I’m sorry sweetie.
RYAN
So I won’t see you until the wedding?
KATE
I’m sorry.
But won’t that be more romantic anyway?
RYAN
I guess.
KATE
And Xander arrives today, right? You wouldn’t want me hanging around all the time.
Actually, what Iwantedwas to introduce my best friend to the person I’d be spending the rest of my life with. Guessed that’d have to wait until the wedding day too.
KATE
I really do think it’ll be romantic. A little break before we get married.
I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. Wasn’t it more romantic to want to actually spend time with the person you were in love with?
You’re being a dick,I told myself firmly.She can’t help it if she has to work.
My traitorous heart had an immediate comeback.Dom had to work too, but he was still here for you.
Sighing, I typed out a response.
RYAN
It’s fine.
Don’t worry babe.
KATE
I might not have much signal either.
So don’t panic if you don’t hear from me!
RYAN
Same goes when I’m with Frank. It’s the middle of nowhere where we’re going.
Something about Kate’s message struck me as odd, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. It was only much later, when I was driving to the airport to collect Xander, that the realisation came to me.
I wouldn’t have any signal because I was going to be in a rural area. Kate was going to be at her office in Manchester.
Why wouldn’t she have signal?
Just then, I pulled into the pick-up zone at terminal three and spotted a familiar figure. My chest tightened and my vision blurred at the sight of Xander. He was leaning on the handle of his suitcase, his feet crossed at his ankles. He hadn’t noticed me pull up, too busy scrolling through his phone. His hair was buzzed short, just as it had been during each of his leave visits.
He’d always come home for those. Always made sure to meet up with me.
