“Okay, then. Thank you, Oliver. As always.” Before I can hang up, he jumps in again. “Any chance you’ve changed your mind about coming out east? We could put something on the books for early next year. We could get a lot done in a weekend.”
“I’ll think about it.” Which is precisely what I say every time. I’m not getting on an airplane. If I find enough time, I could drive or take a train. Until then, our virtual office works just fine. My phone buzzes with a notification. “I gotta go.”
“Bye.”
I hang up and open Aaron’s message.
Aaron
If I’m still invited, I’m coming home with you for Christmas.
“Yes,” I say aloud as I dance around my kitchen. He’s actually coming.
Aaron
Can I stop by tonight so we can make plans?
Me
Of course!
Aaron
Be there in 20. Coming from Matthias’s
I don’t know what Matthias did to convince him to come home with me, but I owe that guy a gift.
CHAPTER 20
AARON
“You good?” Oliver asks when I open my front door.
No, absolutely not. I’ve already changed my mind about going fifteen times this morning. And it’s only seven. Except, I can’t do that to him. Not when he’s told his family that I’m coming. Not when he’s so excited about our road trip together. I don’t want to go, but, more than that, I don’t want to let Oliver down.
“All set.”
“Need help with your bags?”
“Nope.” I sling my duffel bag over my shoulder and grab the tote bag stuffed with drinks and snacks for the drive.
“Is that it?” Oliver looks inside my condo as though he might be missing a steamer trunk.
“It’s only a few days.” How much stuff could I possibly need? “Was there something special you were hoping I’d bring?”
“I guess not.” He seems surprised rather than disappointed, so I let it go and follow him out to his car. When he opensthe trunk, I gasp. There are three bags—not small, either. What could he possibly have packed in there?
“How long are you staying again?” Maybe I missed something in our discussion. I know he’s cutting his trip short so that he can get me back in time for my next shift. Usually, he’d have gone home for at least a week, enjoying time with his siblings and parents—one significant advantage of working virtually. There’s not much I can do for my job without being there in person. Until the robots manage to evolve to do my job, my only option is to be on-site.
“Three days, same as you.”
“And you said that your family doesn’t do presents, right?”
“Only for the kids and my parents have those covered.” He pushes his suitcase aside to make room for my bag. “I’m high maintenance.” His face turns a bright shade of purple. That’s not exactly how I would’ve described him yesterday, but now I’m not so sure. I’m more than a little curious as to what he might have stuffed into those bags.
“Let’s say I did have more stuff, where exactly would we put it?” He closes the trunk before I can gesture toward the complete lack of space.
“The backseat is empty. Mostly.”
