Page 87 of Long Story Short

TYSON

JOSIE

I just landed. Are you back in the Hamptons too?

I reread Josie’s text, my chest tightening at seeing her name on my screen.

It’s been a week since she stood in the kitchen with me, eating breakfast and drinking her coffee, and I’ve missed the normalcy with her. I understand why she stayed in Manhattan longer than she expected—her grandfather was acting like he wasn’t feeling well, so she wanted to stay with him to make sure everything was okay—but today, she’s finally coming back, and I can’t wait to see her.

TYSON

Flew in last night.

Can’t wait to see you…

I leave out the fact that I found a pilot who wasn’t mine to fly me back to the Hamptons late last night because I wanted to be here when Josie finally arrived. She’d mentioned that her grandfather was kicking her out of his house and was done with her hovering over him, so I pulled some strings to come back sooner.

And it’s finally happening.

Over the last week, we’ve constantly kept in touch. Between texts and phone calls, we were talking most of the time, but none of it compares to seeing her in person.

And I’m so ready to see her again. Hold her. Kiss her.

TYSON

Do you need me to pick you up?

JOSIE

No, Pop scheduled a driver to pick me up from the airport. Can you tell he was ready to get rid of me?

TYSON

Can you tell I’m ready to have you back?

I stare at the text, wondering if I should send it or not. My thumb hovers over the screen as I try to think through whether the text is too much.

After thinking about it for a few moments, I send it, wanting to be honest with her. Even though I’ve also had to unexpectedly travel in the last week for work, I still only ever wanted to be with her.

I missed her. And I’m more than ready to see her again.

My phone vibrates in my hand, pulling my attention back to the screen.

JOSIE

Good

I let out a slow breath of relief. I can’t help but smile at her text, relieved by her response.

My phone vibrates again.

JOSIE

I’ll be there soon…

Soon.

I glance toward the front windows, like I can somehow see her already. Like if I stare long enough, she might just appear.