On the Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 27

"Hey," I answered on the first ring.

"Hey, I'm here. I should be to you in about twenty minutes," Billy's voice crackled with electricity.

"Great, I hope the flight wasn't terrible because my dad is already heading into the restaurant," I smiled, knowing he would be pleased.

"No turning back now," he let out a gruff laugh.

"Nope," I agreed. "I'll meet you out front."

"Hey, woah..." Billy stopped me from hanging up.

"What?"

"I love you, Lil," he shot at me.

I let a breath laugh escape me. "I love you too, Billy."

I took a last look in the mirror and immediately felt silly. Billy had seen me in all states of being; overtired, hungover, even hugging a toilet during a nasty bout of food poisoning. Still, I tapped fresh lip gloss on my lips and bounded downstairs like a child.

I shielded the sun with my hand as I inspected each passing cab until one finally pulled up before me.

"Thanks, man. I don't need any change," Billy nodded before pulling himself out of the car. "There's my girl," he smiled as he dipped at the knees and wrapped his arms around me.

"Hey, Billy." I breathed him in as he clutched me.

"You look good." He inspected me closer. "Did you cut your hair?"

"Yeah, just a trim." I tousled my ponytail as I spoke. It surprised me that he noticed.

"Still smells like strawberries," he smiled.

"Ready?" I asked as I stretched my hand out to him.

"Yeah, let me just run up and drop my bag off."

"Oh, right." I turned to lead him upstairs.

"Hey," he paused me with a hand on my shoulder. "I can just run up. Give me your keys."

"Okay," I smiled as I handed him my keys.

"Take these," he added as he handed me his sunglasses.

"Thanks." I gave him a sheepish smile as I slid on his Wayfarers.

He quickly departed, and even though I knew he'd be back in moments, loneliness crept into my chest as the apartment building door clicked behind him. I glanced up and down the familiar street. People meandering in and out of shops and restaurants. My eyes bounced between clutched hands. I had never noticed how many couples surrounded me all the time.

"Hey." Billy's hand landed on my back as he shattered my thoughts. "I borrowed your sunglasses," he added as he tapped my Wayfarers that now hid his eyes.

"They suit you," I teased.

"Mmhmm, I thought they would. Where to navigator?" He extended a hand to me.

"My dad's meeting us at King's. They have a super cool back patio with a ton of nooks."

"You looking to hide me away?" An eyebrow lifted above his sunglasses.

"Yeah, actually; that's exactly what I'm trying to do," I shot back.

"I'm not recognizable, Lil. It's not like I'm Paul McCartney," he sighed.

"Yet." I was only half-teasing. "Besides, my dad likes it there too."

We walked in silence the few blocks to Kings, but Billy let me drop his hand so I could wrap myself around his arm, pulling me closer to him. He paused as we neared the restaurant.