‘Do let me know how you get on with a certain someone,’ Becky said.
Alex smiled weakly. ‘After all that, I’m not sure I’ll ever hear from him again,’ she replied. ‘If I were him, I’d have cut my losses and run.’
‘You never know,’ she replied. ‘Actually, do me a favour. Watch my stuff, I need to nip to the loo.’
She ran off, leaving Alex to stand with the bags. She felt like a porter… a porter who was also a master criminal, slipping past security and now able to move freely throughout the airport, undetect—
Bzz. Bzz.
Alex opened her phone.
Did you pack those bags yourself madam? Also, nice trainers.
Risking whiplash with the speed she turned around, Alex saw Aiden walking towards her.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, attempting to pick her jaw up off the floor. ‘I thought you’d be long gone.’
‘Oh, a certain someone texted me your flight time.’ He motioned towards Becky on her way back from the bathrooms.
‘Better run,’ she said, taking her trolley. ‘Gosh, what a surprise seeing you here, Aiden. Byeeee!’
Alex laughed as Becky made her exit.
‘You alright?’ he asked, looking at her face. She nodded. ‘Everything’s good. I think.’
‘So, I’m single now,’ he said. ‘You might be aware.’
‘Yeah, I heard,’ she replied, pointing to her face.
‘Damn! Tara?’
‘Who else? I’m surprised you got off so lightly.’
‘We talked things through. For a moment there, I did think I wasn’t going to make it to check out alive. But there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a few days now,’ he said tentatively. ‘And your answer might determine where we go from here.’
Alex felt her heart bungee. ‘OK. Shoot.’
‘Your dog that hates everyone. It isn’t a Chihuahua, is it?’
She laughed. ‘No, he’s a sausage dog. You’re safe.’
He exhaled. ‘Phew, good to know! And listen, I know that this whole thing is probably still a mindfuck for you, so there’s no pressure from me. I’m happy to take things slowly, or even—’
‘Fast,’ Alex requested, letting go of her case. ‘I’d like to take this fast.’
He grinned. ‘Yes, ma’am.’
As his hands held her face, Alex felt herself rise up in her old blue Skechers to meet his lips. Maybe she didn’t need those Louboutin shoes after all. Sure, it wasn’t quitel’amour dans un aéroport,she thought,but I’ll take it.
