Alex spends most of the flight looking out his window, tapping his fingers against the book in his lap. He gave up trying to actually read it an hour into the trip; he was too distracted to focus on the tiny letters. There’s a sense of finality to this trip—a feeling that’s greater than anything else he’s felt before. It’s probably because he’s only ever flown on short trips, on a teacher’s meager salary. Now, with half his life packed away and following him across the sea, he feels like the decision is heavier, almost as if he’ll never go back.

He hopes he does, though. Ireland is beautiful, and even though he’s a man of numbers, it’s always inspired the artist in him...even if he’s nowhere near as poetic as his older brother, Reid.

By the time they hit the tarmac, the plane bouncing as it slows, Alex is itching to leave his seat. He’s already been staring out the window for the past thirty minutes, searching in vain through the clouds to find the terrain of the familiar city. He could barely see the stadium when the clouds cleared, a tiny green spot sticking out from the patterns of city buildings.

I can’t wait to see everything. The restaurant on the corner. The smoothie shop down the street. The library. His heart is practically pounding its way out of his chest. He wants to laugh and cry at the same time. How long has it been? Really four years? He half expects something grand to happen, like the city—or everyone he’s ever known—to greet him.

As it is, he picks up his bags from the carousel and promptly stands outside the terminal, staring at the sidewalks and traffic as if he can’t decipher what to do next.

“Where did you get back from?” The question comes from a man nearby, tan and handsome, something easy in his smile. His suit is perfect and crisp.

“Ireland, actually,” Alex says, a little surprised. He’s not used to friendliness in airports. No matter how much he enjoys talking to people or striking up conversations, most aren’t fond of talking when they’ve just stepped off eight-hour flights.

“Really? That’s interesting. I’d love to go sometime. Business?”

“Life,” Alex says, smiling. He already misses it a little. “I’m from here, actually. It’s nice to come back.”

“I’ll bet,” the man says, grinning. He extends his hand quickly, as if only just remembering to. “I’m Dean.”

“Alex. Nice to meet you.”

“Well, Alex. Not to be rude, but I noticed you looked kind of lost. Trying to figure out where to go?”

Nothing about the way Dean asks is rude. He says it as if it’s simple, an honest mistake and not the miscalculation of someone who should know better from past travels. It’s nice. Dean seems like the type of man who likes putting people at ease.

“Sort of,” Alex admits. “I’m just trying to get to my apartment. It’s been a while, though. I can’t really remember where to get a taxi from the terminal.”

“Just down this way,” Dean gestures, pulling his rolling suitcase along as he starts to walk. Alex follows him quickly, surprised. “Where’s your complex? It might be easier to share.”

“Oh. Just down Roosevelt,” Alex says. Huh. The kindness of strangers, I guess. Dean finds them a taxi, walking down the terminal sidewalk as if he’s done it a thousand times before. Alex follows, trying to keep up even as he feels his energy flag. It’s been a long trip. The driver offers to load their luggage, and Alex can’t bring himself to protest like he usually does; he gets into the car and sighs, wondering why he’s tired when he’s been stuck on a plane for hours.

“Jet lag starting to hit?” Dean asks, smiling. “Must have been a long trip.”

“It was,” Alex agrees, trying to be civil even though he just wants to close his eyes and sleep. They both give the driver their destinations, and then Alex leans toward the window, watching the city pass by. He wonders what his brother is doing and whether there are classes at the college. Things are bustling, traffic picking up as they leave the airport. Dean’s stop is first—it’s in an area with offices, Alex notices, looking at the screen of the GPS the driver is using.

“I work at a studio,” Dean explains. “We mostly develop small video games. I don’t usually go straight there from a flight, but I need to talk to some people.”

“Ah,” Alex says, nodding vaguely. Video games. He knows he should be taking the opportunity to network, or something, but he can’t imagine in what world he would need a contact in the video game industry. I could just be friendly, though. I’ll need friends here. Alex considers trying to strike up a conversation, but before he can figure out how to maneuver a friendship from someone he’s only just met, they get to Dean’s stop.

“This is me. Hey—here’s my card, in case you ever need it,” Dean says, passing Alex a small business card. He opens his door, pausing after he steps out. “I hope you find what you’re looking for here.”

“Thanks,” Alex says, looking down at the card. He flips it over as Dean retrieves his small suitcase. Before the taxi can leave again, Dean taps on the window. Alex rolls it down, curious.

“There’s a bakery and lunch place just a few doors down from your complex. Katy’s. Stop by if you need a coffee.”

“I will,” Alex says, smiling. The taxi leaves and Alex closes his eyes, trying to tune the world out for ten minutes as he heads toward his destination. He knows better than to fall asleep—he needs to stay awake and start getting in the rhythm of being in a different time zone.

The driver helps him get his baggage and then Alex is at the front desk of the apartment complex, only half paying attention to the lengthy list of things the person at the desk is trying to tell him about the complex. He ends up almost forgetting which way to go when he leaves the office, keys heavy in hand. He rides the elevator up, wanting nothing more than to sleep, but he knows he has to stay awake. After all, he’s supposed to meet a friend. Alex gets into the apartment, dragging his three suitcases, and he sighs when he locks the door behind him. It’s empty, which is nice—he’s always enjoyed building things up from scratch. Right now, though, he’d love a couch or chair to sit on. The only thing in the apartment is the mattress lying in the bedroom, a gift from his brother. Alex makes a mental note to thank him again and ask where to look for furniture. He only has a week before he starts working as an editor, a job he’d taken pains to line up before moving.

“I just want to sleep,” Alex announces to the empty room. Instead, he uses his phone to find directions to the bakery and heads back downstairs. He almost gets lost again leaving the elevator, but he eventually remembers the way to the street, thinking only that he should get some caffeine into his system before he passes out. The bakery, once he finds it, is a warm-looking place with deep brown colors. It isn’t going to do much for his state of mind, but he thinks it’ll at least be a good place to wait for his friend.

Alex orders an iced coffee from the guy at the counter who looks a lot like a college student who needs a few cups of coffee, himself. The place is mostly empty, so Alex occupies himself with looking through the glass cases at the front. Pastries, sandwiches, large cakes. He briefly wonders how his brother, Reid, is doing. He and his partner, Benjamin, who I’d like to meet. The two have been together for a year, and they seem to be happy. Alex doesn’t go a day without hearing about it from Reid. It’s sweet, but also strange, that it actually makes him feel a little bitter. Alex doesn’t need to be reminded that he’s been alone for five years. As good as learning and growing had been, he still can’t help but feel like his time in Ireland was missing something. Someone.

“If you stare more wistfully into the distance, someone might ask you out. I sure would,” a woman says from behind the counter, a sparkle in her eyes. She passes him the iced coffee, sliding it delicately across the display case.

“Thank you,” he says, lifting the coffee in a salute. He has no clue what to say in response to her flirtation. He feels like his brain is working at half capacity; everything is too much, and suddenly, he knows the jet lag is starting to hit him.

“What about it?” She laughs, hands on the counter. He takes a moment to look at her—really look—and notices a tattoo peeking out from under her right sleeve. Strawberry blonde hair, greenish eyes. “I’m free in an hour, after we close up.”

“Sorry. I, uh—swing the other way,” Alex says. The barista utters a silent ah but thankfully doesn’t bristle at his words. He’s met a few people who have done that. Pushed and insisted.

“Our loss,” the woman says, still smiling. “I’m Katy, by the way. This is my shop.”

“Oh. Nice to meet you. I might be in often; my apartment’s close.”

“I’ll have to learn your order.”

Katy disappears into the back for cleaning supplies, and Alex takes a seat at one of the tables, looking out the window. The streets are almost empty, a few cars passing here and there. The people on the sidewalk seem to be making their way somewhere important, hurrying past with hands bundled into their jackets. It all feels nostalgic, like it should be Christmas and there should be an air of cheer and kindness. Maybe that’s just me, since I’m happy...happier than when I left, that’s for sure.

His phone is damnably silent. No answer yet, despite the texts he sent. Alex stares at the one-sided thread, sighing. He hates having to call people. Still, Katy mentioned they were closing, and Alex really doesn’t want to sit in an empty apartment. The only thing in it is a mattress on the floor and his three suitcases from the flight. The line rings as Alex waits for Marissa to answer. It rings and rings and then her recorded message chirps in his ear, cheerful but professional.

“Marissa. I’m not sure where you are or what you’re doing, but I’m starting to feel the jet lag. Call me if you still want to get dinner. I’ll wait a while longer. If you don’t let me know, I’ll just eat some peanut butter and unpack. I’m sure you’re busy saving lives as I speak.”

He smiles when he hangs up. He can imagine her running around the hospital, rushed but always on top of things, directing med students around while juggling patient charts and empty trays. He certainly remembers when she was a med student, joining him for late nights in the library with anatomy textbooks.

“Sorry—I couldn’t help but overhear,” Katy says, suddenly at his table. “Were you talking to Marissa Rio?”

“Yes,” Alex says, startled. “Do you—?”

“She’s one of my best friends,” Katy exclaims, laughing delightedly. “Small world! So that’s why she didn’t want to get dinner tonight. I’m sure she’s just running late, by the way. Traffic coming out of the hospital this time of night is always worse than she thinks it’s going to be. Every time. Don’t worry about leaving—I won’t kick a friend of Marissa’s out too soon.”

Of course it’s worse than she makes it seem, Alex thinks, settling back into his seat. Marissa has a habit of underselling things, probably because she faces true nightmares at the hospital. He’s glad Katy is nice enough to let him hang around after closing. It really is a small world—or, more appropriately, a small city. It might be a college town, but that one building is almost the largest in the area. There are certainly plenty of students around, but not much else. The big city is a little more than two hours away, so things move at a slower pace. He’s glad for that small fact; after coming from such a slow and quiet place, it’s hard to get acclimated to another country. Again.

He has nothing to do, so Alex waits at the table until it seems like Marissa won’t be coming. He can see Katy walking toward him, probably about to ask him to move on, so he starts to get up when the bells of the front door jingle loudly.

“I’m here! I’m here,” Marissa manages, breathless as she slides into the bakery. Her dark hair is in disarray, rumpled scrubs covered by a thick coat.

“You didn’t have to rush,” Alex says. “I would have—”

“No, no. I should have texted just to let you know. Sorry. You haven’t eaten yet, right?”

“Nope. I’ve just been here since my flight.”

Marissa slides into the chair across from him exhaling and swiping a stray hair back from her face. Her cheeks are flushed, and he can tell she’s exhausted. He feels a little bad for her, running around after work in a panic. In retrospect, it would have been a better idea to go somewhere the day after my flight. While Marissa is still catching her breath, Katy pulls up an extra chair, untying her apron as she watches her friend with amusement.

“You know, you could have mentioned you were meeting up with a friend,” Katy says, folding her apron.

“I know, I know. I’ve just been so busy that I forgot to tell you,” Marissa explains, stretching her arms over her head. “Alex, this is Katy—”

“We actually met,” Alex laughs. “While I was waiting.”

“Right. Well, I know it’s been a while, so we’ll make sure to invite you when we go out,” Marissa says, stifling a yawn behind her hand. “Are any of your friends even still in town?”

“I don’t think so.” Alex shrugs. Not that I had a lot of friends. He’s always been good at getting people to like him, but he’s never had lasting friendships. Never disliked, but never really loved, either. Relationships, on the other hand...well, he’s never wanted for attention. The only question has always been his interest in the other person. “Are you ready to go? I’m probably going to bed early.”

“Yes, definitely,” Marissa says, but she glances at Katy. Alex can already tell what’s going through her mind. As much as he doesn’t want to make their dinner a group affair, he thinks he can handle one extra person. Anyway, Katy seems like she could keep Marissa occupied, and Alex doesn’t have enough energy to constantly talk.

“Go ahead,” Alex says, answering her unspoken question. “I don’t mind.”

“Come on, Katy,” Marissa says, smiling. “You have the permission of his highness to join us.”

Alex rolls his eyes but follows both women out, the coffee waking him up just a little more. One week and I’ll be at work, he thinks to himself. Things will pick up quickly, just how he likes them, and he’ll get settled soon enough. Maybe the move had been last minute, but he’s got a plan and he’s expecting it to work perfectly. Now, all I have to do is meet Reid’s partner. Before he makes a hasty decision.