Anywhere Read Online Free

(and oh my god, I was actually on my way to Rome!), I felt like I was standing in the sunshine for the first time in my life. And it felt warm and wonderful.
    I turned to look at Asher, who was patiently waiting for my reply. “Home is…complicated right now. Really, really complicated. My mother is pissed at me for what I will admit are some Very Good Reasons, only one of which is my current location. But I need for Paige to be able to reach me. She’s going to be telling Danny…and I just want to be there for her, if she needs me. Even if I’m thousands of miles away.”
    He nodded. “You know when her plane will land?”
    “In about four hours. I’ll be asleep by then.”
    “How about I set the alarm on my phone for four hours from now, and you can turn your phone on then. Minimize your risk of uncomfortable calls.” He pulled his phone out and set the alarm, then slid it back out of sight. “There. All set.”
    I slipped my phone back into my pocket and studied him. I was having a Paige-moment with him—that instant ease. I didn’t know why but he felt comfortable, like we’d known each other forever. Which was really nice because if I couldn’t have Paige here, it looked like I had an excellent substitute. At least for the ride to Rome. I had no idea where he was going.
    “Thanks,” I said. “So who was your Plan A?”
    His face softened and he gave a sad ghost of a smile. “My brother.”
    “His plans changed?”
    “You could say that.” Asher nodded and took a deep breath, seeming to shake off his sadness. He stared at me for a moment. “I came for both of us.”
    “Then you shall have to have Twice the Fun.”
    “I shall indeed. Excellent idea.” He laughed, then pulled out a little leather-bound journal. He unwound a long tie from around it. There was a slim pen tucked into a pocket of the cover that he slipped out. Then, smiling to himself, he flipped through the pages until he came to a blank one and started writing. He glanced up and grinned sheepishly when he saw me staring. “I like that,” he said. “I’ve got to write it down.”
    “That’s so old-fashioned of you.” I pointed at his journal.
    “This?” he said. “Yeah, I just like paper and pen, you know? There’s something more concrete about writing it down yourself rather than scratching it onto a tablet or typing into a computer. Don’t get me wrong—I use those things all the time. But stuff like this, that’s personal? It’s gotta be written down.” He shook his head as he wrapped the journal back up. I liked the methodical movement of his hand wrapping the tie around and around, securing his secrets within. It was a well-practiced movement.
    “I know. I’m kinda like that too.”
    “Yeah?”
    I nodded and shrugged. Back home I had countless Moleskines full of notes, thoughts, dreams, sketches, and saved mementos. All packed up and waiting for me to move into a new home with a new husband. In my pack right now was a well-worn journal I’d started dreaming in four years ago, full of all the places I wanted to see—many more than I could fit into three months. It still had plenty of empty pages to be filled on my journey, and I had yet to write anything more in it than I’m finally and fantastically here three days ago after we’d landed in Paris. I understood the urge to put pen to paper.
    “So, how long are you staying in Rome?” Asher said as he offered me an orange from his pack. I took it gratefully, suddenly aware that I was starving. I’d barely eaten today.
    “A few days, I think,” I said as I undid the top of my pack, searching for the half baguette and brie I had left over. “I’m not sure. Honestly, I’m making this up as I go along.” Which was suddenly striking me as NOT the brightest idea. Instead of getting out snacks I should have been planning out my trip. “Is that stupid? I mean, is that an idiotic way to travel?” I looked at Asher. “Wait. Don’t answer that unless it’s