The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Forty Three: Sign of the Times

You watch in awe as the slow smile spreads across his magnificent face. "Hello love. Took you long enough." You imagined this moment many many times over the last twenty four hours; in the Uber from Lisa's house, the dreadfully long flight to London, the bumpy cab drive here to Somerset, in the bath and even in your dream while napping. But nothing compares to the actual reality of what is happening here before you, or what he has just said. You definitely did not expect these words to come out of his mouth as you feel your eyebrows scrunch and you look at him with what you're sure is a perplexed expression.

"Excuse me?" You ask with a somewhat amused voice.

"Took you long enough", he repeats with a sly grin, then pulls you into a soft embrace. Tilting his head toward your ear he whispers, "But I knew you'd come". You pull back from him a bit abruptly, wonder filling your mind.

"But...how did you know I'd come if I didn't even know myself?" His grin widens and your eyes dart down to his perfectly pink mouth stretched over gleaming white teeth. You lick your lips inadvertently, remembering what that mouth feels like on your skin. Taron opens said mouth and takes a small breath before beginning to speak. But right as the first sound escapes him, you hear your name being called from somewhere beyond your right shoulder. Reluctantly turning to see who could be interrupting your long awaited reunion, you can't help yourself from smiling when you see Lindsay rushing toward you. Arms outstretched, she gathers you up into them before you can even say hello.

"You made it! I'm so glad!" She exclaims through your hair.

"Thanks Lindsay, good to see you", you reply somewhat muffled against her shoulder. Pulling back from you, her hands remain outstretched against your shoulders. She gives you a quick once-over then her eyes land on yours.

"You look amazing. So good to see you as well." This once reserved woman whom you didn't even know if she liked you now looks positively ecstatic at your presence.

"You look great as always Lindsay. And thank you so much for all the directions and help. I couldn't have made it here without you."

"Of course, it was my pleasure. Anything to make this guy over here more pleasant to be around", she adds with a wink then turns to Taron who is just standing there with an odd grin on his face. "So!" She exclaims enthusiastically. "Did you have any trouble getting here?" You find the question amusing in a way. It seems you did in fact have trouble getting here, but not in the way Lindsay thinks, you assume.

"Umm noo...", you respond, your eyes gliding over to Taron who does not disappoint with a delicate smile playing against his lips. "Like I said, your instructions were perfect, thanks again", you add as you reluctantly pull your gaze from Taron's to look at the woman before you. She simply smiles and finally releases your right shoulder to place her hand on Taron's left.

"Well, I'll leave you two to get um, reacquainted then", she says with a quick wink in your direction before sidling away. You wonder briefly just how much she knows about your relationship with Taron and the many many ups and downs you've had over the past year.

"So...", Taron breaks the silence that has now fallen between you. "How are you?" How are you? Aren't we a little past "how are you" at this point? But you respond graciously.

"I'm good Taron. It's been an interesting twenty fours hours...thirty six? Who knows, I've lost track, but I'm really good."

"That's great to hear. I bet you're exhausted from traveling."

"I had nap earlier, so I feel ok." Why are we making small talk? "How is your birthday going so far? Feel any older?" Feel any older? Did you really just say that?