

And Yael would never leave either of them hanging like that.

Can you imagine if our planes actually crossed paths midair? He would never stop lecturing me.

“You were never on the plane!”

“I— Whoa,” he says, immediately distracted by my outfit. “What are you—”