Chapter Ten
Fernando and I arrive back at the airport around five and pick up our luggage from storage and get our rental car.
“Is this right?” I blink a few times as we approach a two-door Smart car that’s less than half the size of my truck back home. “The guy said we were getting a compact car, but this looks like a toy. Can you even fit in the driver’s seat?”
“We’re supposed to have a model with four doors, not two,” Fernando says flatly, squinting at the rental agreement in his hand. “I agree, thisis too small. Wait here. I’ll see if I can get this sorted out.” He drops his duffle bag from his shoulder, leaving me in charge of it, along with my backpack and our three rolling bags.
“I don’t think the trunk will fit even one of our suitcases,” I say to myself. The back of the car looks like it’s pressed completely flat and can only hold two or three grocery bags at most.
Knowing there’s nothing I can do until Fernando is back, I flip my rolling suitcase over, sit on top of it, and pull out my phone, taking advantage of the airport’s Wi-Fi. Opening my email, I start a message to Daphne.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Hello from Portugal
Hey Daph,
How is everything going back home? Just thought I’d shoot off a quick email to you to let you know I made it to Portugal.
No, you’re not reading this wrong. I’m not in Spain. Yet.
To make a long story short, my original flight was diverted, then canceled. Rebooking was a nightmare and a flight to Lisbon was the quickest way I could get over here.
I’ve spent most of today exploring Portugal’s capital city and having a blast. I’m already planning a return trip to this beautiful country. I’m attaching a couple pics as proof.
Can you please pass the message on to Mom and Dad that I made it here safely? I’ll call sometime midweek.
Give my love to everyone!
-Ava
Satisfied with what I’ve written, I select two of my favorite images Fernando snapped today—one of me blowing a kiss to the camera in front of the Praça do Comércio and another of me biting into a pastel de nata.
They’re both images I’d like to think show me happy and carefree. I want my family to see that there’s nothing to worry about. Which is also why I choose not to say anything about Fernando.
If Daphne knew... well, my phone would be blowing up with concerned calls and messages. As much as I appreciate her fussing over me, there’s no risk of suffering a broken heart with Fernando. We’re just friends. Nothing more.
Although if hewasever in the market for a girlfriend—wait, no. What am I even thinking? I scrub my eyes with my hands. I don’t need nor do I want a boyfriend. Come on, brain. Get with the program. This trip is about taking a vacation from men and all things related to romance.
I hear footsteps approaching. As I lift my head, I spy Fernando.The muscles in his forehead are knitted into a deep V. He’s shoved his hands into his pockets, and his shoulders are hunched.
“Bad news?” I ask.
“Yes,” he grumbles. “The rental company overbooked all their standard cars and gave ours away to a family with a reservation.”
“Can they do that? We already paid.”
“Apparently it’s in the contract.”
I take a deep breath. “Is there a way we could upgrade to an SUV? Truck?”
“Believe me, I asked. All that’s left are Smart cars unless you’d rather we take a Vespa.”
“Not especially.” I stand and brush off my butt and knees. “What about another rental car company? Do you think...”
I stop when I see him shaking his head. “All the counters closed at five. We’re out of luck and out of options.”
