Miles Between Us

By the time I dragged my thirty-inch suitcase to the airport, my palms were red and raw from the strain.

Three different groups of people came and went from the arrivals area.

I never saw Harry Berger.

I called him. It rang seven times before he finally answered. The first thing I heard through the phone was the sound of the air conditioner kicking on.

"I'm here. Which exit are you at?"

"We already left." Harry's tone was matter-of-fact. "Gemma got airsick and was feeling awful, so I brought her back to rest for a while."

Gemma Moyer's bright laughter came through the phone. "Maddison, you're so slow! But if you could handle twenty hours on a train in coach, I'm sure you can walk a little farther.

"Unlike me. My legs were practically giving out when I landed. Harry had to carry me."

Harry let out an exasperated laugh. "She's just joking around. Don't take it personally. Gemma wants to eat at that Mexican place on Winslow Boulevard. Just come straight here. We'll meet you there."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead. "Harry, my back hurts..."

Before I could finish, the call ended. The words about my aching back remained stuck in my throat.

On the way there, I thought my phone was vibrating several times. Every time I pulled it out, there was nothing but app notifications.

Forty minutes later, I dragged my suitcase into the Mexican restaurant.

Gemma came bouncing in. She smiled and hooked her arm through mine. "Maddison, it's been forever. I've missed you so much. It's all Harry's fault. He insisted on taking me home to rest first, so I missed you."

Harry followed behind her, shielding her from a server carrying a pot of hot chili. "Fine. Everything's my fault."

He looked at me and frowned. "How did you manage to make such a mess of yourself?"

He took my suitcase and used a napkin to wipe the sweat from my face. "You're a grown woman. How do you still not know how to take care of yourself?"

I turned my head slightly, avoiding his hand.

With a helpless sigh, he tossed the napkin into the trash. "What are you upset about now?"

Gemma teased, "It's obviously because she didn't get to see you. She's feeling neglected. You'd better pick up the tab today to make it up to Maddison."

Harry went along with it. "Fine. Order whatever you want."

Gemma immediately circled the spicy chili option twice on the menu. "Let's get the extra-spicy chili and an order of the loaded fries Maddison likes."

"I don't eat spicy food."