Page 26 of F Buddy

“No. If I were seeing someone and they didn’t see just how much something like this meant, I’d dump them in a heartbeat. Honestly, I’m not the relationship type, though I’d be more than up for a little fun, anytime.”

She said that last bit with a sideways glance at me and a coy smile. I watched her a moment before turning away. She didn’t sound all that different from me, and if I hadn't been so worried about Scarlett, I might have even looked forward to the trip a little. Abigail was attractive, tall and curvy, a woman that carried herself with confidence, and was interesting to watch in a boardroom. I was a little surprised that she and I hadn't tried anything before.

I opened my mouth to speak when my roaming eyes landed on just the person I wanted to see. She was rushing through the airport, looking around, someone rushing behind her. I was on my feet the second she was in my sights, hand raised, and waved her over. She caught sight of me, relief spreading over her features, followed by a smile that immediately set me right.

“Zach, hey,” she called when she was near enough. “Sorry I’m so late, there was some traffic.”

I ignored the apology—we were in New York after all, there’s always traffic—and opened my arms to her. She didn’t hesitate to throw her arms around my neck in a hug, and something tight in my chest I hadn't noticed before relaxed as she did. When I pulled back, I looked at her, our faces a tad too close.

“I was so worried you wouldn’t make it,” I murmured, slowly releasing her. I’d like to think I wasn’t just imagining that she didn’t want to let go of me either, even as she pulled away and stepped back.

“Like I would miss saying goodbye to you,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sure everybody else will be pissed they missed it. Especially Sasha and Donny.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “I can just picture it. It’s why I didn’t invite them. They’d have just embarrassed me if they’d been here.”

And besides, there wasn’t anyone I wanted to say goodbye to face to face as badly as I did to Scarlett. After how she’d sounded when I’d called her, I’d thought she’d be just fine with me gone, but looking at her, in the flesh… I realized the news had hit her at least a little hard. Granted, both times recently when I’d seen her, she’d been dressed formally and prepared for a party. This was nothing even close to that.

She was dressed in what looked like an old pair of cotton jeans, a T-shirt with a jacket thrown over it, and Converse shoes. Her hair looked to be in more disarray than usual, and her eyes were duller than I remembered. I felt like a dick for wishing she were more upset about the whole thing.

“I am so sorry, Scarlett,” I murmured, and suddenly I was the one upset. “I swear I knew absolutely nothing about this trip before I was called and told I was a replacement. I would have said no—”

“Don’t be stupid,” she said, cutting me off. “It’s your job. Your career and your future. It’s a good opportunity, isn’t it?”

“Well…” In a way, she wasn’t wrong.

“Then there’s nothing wrong. Like I already told you before.”

I tightened my lips but didn’t argue with her. Instead, I brought her in for another hug and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“I don’t know what my schedule will be yet, but I promise to Skype you as often as I can. The time difference will be a little awkward, but…”

She smiled up at me and patted my chest. “I’ve already told you, there’s no need to worry about it. I’m sure everything will be fine,” she said, trying to be optimistic.

“I’m sure they will be, too,” someone added.

I looked back to glare at Abigail for butting into the conversation. Scarlett’s eyes rolled over the other woman, and I could tell something like anger was growing over her face.

“Who’s this?” she asked, voice sharper than before.

Abigail must have caught it, but she just moved closer with her arm outstretched for a handshake. After some hesitation, Scarlett shook her hand.

“My name is Abigail, Zach’s colleague. We’re both being sent to Tokyo for the trip.”

“Is that so?” she murmured, looking at me.

“I didn’t find out myself until yesterday,” I explained. “That’s why I didn’t tell you about it, and I’m sorry.

“You don’t have to worry about your boyfriend,” Abigail said, butting in again. “I promise I’ll look after him for you if it would make you feel better.”

A small smile played on her lips, and I frowned at her. What she was saying sounded a little weird to me. When I looked to Scarlett, she had her eyes narrowed, and I wondered what was passing between the two women that I was unaware of.

Before I could ask, there was an announcement. I barely paid attention, so Abigail was the one to pat me on the arm to get my attention.

“That’s our flight,” she said, aiming the answer at everyone. “We need to go now, Zach, we still have to get through security and hope we don’t miss the flight.”

No. I didn’t get enough time. I wanted to stand there and talk to Scarlett some more. But as we stood facing each other, and our eyes met, I couldn’t get a word out. Because there was too much I wanted to say and not enough time for it. I sighed and glanced over to where Abigail was collecting our things.

“I’m sorry, Scarlett,” I said sincerely. “I’m going to have to go.”