Stars Landing [Book 3]

Chapter 33 - Resisting His Title

Tegan dragged her suitcase through the Pearson Airport and scanned the parking lot for her pick-up. It was too bad her friends couldn't meet her at the gate, but what could she do? Rhea was being swooped off her feet by the suit-wearer and Sera was managing the Pen Pals.

Ever since Christian accepted Sera's help, his life seemed to be a little less chaotic, or so he kept telling her. Tegan did her best to not lose touch with him while she was on vacation. It was important to her that they stayed friends and not let things get awkward between them. That was the reason Tegan decided to keep her friendship with Connor a secret from Christian.

"Over here!"

Before her trip to Fiji, it was really difficult to get Christian on board with their friendship, it was almost as if he refused to believe that was what they were. Looking at him now, suited up in a dark blue suit with those droopy green eyes of his, all Tegan could think about was the memories they had made together. Although some were more painful than the others, she knew each and every single one mattered.

Christian walked over with a big grin on his face and waved the brown bag of take-out he was carrying.

"Welcome back!" he exclaimed, grabbing her luggage in exchange for the paper bag.

"Don't tell me!" Tegan beamed taking a peak inside. It was a whole meal. "Fries and all!"

"Your coke is in the car," Christian added.

He unexpectedly grabbed her hand and led her through the parking lot. Tegan glared at his back, annoyed by his casual demeanour. Was he still hoping that they would become more than friends? God, she hoped when she came back from her vacation, he would know better than to keep flirting. Hand-holding was worse, much, much worse.

"Are you going to keep being like this?" Tegan took her hand away as Christian moved to open the car door for her. The busy entrance blurred in the background, full of cab drivers, families hauling their luggage and employees who were bustling to get from one part of the airport to another.

"Being like what?" Christian asked opening the trunk of his car. All she could focus on was his goofy expression, she had never seen him act so free spirited before. He really seemed to be in a much better place. "You going to eat those fries or are you waiting to pair them with something else?"

Tegan made a face at him. "Excuse me? Even if I was thinking about pairing it with something, it's not your place to call me out on it."

Christian waited for her to get in the passenger's seat. "It's my job to call you out on your shit, Ms. Auditor."

"Friends should support each other's choices Christian," Tegan reminded, getting in the car.

There was no reply.

Christian walked around the car to get in the driver's seat. She had to wonder if she hit a nerve by referring him to as a 'friend'. Six months later and the guy was still resisting his title. How long was this going to last? Maybe Tegan should do more to get her point across. Letting him hold her hand was probably not the best way to address the issue.

Christian started the engine in silence. Tegan didn't want things to turn awkward, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. "How is Wicked doing? When can I see him?"

"He's good," came the calm reply. "Marie's been taking care of him for me. I would have asked you to fill in, but Fiji got in the way."

Tegan laughed. "Now you're placing blame on Fiji? Have you even been?"

"No," Christian said, his smile returning. "Are you going to give me a tour when we go together?"

He was too good at backtracking conversations. "Was I drunk as shit when I agreed to go to Fiji with you?" Tegan asked. "Come on, Christian! You really think it would be a good idea for us to go on vacation together?"