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About half of our group chose to hike down as opposed to taking the train, and by the time we make it to the bottom of the mountain, those who took the train have already taken a bus back to the hotel in Cusco City. I realize David and I never exchanged numbers and I don’t even know which hotel room he’s in. I really should’ve kept one of those ridiculous business cards I made for him.

As the rest of us wait for the next bus, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. And I hate that after this amazing trip, this is the feeling I’m left with. I force a smile on my face, hoping it’ll make the rest of me feel better too, but it doesn’t.

I sit by myself on the bus back to our hotel and make my way quickly to my room after grabbing the luggage they stored for me at the front desk. I’m tired from the trip and, oddly enough, I’m dreading sleeping alone tonight. I know David and I weren’t sleeping together, but it was still comforting to have him there. Dependable, organized, steady David. He made me feel… secure, somehow. Like if my flaky brain forgot something or slept in too late, he’d have my back and keep me on track.

I’ve slept alone for twenty-eight years, but after four nights next to David, it seems pretty lonesome to do it again tonight.

On my way up to the room, I hope I might run into him and we can hang out or grab dinner, but I don’t. When I make it to my hotel room, I fall face first into the mattress with a groan. I wish Mo was here; at least he’d keep me company.

Early the next morning, I pack up my belongings and head downstairs to check out and wait for the hotel shuttle to take me to the airport. The airline tickets were booked separately from our hiking excursion, so not everyone in our group has the same flights.

After I check out, I see a well-dressed man with perfect posture waiting in front of the hotel where the shuttles stop. I know it’s David right away, not because of how amazing his butt looks in those khaki pants, but from the way he holds himself and how he keeps looking at the watch on his wrist. I smile and walk toward him. When he hears my footsteps and looks up, he smiles and my heartbeat starts salsa dancing inside my chest.

His hair is once again combed neatly with a little product to keep it in place. His dark glasses are polished, and he’s back in his business casual attire complete with leather oxfords and a royal blue polo that brings out his brilliant eyes.

He looks good, really good. But a little part of me will miss the mussed hair, casual David that I got to see during our trek.

“Good morning.”

He seems more relaxed today than he did last time I saw him, right before he boarded the mountain train.

“Good morning. You didn’t miss me too much last night, did you?” He teases.

I bump his shoulder playfully with my own. “Please. I had so much room to sprawl out and sleep like a starfish. It was awesome,” I lie, but say it in a sarcastic tone so he doesn’t know how much I actually missed him.

He laughs. “What time does your flight leave?”

“10:45, Delta. You?”

“10:00, United.” He sets the backpack he was holding next to his suitcase and sticks his hand in his pocket before pulling out what looks like a business card.

He hands it to me and our fingers brush when I take it from him. My breath hitches at the small contact, and goosebumps trickle down my arms.

Looking down, I study the card to steady myself. “Still using the boring business cards instead of the ones I made for you?”

“I shredded those. Comic Sans is an abomination,” he says with conviction before the tiniest smile quirks the edge of his mouth. “My cell number is there. You know, for the llama photos you’re going to send me.” A shuttle pulls up in front of us, David grabs his luggage and hesitates for a second. “Well, I’ll see you back in Kansas?”

I nod and tuck his business card into my purse. “See you in Kansas.”

He opens the door of the shuttle that has the hotel’s name on the side and gets inside. He waves before closing the door, and then the van drives away. I feel my eyes prickle with unwanted tears and I close my eyes to keep them at bay. When I open them again, I watch his shuttle until it disappears down the street.

“Isabella!” A voice calls from behind me, pulling me from my David-induced stupor. I turn and see Hannah and Anthony at the check out desk. I smile and head in their direction, not needing to leave for the airport quite yet.

Hannah meets me halfway and pulls me into a big hug. I lean into her embrace, feeling comforted after saying a strange goodbye to David and not knowing where we stand.

“I’m so glad we caught you before you left. I wanted to say goodbye,” Hannah tells me, leaning back to look at me.

Anthony gives me a side hug. “Thanks for sharing a tent with David so I could sleep with my wife.”

“Anthony!” Hannah smacks his shoulder, making him laugh.

“You’re welcome. I got your back,” I tell him. “I’m expecting a baby announcement by Christmas though.”

I wink and Hannah squeals in delight. “Oh goodness, Anthony! Wouldn’t that be a fun surprise! A little Machu Picchu baby!” Anthony puts an arm around his wife and pats her shoulder like he’s trying to calm her down.

“I’m so glad we met during this trip,” Hannah says, sombering instantly. “I wish we lived closer so we could hang out. But at least you have David.” She smiles.

“Yeah, keep us posted on the David situation,” Anthony grins.