Persuasion

Lego House

The phone rang twice before he answered. "Hey Ace, you packed yet?" he teased.

"It's not funny Logan. I have packed up all of the belongings in this apartment and I have to have them ready to ship out tomorrow before I leave and I can't find anything. Right now I'll be lucky if I make it to London with anything to wear except what's on my body."

"You don't need clothes Ace" he whispered, making sure not to miss the suggestive comment even though I knew full well he was at work.

I blushed but ignored the comment. "Are you sure it's okay that I send boxes to your place?"

"Absolutely. Even though that will be against my previously indicated ulterior motives."

I smiled the blush returning to my cheeks. "I just don't want to cramp your style."

"You'd cramp nothing. It's a done deal."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you" I admitted.

"Me too Ace" from his tone I could tell that he was smiling "Wednesday can't come quick enough."

"The party is Wednesday night, but other than that I'm yours for 10 whole days."

"I like the sound of that."

"Me too" I said quietly with a small sigh "I'll let you get back to work. I'll let you know when I'm at the airport."

"Have fun packing."

"Ugggh don't remind me" I said with a laugh.

"Bye Ace."

I continued packing, feeling better than I had in months. This was the end of something, but also the beginning. It was my time to be rootless and take on the world. I had an article to submit for The Atlantic before Christmas and the Talk of the Town piece had earned me another meeting with Naomi about a possible continuation in the form of a book. Things were looking up. I finished packing late that evening and texted Logan a picture of my boxes stacked neatly ready for the movers. 'Now hurry up and get here!' was the message I got back. It brought a smile to my face and I fell into a more peaceful sleep than I had in recent memory.

Although Logan told me he couldn't meet me at the airport this time, I was half expecting to see him when I landed at Heathrow. Instead a driver with my name written on a sign greeted me, but when I entered his flat I saw a large poinsettia plant sitting on the counter with a note:

Sorry I couldn't be there to pick you up. See you tonight.

I took out my phone and texted Logan quickly before dialing my mom.

"Did I get Luke flannel shirts for Christmas last year?" she questioned.

"How on Earth am I supposed to remember that?"

"You were there!"

"So were you!"

"I know. I swear I have the hardest people to shop for, between my mother and Luke Christmas gift buying has lost all it's appeal."

"Well thank goodness you have me" I said carrying my bag into the bedroom.

"A true statement in many aspects of my life. So intrepid traveler did you make it to - where are you again?"

"I'm in London" I said flopping down on the bed.

"London, you live such a glamorous life."

"Oh so glamorous, I'm at the wearing sunglasses to hide the bag under my eyes stage of tired."

"You better get some cold cream, Mommy needs you looking young."

"Yeah plus I have to go impress people and schmooze tonight so I probably should go take a nap, so I'll let you get back to your Christmas shopping."