Accidental Tryst (Charleston #1)(59)

I splashed water on my face and dried my hands and face with a paper towel. Unlocking the door, I saw the lady from the security desk. "Your cab's here," she said.

"Sorry. It's always emotional saying goodbye to David." Giving her a smile, I thanked her and grabbed my wheelie bag, heading out to the cab. Climbing in, I hunted around in my purse for my charging cord. Shit. Where was it? I glanced at Trystan's phone. Ten percent. Then I had a vision of the cord I'd plugged in in the hotel room. Dammit. Looking up Armand's number at the cafe, I dialed. It rang and rang. Annoyed again that I hadn't memorized any of my friend's cell phone numbers, I let out a long annoyed sigh and leaned back against the seat.



* * *



"You again," Phillip said at the information desk on the airport concourse. "Still no phone, I see."

I held Trystan's phone up. "It's dead."

"Buy a new charger."

"I have. Can you please do me a favor?"

"It depends."

"I need information. You provide that, don't you?"

Phillip released a long-suffering sigh. "I do."

"I'd like you to look up the number for Indigo Café in Charleston, and then I'd like to use your phone to dial that number."

Phillip stared at me, un-reacting. "That's got nothing to do with your flight or airport information," he said.

Without breaking his stare, I reached into my purse and grabbed one of my last remaining five-dollar bills and held it out between two fingers. "It's all I have," I whispered, staring him down. "And that information has everything to do with me flying home today."

I assumed he wasn't supposed to take money for information, so my action broke him, and he quickly glanced both ways before his hand darted out and nabbed the money so fast I barely felt it leave my fingers. I was aghast. "Train on the streets, did you?"

"You have no idea," he muttered and typed quickly into his computer. He read off the address to confirm it was the right place and then dialed the number and handed me the phone.

"Armand?" I said as soon as he answered.

"Emmy?"

"Yes. Listen, I'm coming home today. I wasn't going to because something happened with David. And then, well, anyway with Trystan renting my place tonight, I just . . . can I stay with you? Or can you call Annie since I don't have her number with me and ask her?" It all came out in a big long rush.

"Si, Si. Are you okay?"

"I'm okay. Yes. No. It's . . . complicated. And please don't tell Trystan I'm coming home if you see him. Just . . . can I stay with you?"

"Of course, Emmy. The couch isn't great but—"

"I'll take it. Thank you, Armand. You're a good friend."

"A good friend who you better give all the Trystan details to later. Because that man is fine!"

"Armand," I whined.

"Deal or no deal."

"Fine, deal. I'll grab a cab to your place. I'll get in around seven, I hope. I'm on standby. And we can still go dancing."

"Perfecto, Emmy. See you then."

"See you." I hung up and slumped against the information desk in relief.

"You know?" Phillip's voice cut in. "I see and hear a lot of weird shit every day with all these people passing through. But Emmy, I have to say, your situation intrigues me."

I looked up at him.

"Don't get me wrong"—he put both his palms up—"not enough to ask you about it. And please, don't share. But nonetheless."

I laughed and shook my head. "You're a character, Phillip."

"So I've been told. Bye, Emmy."

"Bye, Phillip."

The gate attendant said I was first in line on standby so she was pretty sure I'd get on the next flight. I didn't dare move from the gate while I waited. And even though I'd bought a new charger, I perversely didn't plug in the phone. This way I couldn't communicate with Trystan while I decided if I was going to tell him I was coming back or not. I needed more time to think it through.





28





Trystan





Beau, Robert, and I walk through the student housing cafeteria. We've been given a tour of the halls we built that are currently leased by The College of Charleston, and they seem in good shape. Well-lit, freshly painted, clean. Students sit around in groups or dart here and there, late for afternoon class.

I wonder if Emmy went to college here. I never asked specifically, but in our long talk as we fell asleep last night, I thought I remembered her mentioning it. Checking my phone I see she hasn't contacted me in the last several hours. Not that she needs to. It's ridiculous how much I've grown to react to the vibration of a message that might be from her. To need it.

"Okay, well," Robert finally says. "I think that should do it for today. Are we seeing you for dinner?"

"You are. Beau already mentioned it." I nod at my cousin as he hands me a water.

"Great, then I'll leave you two here if you don't mind. Beau, you'll take Trystan by the office and introduce him around?"

"Will do."