Vera Martinez has never dated. (Leaving out her seven minutes in heaven with a boy from fourth grade). All she's ever known about relationships and love are from the books she reads and old films she watches.
Until, in her English literature class...
At the airport, I hold up a Welcome Home poster - that took me all night to make - infront of the arrival gate. Nathan sent me an early text that his flight will be landing in an hour. LAX is far and traffic was hectic, luckily I got to the gate five minutes before the passengers arrived.
I held up my welcome sign in front of me - tiptoing on my feet for a better look. Arrivals began to walk out of the gate and walk to the people that were waiting for them. Others - as in single passengers - walked past me to the pick up area, where plenty of taxis and communal vans waited.
On my toes, I look over past the many heads. Many flights were arriving around the same time - especially Asian flights. I was about to wave to a stranger - thinking it was Nathan - but putting it down as I saw it wasn't him. Fewer people were now walking out. Looking down at my phone, the time read 10:10 AM. Nathan should have walked out here by now.
With a pout, I look up to meet a pair of brown eyes being protected by glasses. Raven black hair slicked neatly back. Black chinos - cuffed at the bottom - with an ironed white dress shirt tucked in with a thin belt. Casual Van skater shoes covered his feet and his platinum Rolex glistens with the late-morning sun.
Nathan smiles widely which turns my pout into a large toothy grin. Rolling his carry-on, Nathan walks towards me in quick large steps. With each of his step, my heart beated faster - thump, thump. Nathan lets go of his suitcase and wraps his arms around me. He squeezes me tightly. I breathe in his sweet cologne.
"I've missed you Vera," Nathan whispers against my neck.
"Me too," I say.
We pull apart only to be suprised as Nathan closes the distance between us with his lips touching mine. We share a short, sweet kiss before pulling apart.
"I've missed you," Nathan breathes out chuckling.
I grab his carry-on. "Let's go. I need to pick up the twins from daycare and then shop at Costco. Do you want me to drop you off at your place?"
Nathan makes a face. "You're getting rid of me already?"
"I . . No. I thought you'd be tired and would want to-"
He closes the space between us again. Nathan's lip completely cover mine. The bitter taste of coffee and brandy fill inside my mouth. I grab hold onto his shirt - taking him in. Just as I felt my stomach drop, Nathan slowly pulls away. My mind fuzzy.
"I've slept plenty on the flight. Besides I'm a little jetlagged."
I nod, still in a daze. "Alright . . You can always nap in the car."
Nathan grins from ear to ear. It felt like he wanted to say something, but he shakes his head and takes my hand. A touch I didn't think I'd miss while he was gone. Nathan was only gone for five days and I missed him so much, but I'm so afraid to tell him.
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