Subtle Endearment

34. Reunion

Kira

I shuffle in my seat, smoothing out my pink sundress. The warm aroma of freshly made bread fills the air as a waiter passes by me with a platter of food. I glance impatiently at the entrance and my leg bounces up and down as nerves take over. I take in a deep breath and exhale relieved as I successfully calm myself.

"Did you wait long?" a voice suddenly asks from behind me.

"No, I didn't," I say smiling up at the face of the man I'd only dreamed of for the past eight months. "I just got here too, Ian," I smile.

"That's good. How have you been?" he asks.

"I'm doing much better now. A lot happened in the past eight months," I admit. Ian hangs onto every word I say.

"I missed you," he says, cupping my hands in his own.

"I missed you too, a lot," I admit.

Ian smiles a gentle smile as I speak. "I was surprised when you suggested Lucy's Pasta," he says looking around. "It's the same one I tried to take you to then," he chuckles.

"Yeah, I thought now would be a great time for a redo," I say sheepishly.

"Anything for you, Meri Jaan," Ian says. I smile as the words escape his lips. His love for me hasn't changed and mine for him hasn't either.

"I'm actually working as the CEO of Fixed Tech full time now. It's broken its ties with Stubborn Elites," Ian says, giving my hands a squeeze.

"Really? That's great," I say, covering my mouth with a hand in shock.

"Yes, I'm a free man now," Ian says jokingly.

"That's really great," I say.

"Yeah, a couple of people left Stubborn Elites to pursue regular jobs since Trevor gave them the option. Landon still works with Stubborn Elites but he's also trying his hand at office work. It's gonna take some getting used to for him," he chuckles.

"Speaking of, your position is still available within the company if you want to return," he says looking at me expectantly.

"Yeah, I do miss working with Violet and the others. I think now would be a good time to go back," I say reminiscing about my time there.

"Violet is also enjoying seeing Landon more often at the company. Landon told me that he was actually going to ask Violet out on a date today," Ian informs me.

"Good for them. Landon's been chasing Violet for years and it looks like now Violet might just cave in," I laugh.

"I didn't say she said yes though," Ian chuckles.

"That's just like Violet playing hard to get. Between you and me though, she hasn't stopped talking about him since I met her. Just last week she had me on the phone for hours talking about Landon" I laugh.

"Good things or bad things?" Ian asks jokingly.

"A little bit of both," I laugh at the realization.

Ian and I order our food and as we wait, Ian begins to strike up conversation again. The twinkle in his eyes that was ever-so-present before our break remains.

"I heard that you went to talk to your mom before she passed," he says.

"I did. I said some things that were harsh but I don't regret it. I know she loved me in her own way. She left a note for me and I can tell that she regretted her actions," I say avoiding eye contact.

"I'm glad you got closure," Ian says.

"Yeah, thank you for delivering the letter," I say. "I saw you put it on my seat before the service," I say.

"It was the least I could do," Ian says.

The server soon delivers our entrees and I take a bite of the steak and potato entree.

"This is really good," I say in between bites.

"I knew you'd like it," Ian says with a chuckle. We talk about anything and everything that's happened in the past eight months of being apart.

When we're done eating, Ian and I sit in Ian's car.

"I'm really glad I met you, Kira," Ian says from the passenger seat.

"I'm glad I met you too, Ian," I say, staring up at him. In one swift motion, Ian slides his hand behind my neck and moves his lips to mine. Our lips dance under the moonlight and time seems to stop for us.