His Eyes, His Smile.

Part 12

The rain was coming down hard against my windshield when I pulled up to the airport. My fingers were shaking as they gripped the steering wheel and turned it as I pulled into a parking spot.

Fog blinded my thoughts from lack of sleep. I didn't know what or how to even convey half of what I was feeling right then.

*tap tap tap*

James held a newspaper over his head and waited anxiously to get in the car. I unlocked the door and let him in.

"Hey darling! god have I ever missed you." He gushed, his accent fresher than when he had left and his eyes a more piercing sea green. He went in to kiss me but I pulled away.

"Uh yeah It's good to see you too." I patted his hand. I couldn't handle the thought of kissing him on the same lips he had kissed Ashleigh's slutty lips.

"Is everything alright?" He questioned staring at me with worry.

"Well.. Yeah, yeah everything is fine. Just tired is all." My mind cursed and screamed at me for not taking that chance to be honest with him. The longer I waited the more it would hurt so I decided to tell him once we got home. I turned up the car stereo and we drove home without another word between us.

"So what have you been up to since I've been gone?" James asked playfully after shutting the door to our apartment and closing out the chill.

"Not much really, just school and sitting around the house I guess." God Alice another lie?! I was starting to feel guilty from the past couple days. I promised myself honesty and I decided it was now or never.

"James.. I have to tell you something?" I began tentatively.

"Of course, anything!" He assured.

"I read your messages with Ashleigh."

I cringed at the reaction I was going to get as I said those words but to my surprise James didn't look defensive but rather confused.

"Uhm yes. Me and Ashleigh did message while I was gone, and???"

"You said you wanted to hook up with her. I know you cheated on me, don't play dumb James!" I couldn't take that he was playing innocent and my voice cracked with accusation.

"Oh my Alice. I can't believe that's what you think. See in Ireland 'hooking up' means like hanging out. I would never in a million years cheat on a fine gal like you! We did end up hanging out, just to let you know, with my dad at a park."

My mouth dropped. Here James was holding back laughter at a situation that only a couple days ago completely broke me. I was baffled to hear the truth and felt guilt start to eat away at me.

'never in a million years would I cheat'
James' words rang through my mind like church bells, loud and unrelenting. What had I done? My dear lovely James had stayed true all along and I stupidly had gone and invested my affections elsewhere on account of a ridiculous misunderstanding.

"Oh... Well aren't I dumb. You know how I am though, I always read too much into every little thing." I halfheartedly laughed back to make light of the situation as James had.

"That's why you were acting so strange earlier!" James concluded. "Well if you don't mind, I'd love to catch up on some dearly missed kisses."

He immediately enveloped me in a big hug and showered down kisses. He held me tight to his body, as if in a death grip, and breathed in deeply.

I have to admit, it felt so right to be in his arms. I let out a deep sigh and closed my eyes. The type of calm he brings me has no match for words.

"Oh goodness, how I did miss you so incredibly much Miss Alice."

"Oh James, I've missed you too.."