Phone him? Text him?
To say what?
She could maybe say she was looking forward to seeing him on Wednesday.
She pulled her phone out of her bag. Oh. Text from Dina.Dina. Gaah. Last night.Guilt.
Hey, how’s your weekend been? I’ve had a great time visiting Amy. Just got out of bed. Hooked up with one of her college professors last night!!!! How bad is that??? GREAT night though :)
Wow. So great news that Dina had hooked up with someone. Fantastic news. But, oh, God,Cassie had slept with James last night and he had just told her he loved her.
Ow.Ow. Woah. End of the travelator.
Cassie managed to save herself from what felt like possible death or a broken ankle at the very least by grabbing the nearest person.
‘Are you alright?’ The lipsticked, shoulder-padded woman looked pointedly at Cassie’s hand scrunching her suit sleeve.
‘I’m fine. Thank you.’ Cassie wiggled her ankle – again,ow– let go of the woman and bent down to pick up her bag and all the things that had fallen out of it.
Right. Sorted. Hopefully she hadn’t actually sprained her ankle.
There was a lesson there. Never read texts on a travelator.
It looked like she had a couple of minutes before her row was going to be called to board. She had to call James.
‘Hi.’ He was smiling. She could hear it in his voice.
‘Hello.’ Oh, for God’s sake. No words. She should have thought this through before she called. Say something. ‘I’ve had a great weekend. I’m really looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday.’
‘Me too.’
‘Okay. So bye then,’ she said.
‘Bye. Safe flight.’ Still that undertone of a smile. Gorgeous.
* * *
Meg was waving manically when Cassie got through the gates after sending a quick text to James to say that she’d arrived safely.
They were still mid-hug when she said, ‘Cassie Adair, you areglowing.’
‘Am I?’ Andthatwas a stupid way to have reacted. Of course she was glowing, though. Distracted, anyway. This afternoon the most gorgeous man in the world had told her he loved her. Clearly they had no future together, but she’d still spent the whole flight daydreaming. Not just about the L-word, either, but about all the sex.
‘Cassie, your eyes are practically glazing over.’
‘Big night last night,’ Cassie said. ‘Out with friends. I’m just tired.’
‘Hmm.’
Finally Cassie had a moment to herself. It had been great having dinner this evening with Meg, her husband, their friends; of course it had. She just really needed more time to process what had happened over the weekend.
She closed the loo door behind her and pulled out her phone. James had left a voicemail for her a couple of hours ago and shereallywanted to know what he’d said.
She had actual goosebumps as she heard his voice sayHi, Cassie. He’d just called to say hello. She was smiling just listening to him. Honestly. Moonstruck. She checked her watch. It was only quarter past eleven. He’d probably still be up. She could give him a quick call. Not from here, though, because anyone walking past might hear her. The garden would be best.
‘I’m just going to pop my head outside for some fresh air,’ she told the others on her way past the sitting room.
‘Good idea.’ Meg stood up. ‘I’ll join you.’ Bugger. Maybe Cassie would find a moment to call James tomorrow.
