LeilaMy phone vibrated on the desk in my office for the third time. The first two calls had been from Kami. One call to ask if I got out of bed and the second to ask if I wanted to get dinner later. The woman woke up at four every morning and assumed the rest of the world did as well. She was usually very good about not calling me until at least six, but she’d broken her rule today.She had called me and woken me up on a morning I really, really didn’t want to be up early. The wine had left me feeling a little icky. I had planned to sleep in, but after the second phone call, I knew it was never going to happen. I stared at my phone, knowing it was her.I sighed, snatching it off the corner and instead of a huge cupcake that I used as Kami’s caller ID, it was Christopher’s number. “Oh no, I don’t think so,” I whispered.He didn’t get to have a change of heart. I had been hurt and felt miserable, but a night of wine and thinking led me to the conclusion he was right to end things. I di

ChristopherI parked in short-term parking and attempted to make my way to the doors but was turned away by police. That was when I noticed the flood of people pouring out every exit. Mothers were dragging little kids behind them; businessmen and women were rolling small suitcases as they all rushed in my direction.“What’s going on?” I asked one harried man.“Bomb.”“What?” I asked fear spiraling through me. I ran over to the security guard. “Can you tell me what’s happening?”“There’s been a bomb threat,” he said with no real concern. “It happens. I doubt it’s anything to worry about, but we have to evacuate and search the airport. All outgoing flights are grounded and inbound are being diverted.”“My son is in there!”“Sir, relax. There’s no reason to panic.”I took a deep breath. “I’m not panicking, but I need to find my son. Where do I go?”“Everyone waiting for a flight has been asked to go to the long-term parking. It’s a safe distance just in case.”“Just in case!” I practical

LeilaI was hiding. I could admit it. I had been waiting for the police or the secret service or whoever it was that arrested people for calling in bomb threats to an airport. I was terrified to leave my house, even if that would be the first place they would look for me.The blinds were closed and both doors locked. Again, I wasn’t exactly fooling anyone with my car in the driveway, but I had to pretend I was doing something to avoid being hauled off to prison. I had a class, but not until later. Instead of going in to work in my office, I was working from home. It seemed safer.A knock on the door nearly sent me into a panic attack. I couldn’t move from the kitchen table. Could I escape? I looked down at my thick thighs and realized my ass was not going to be squeezing through the small window in the kitchen that faced the backyard. The back door would certainly be guarded.“You’re being ridiculous,” I whispered.“Leila!” Kami’s voice boomed. “Open the damn door. I know you’re in th

ChristopherUnlike most mornings, I didn’t idly sit out on the patio sipping my coffee and assuming my son would be making his way downstairs. I was in the kitchen, checking the time and waiting to see if he would come down. I knew he was home. I had checked on him periodically throughout the night. I had been nervous as hell he would try to run away again.When he came downstairs, I had his waffles buttered and waiting for him. He looked sheepish as he pulled up a seat at the bar. “How many times did you check to see if I was in bed?”I grinned. “About five, maybe ten.”He groaned. “Great. That’s going to be a thing now.”I shrugged. “For a little while. You scared me.”“I am sorry for that,” he said earnestly.I nodded. “I know. I just wanted to see where your head is at.”“I’m fine.”“I’d be okay if you wanted to take today off. We could go fishing, shopping, whatever you want.”He shook his head. “No. I need to go to school. I’m not going to make any friends if I don’t go. Besides

LeilaI was crediting my invitation to lunch on the outfit. I had seen his eyes when I stood up. I was rocking the hell out of the low-cut blouse that showed off enough cleavage to be sexy but not so much to be risqué. I was already planning a shopping trip, though not to the horrible store that refused to sell me anything because of my large size.I smoothed down the pants and pulled on the jacket I had paired with the blouse. I did my best to look casual while I waited for Christopher. Inside, my stomach was a bundle of excited nerves. I was looking forward to seeing him—alone. Alone in a crowded restaurant, but essentially alone.I was hoping he would tell me about what happened yesterday. I couldn’t exactly ask. I didn’t want him to think I was prying. He had to be the one to tell me. I promised myself over and over I would not get my hopes up. It was a casual lunch between friends. Nothing more.“Are you ready?” I heard his deep baritone voice at the door.I looked up from the pa