She sighed. “I hope she didn’t fuck it up. I’m going to need a miracle.”

He held out his elbow and she took it, the two of them walking slowly through the bustling airport. Even now, on a Tuesday afternoon, it was surprisingly crowded, and the loud, boisterous screams of people being reunited and laughing together, coupled with the quick movements of the crowd, did nothing to help her aching head. Thank God for sunglasses, she thought, closing her eyes and letting Ted lead her.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he suddenly asked.

She paused, trying to make her expression neutral. “About what?”

He gestured up and down her wrinkled, reeking body. “About this.”

“It’s not worth discussing. Not now, anyway. Not when I can’t laugh about it yet.”

She realized then, though not for the first time, that she actually liked Ted a lot, and not just as a colleague. And yet, while he told her everything, every detail about his life outside of work, she’d kept him somewhat at arm’s length their entire career together. Still, she trusted him a lot. She was relieved to see him now, put together and ready to help her do whatever needed to be done. It was reassuring to know she could always count on him like this.

They continued walking, making their way toward the car stands, and she glanced over at him, suddenly wanting to tell him everything after all. But no. It wasn’t the time or place. Maybe later, after the meeting this afternoon. London offered a hundred lovely pubs to drown her sorrows in, after all, and Ted was usually up for a pint when they were here together, as they’d been many times before.

As they stepped outside into the blinding sunlight, she wished she had a second layer of eye protection. Ted peered up and down the line of dark sedans. Then he pulled slightly on her arm and pointed at a car, holding up his phone to show her that the plate matched what was on his phone. The chauffer helped them with their bags, and then they were inside in the blissfully darkened back seat. He sat facing her, and a privacy screen separated them and the driver.

“Should only be about forty-five minutes to an hour to the hotel,” Ted said, checking his phone. “Once we’re there, that’ll give you about an hour to get ready before we have to leave for the meeting.”

She nodded. “Okay. And don’t worry, Ted. It will be enough. I know I look like hell, but it won’t take more than an hour to be myself again.”

He relaxed a little, rubbing his palms on his slacks.