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Naturally, she texts back immediately. I don't think she ever sleeps. She's worried about me, wants to make sure everything is okay. I feel horrible for lying to her, but I can't tell her the truth.I fell in love with the photographer and now I'm too afraid to face himdoesn't roll off the tongue. Besides, sleeping with Sage wasn't particularly professional. I don't want it to reflect badly on her, Le CRV, or any of the other winners. They deserve nothing but admiration for everything they do.
Once I reassure her that everything is fine, I take the fastest shower I've ever taken and then throw all of my things into my bag. I still have hours before I have to be at the airport, but I check out of the hotel and catch a cab anyway. The city is just starting to wake up as we creep toward La Guardia in Queens. It all passes by in a blur for me.
Eventually, the cabbie gives up trying to make polite conversation and we make the drive in total silence. After a chaotic day, silence has always been a welcome companion. Today, it seems loud, abrasive. I want Sage's gruff, rumbling voice back. I want the sound of his heart beating beneath my ear. I want to hear him muttering gibberish in his sleep. I want him.
For the first time ever, I dread going back to work. Everyone will want to know how it went or what I did. They'll have a million questions about what it's like to work with Sage. I won't be able to hide it once the photos come out. Le CRV will hype his involvement because nothing sends magazines flying of the shelf faster than attaching his name to a project.
God, what am I supposed to say to Georgia?
I spent an amazing night with your uncle and fell in love with him, but please don't ever mention his name because I might crumble if you do?
She'll just love hearing that.
"We're here, lady," the cabbie says, claiming my attention.
I look up through bleary eyes, blinking when I realize we're outside of the airport, blocking other cars from pulling into the loading zone. A police officer is scowling at the cab as if he's telling us to hurry it up before he boots us out of the line.
"Sorry." I quickly grab a handful of bills out of my purse to cover the fare and tip and then climb out with my bags. Since the trip was so short, I didn't bring much with me.
The officer loses interest as soon as my driver puts the car in drive.
By the time I make it through security, I'm even more stressed out and exhausted. The airport is a mess of activity like usual. Every seat at my gate is already taken by passengers on the flight leaving in an hour. I find a seat at the adjoining gate and plop down, staring out at the tarmac.
I don't know how long I stare out, caught in my own mind and memories of last night. But when my phone buzzes with an incoming notification, the sun is up and shining brightly. I fish my cell from my pocket, shaking my head when I see a message from my brother, Gray.
Gray: Are you alive? Do I need to send search and rescue? You haven't answered my last eighty-four texts.
He's so overdramatic. I had two missed texts from him this morning, and one from our mom. I didn't text either of them back. Mom is still sleeping, and I figured Gray would be at practice by now. He has a home game tonight.
Me: You texted me twice.
Gray. Oh, good. You are alive. I'll cancel the bloodhounds.
I'm still typing a response when he calls.
"Did the photoshoot run over or something?" he asks as soon as I answer.
"No. I just didn't have my phone," I say, which is technically true. It was in my room all day…and I was in Sage's. I leave that part out. Some things, my brother doesn't need to know. And I don't want to cry in the airport. I can do that when I get home.
"You always have your phone. It's like your security blanket."
"You were the one with a security blanket, not me," I remind him.
"Do me a favor? Don't tell my super-hot wife that. She's already way out of my league."
"Yeah, she is," I say, smiling for the first time all day. Somehow, he always manages to make me feel better. Probably because he's completely crazy. But we can't all be normal, or the world would be boring, so I love him anyway. He's the best brother.
"You're supposed to be on my side," he complains. "But I'll let this one slide since I'm on her side too. Are you at the airport?"
"Yeah, just waiting on my flight."
"You're there early. Your flight doesn't leave for another four hours."
"It got moved up," I lie.
"No, it didn't. I checked ten minutes ago."
Crap.
