Hooked Read Free

catch?”
    “Oh, now you want me to leave?” I laugh.
    “Well, if you’re gonna make me cry, then yes!”
    Our laughter dies down and a sudden seriousness hits us. I hop off my stool and go to throw away both of our drink cups.
    “I really should get going,” I say when I turn back around.
    Ashley nods. I pull her into a tight embrace. “I am going to miss you so much.”
    “Me too,” she answers into my shoulder.
    After a few more minutes we break apart. Ashley walks with me to the security line. She gives me a quick hug and makes me promise to text her as soon as I land. I get in line and shuffle along after the other people. When it’s my turn, I give the TSA agent my ticket and ID. He ushers me forward, and I look back to give Ashley one final wave before I step forward to get scanned and finish the security process.
     
    ***
     
    The flight passes quickly and without too much trouble. I spent most of it cycling through different scenarios of how it will play out when I land and see Brandon again.
    There is always the classic ’run and jump into his arms’ scene that is a staple in romantic comedy flicks. But perhaps we’re more subtle, something like a long embrace and a sweet kiss. Or, maybe he will try to play it down for the paparazzi and we’ll just act like long-time friends rather than a couple—at least until we get to the car…hmmm…maybe that could work out after all.
    All my fantasy planning seems to have been in vain. I get off the plane but there is no sign of Brandon at the main gate. In all my excitement, I never checked my phone since turning it off for the flight. I power it up and make my way to the luggage area, thinking maybe he is meeting me there. When the screen flicks on there are two texts from him and a voicemail.
    Not a good sign.
    I stop walking and someone rams into me. I mumble an apology and step off to the side, along the wall, to check my messages.
    “I’m so sorry. I won’t be there to pick you up today. I got stuck in a meeting with my PR firm. I’ll be at the house when you get there. I promise. I’m sending a car for you. They will meet you at baggage claim. I love you!”
    And the second:
    “Can’t wait to see you!!! I have a surprise waiting for you!”
    I press the phone to my ear and listen to the voicemail which is basically the same thing he said in the texts. I frown and click off the phone before the message finishes. I stuff the phone back in my pocket and start walking again.
    It’s unbelievable to me that he won’t be here. I’m not sure if I am more angry or disappointed.
    I mean he wasn’t even planning on being in LA right now, so how could he have a meeting that’s so important he can’t get out of it to pick me up at the airport?
    For a minute, I’m tempted to text him back and say something snappy, but I take a deep breath and remind myself that he probably tried his best to get here. I know how much he wants to see me. As I stand at the luggage carousel, I scan back through previous texts in which he was going on and on about how much we miss each other. It’s slightly ridiculous to read back, and I find myself laughing at the more syrupy lines.
    There is a tap on my shoulder and I jump. I turn to see an older gentleman in a nice suit.
    “Ms. McAdams?” he asks.
    “Yes.” I realize he is probably the driver Brandon hired to pick me up.
    He holds out a hand for me to shake. “I’m Keith. Mr. Hart’s driver.”
    I shake his hand, wondering how in the world he knows who I am.
    As if sensing my confusion, he pulls up a picture of me on his cell phone. “He sent me this, so I’d be able to spot you,” he says. “And here is my card, if you want to call Mr. Hart to verify everything.”
    I nod. This is all so strange. I’ve never been picked up by a driver, and I don’t know the protocol. I take the card and give Keith a smile. “That won’t be necessary. Oh! There is one of my bags—one second,” I say, lunging