When the Waves Crash (SEQUEL) *ON HOLD*

CH. 1 - Goodbye California

Christian drove up to the curb of the passenger drop-off section of the airport.

I glanced at his right hand as he let go of the steering wheel, shifting the gear to park. His hand was adorned with two gold signet rings around his pinky and middle fingers.

He had a snake tattoo that started at the base of his thumb and trailed upwards near the end of his forearm; along with the matching tattoo on his left bicep him and Danny shared.

Christian unlocked the doors to his BMW, stepping out as he unlocked the trunk to get my suitcase out.

I stayed seated in the passenger seat for a moment, turning my head as I nervously stared at the airport doors. Leo was picking me up once I arrived in Austin.

I felt bad for telling him I was in California alone when I spent majority of my time with Christian.

Maybe I shouldn't feel so guilty about it. It's not like Christian and I did anything.

I flinched as the passenger side door opened and Christian leaned over, amusingly raising an eyebrow at me with a faint grin on his face. "You're still in the car? You okay?" He chuckled.

I quickly nodded, unbuckling my seatbelt. "Yeah, yeah sorry. I'm fine." I awkwardly laughed, grabbing my purse as I stepped out of the car.

I gently closed the car door behind me, stepping up onto the curb as I straightened my shirt out and swung my purse around my shoulder. Christian rolled my suitcase over to me and I took the handle from his hand, smiling at him. "Thanks."

Christian dug his hands into his pockets. "Did you enjoy your trip?" He started to make small talk.

I cheerfully nodded. "Yeah, it was nice. When are you officially moving to Austin?"

"Uh," He blew a huff of air out in thought, glancing around at the cars that were passing by. "A couple weeks, maybe like two or three."

I tilted my head at him, flashing him a coy smile. "Yeah? Maybe I'll come visit you. I could even throw in a little housewarming gift."

He lowered his head as he softly chuckled. A few strands of his dark brown hair spilled over his forehead. "Yeah, yeah, definitely you should. And a housewarming gift doesn't sound too bad either." He grinned, strikingly resembling Danny's boyish smile.

"Also, we can talk about how we're gonna find your old friend. You know I could always call up Detective Myers again."

I faintly smiled at him, ignoring the pang of guilt I felt about Maia being the reason Danny was dead.

"Yeah, that sounds good." I mentally cursed at myself for letting my sadness slip through my voice. I knew Christian would notice it.

He quickly ran his hand through his hair, furrowing his eyebrows a bit. "What's wrong?"

I sighed, looking up at him with a hint of worriment in my eyes. "Are you sure you don't feel any type of way about me having been friends with Maia?"

"So, that's her name huh?"

Christian gestured me to come closer and I dragged my legs over to him as he enveloped me into a bear hug. I let out a muffled laugh against his chest as I felt slightly better.

"I promise I don't feel any kind of way about you being friends with her. Or rather ex-friends. The point is, you guys aren't friends anymore." He looked down at me as I gazed up at him. "And like I said before, don't blame yourself for Danny's death. You're not the one who killed him."

"Okay?" He softly rubbed my back.

"Okay." I breathed in his cologne that intoxicatingly smelled like dark amber and oak.

I pulled away from him, ending our embrace.

"For now, I just want you to have a safe flight." Christian smiled.

"Thanks Christian." I smiled back at him, grasping the handle of my suitcase, pulling it closer to me.

"Let me know when you get home."

"I will."

I watched Christian as he walked back to his car. He got in, immediately bringing the passenger side window down as he shot me a cute half-smile, waving goodbye.

I quietly giggled, waving back at him before he drove away, leaving the airport.

I turned around towards the airport doors deeply sighing as the reality of my trip ending finally hit me.

I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket.

I quickly pulled it out, glancing at the screen as it lit up.

Leo 💞: Hey Sweetheart, I got your flight info. Have a safe flight lmk when you land

Leo 💞: See you soon, I love you

I weakly smiled at his texts, pressing the message bubble to respond without unlocking my phone.

Me: Thanks Leo, I will! Love you <3

I shoved my phone back into my pocket.

I glanced at my engagement ring, noticing my hand was trembling. I sighed, shaking off my anxious feelings.

"Okay Nadia, here we go." I poised myself up, walking into the airport as I mentally prepared myself to see Leo.

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