Once she got to work, she found Adam’s email waiting for her in her inbox. It had all the ESAG forms and info on how to sign up for the trip. She could definitely afford the fees, and with John’s encouragement yesterday, she felt sure that she could get the time off; after all, it was partly a work trip.

Val wasted a little work time surfing the internet for more information about Rwanda. What was it like there? She was curious about every little detail from what she might eat to the sights to the weather.

Val thought about Adam and wondered how his trip was going. She pictured him leading important meetings and giving his presentation in front of fascinated people. While she was imagining his Dallas interactions, her phone buzzed.

Did you get the email with the trip info?

Yep. Thanks for the additional info. I’d say I’m about 90% committed at this point.

Anything else I can say to get you to agree to come along?

Val wasn’t sure if this was Adam trying to make a sales pitch for the trip or if he truly wanted her to come along. He didn’t come across as “sales-y” in his presentation and during the car ride, so maybe she was just reading into his texts.

Just thinking it over. It’s a big decision. How is Dallas?

Good. Lots of meetings. In Dallas until Wednesday, then NYC. Next week is Chicago and then a vacation.

Vacation sounds fun. What do you have planned?

Actually nothing. ESAG sort of told me I needed to take a break while I was stateside to avoid burnout.

I’m a big believer in vacation time, texted Val, feeling a little hypocritical. She hadn’t taken many days at all since her Paris trip over a year ago. She did believe in vacation and travel, but she just wasn’t living it—yet.

I agree in theory, but I find that I get absorbed so much in work that I forget to take one.

You should visit family. Or friends. I bet your girlfriend would love some face time.

Val could just imagine Adam’s girlfriend. Someone tall and blond. Willowy and clever. She would be smart and worldly with a slight attitude. Val chuckled at that.

No girlfriend. Tough to keep one when traveling between the US and Rwanda. Time differences and unreliable internet make long-distance pretty impossible.

Val smiled at his lack of girlfriend. Perhaps she could change that?

What about visiting family?

Maybe, but I need to keep it short. Not everyone loves that I live in Rwanda and work for a nonprofit when I could be making the big bucks in engineering.

Val nodded in understanding. Her mom could be a little opinionated about her life, too. Yeah, family can be stressful. My mom is hoping for grandchildren, which she mentions all the time. Have to have a relationship for that to happen.

Val smacked her forehead, embarrassed by her oversharing. She was getting too comfortable with texting Adam. She was already starting to volunteer things about herself. If she got any more obvious, she might as well just throw herself at him in person.

There are always friends, texted Val. I’m sure you can find something fun to do. Got to get back to work now.

Later.

That afternoon, Val’s phone buzzed again. She glanced at the text, surprised to find she was hoping it was Adam. She smiled when she saw it was.

Headed out of Dallas to NYC. What are you up to?

Nothing much. Work, home, exercise, repeat. Have fun in NYC.

NYC is not my kind of town. Everything is too tall and everyone is in too big of a hurry. Makes me miss Rwanda. People follow a slower pace and take the time to get to know each other there.

Yeah, I’m not a NY fan either. I love DC. It feels much more manageable but still has big city excitement and things to do.

I’ve only passed through DC a couple of times. Sounds like a nice city.

Well, next time you’re in town, let me know. I can show you a few of my favorite spots.

Val looked down at the text she just sent. Did she just offer to show him around town? She was surprised. Clearly, she felt more comfortable with Adam than she was letting on, even to herself

I might have to take you up on that, Adam texted.

She blushed when she read his response. Chances were slim that he’d ever take her up on her offer, right? How often could he come to DC?

Cool. Meetings going well?

Yes. Lots of interest in the project and a handful of new donors. Can’t ask for more than that.

Good job. Getting excited about your vacation?

Not really. Talked with my mom and, other than a quick visit there, still have to plan something. Anything.

What about friends? Surely, you’ve got some guys to hang out with.

To be honest, not really. Spending most of my time in Rwanda makes it tough to keep in contact. Besides, I’m not the best with relationships. Even in Rwanda, I can be a bit of a loner.

Val could relate. If it weren’t for Bri and the girls, Val’s life would be a lot less fun. She was lucky that the girls made friendship and keeping in touch easy. She made the effort when it came to Bri and the girls, but a lot of the time Val benefitted from the outgoing nature and planning skills of the group. Val didn’t start or plan much, but she was always happy to go along. She texted back.

Yeah, I’m not great at them either. Other than with my close friends, I’m not good at maintaining contact.

Sometimes I feel the closest to staff in Rwanda than anyone here. But that’s usually a working relationship, not people to get a beer with and discuss life issues. Now that I’ve been a total downer, I’m off to check in for my flight.

You’re not a downer. Have a good flight. Talk to you soon.

Val realized with a start that she did want to talk to him soon. Their texting had made her think about Adam more than she expected. She wondered if they had more in common. She had enjoyed their brief chats about family and work, and she looked forward to hearing from him. His comments about relationships made her think that he was opening up to her as she was to him. Maybe it was all too comfortable talking online, but when would she possibly see him again?

Val felt that the time had come for her to decide about the Rwanda trip. She couldn’t stop thinking about it all week. Reading the guidebook to Africa that she bought online had only intrigued her more. If she was serious about returning to her adventurous roots, this would be the perfect opportunity. If she didn’t take this chance, what chance would she take?

She decided to go for it. It was time to get back to being her old self, the self that she wanted to be. As soon as she made the decision, a big smile spread across her face. This felt right. This felt like what she needed to do right now. She would break out of her routines in the most dramatic way possible, traveling halfway around the world to a place that was utterly foreign to her. This would be a new experience with a capital N and capital E.

Val texted Bri to tell her the decision.

Hey. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve decided to go on the trip.

Yay! I’m so glad. I think this is great for you. Just what you need.

It’s funny that it took me so long to decide, but I’m excited. It feels right.

I know you. Sometimes you decide things in your own sweet time. If I thought pushing you would have helped, I would have been bombarding you from the moment you mentioned it.

Haha. Guess I should let Adam know I’m going and get the paperwork started. Never been so ready to fill out papers!

The handsome Adam. Is it wrong that I’m hoping you two run off into the sunset in Rwanda together?

Bri! That’s not what this trip is about. I hardly know the man.

Yes, but you could get to know him better. Way better, if you catch my drift.

Later, Bri.

Val laughed at Bri. That girl had a one-track mind that focused on men and riding off into the sunset with those men. Val didn’t let on that seeing Adam was a bonus of the trip though, whether or not the sunset part came true.