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“Are you okay, Liza?” Charles asked. “Why aren’t you on the plane?”
“Because Murphy’s Law decided today was my day.”
Charles frowned. “Oh dear. What does that mean?”
Maybe someday, many, many years from now, she could find the humor in this situation and get a few laughs out of the story, but today was not that day. “I got a later start than I wanted to, leaving for the airport. My suitcase broke.”
The pull bar on her suitcase had broken just as she was on her way out of the apartment, the whole thing sliding out completely, making it utterly useless. She’d considered saying fuck it and dealing with the broken bag, but it had been heavy—she’d overpacked—and too awkward to drag without the handle, so she’d decided to repack everything in a different case, which had taken some time.
“Then I got a flat on the highway.”
“Were you able to call someone for help?” Matt asked.
Liza scowled. “Why would I call someone? I’m perfectly capable of changing a tire.”
“That could have been dangerous,” Matt said, frowning.
She blew off his concerns. “My oldest brother, Bruno, is a mechanic. He’s also the one who taught me how to drive. He flat-out refused to put the key to the ignition in my hand until I learned how to change a tire, check the water and oil, and a few other things he insisted I had to know in order to be safe on the road.”
Charles smiled, clearly amused. “That’s a fine big brother you’ve got. Every teen should have such a good driving instructor. I must confess, I don’t have a clue how to change a tire. It’s why I belong to AAA.”
“Blasphemy,” Liza joked.
Matt wasn’t as amused. “Did you get the tire changed?”
She nodded. “Eventually. But one of the nuts was tight as shit and the ground was slick, thanks to the couple inches of snow we got last night.” She gestured to her ripped jeans. “I fell trying to loosen it and tore my jeans, skinned my knee.”
“Your knee is still dirty, Liza. You need to clean that up.” Matt was looking down at her injury.
“Yeah. I will when I get home.”
“I’m guessing all of this is leading up to you missing your flight,” Charles said.
She tapped her nose. “You got it in one. I got to the airport, checked my bags, but because the universe hates me, the security line was a hundred and fifty miles long. By the time I got through and ran to my gate, I could see the plane backing away from the terminal.”
“There wasn’t another flight?” Charles asked.
“The next available flight is the same time tomorrow, so I’ve lost a day in Hawaii and my luggage, torn my favorite jeans, I’m flying standby—which means I won’t get a wink of sleep all night worrying—and… Screw it.” She shrugged. “I’m going home and falling into a bottle of wine. Maybe two. Then I get to try all of this again tomorrow.”
Apparently, her tale of woe was boring Matt, who’d pulled his cellphone from his pocket to text.
She shot a dirty look at the top of his head, then turned her attention back to her boss. “I forgot my laptop yesterday, so, since I have plenty of time, I thought I’d swing by and grab it.”
Charles shook his head. “I told you not to work. It’s a vacation.”
She nodded, not bothering to argue. She was too depressed.
Charles placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Liza. I know how much you were looking forward to this trip. And while I know it sucks now, losing one day isn’t so bad. You’ll be on that beach drinking cocktails before you know it.”
If there was one thing she loved about her boss, it was his optimism. But right now, and for the first time ever, it was grating on her nerves. She wanted to treat herself to the pity party of the century, so the last thing she needed was someone trying to make her feel better.
“Thanks,” she muttered. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
If I ever get there, she silently added.
She was surprised when Matt followed her to the elevator, the doors sliding closed behind them. “Is your meeting over?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m finished for the day. Just needed to confer with Charles on one thing, and now, I’m on my way to the airport.”
