The Perfection in Love - Part One

Chapter 5 - Two Different Directions

Henry tapped his knee impatiently. Where the heck was she? He wanted to strain his neck, but he did not want to seem overeager. Oyin was already uncomfortable with the thought of Olive coming. He did not want to add fuel to the fire in any way. He glanced at Oyin next to him. She was deeply engrossed in her sketch.

His phone chimed as a text notification popped up.

Already at Gate C4. Where are you? – Olive

He broke into a grin. She was here!

He turned to Oyin. "Babe, she's here."

Oyin looked up at him with unfocused eyes. He knew that look; Oyin was dreaming up the next Sistine Chapel.

"Oyin..." He said again, gently.

"Hmm..."

"Olive's here."

Oyin blinked. "Oh, okay. Oh! Olive! Right! Where is she?"

He was about to reply when he spotted Olive a few feet from him. He waved furiously. "Olive!"

She looked at him and her face broke into a grin. "Henry!"

She walked over to them as quickly as her heels would let her. As soon as she was close enough, she dropped her bags and flung herself into Henry's arms.

Henry hugged her tightly, raising her in mid-air.

It was really nice to see her again.

The sound of throat clearing behind them caused Henry to untangle himself from the embrace. Olive did the same, wiping tears from her eyes.

With just as much gusto, she flung herself into Oyin's arms. Oyin's eyes widened and she patted Olive's back awkwardly.

Soon, Olive extricated herself from the embrace. "It's so nice to see you both. It's been way too long."

Oyin laughed. "It's only been a year."

Olive chuckled in response. "Yeah, in Henry and Olive terms, that's like forever. I don't think we have ever gone this long without seeing each other. Have we, Beave?"

Henry grinned at the sound of the familiar pet name. Just as quickly, his grin fell as he took in Oyin's expression.

She looked...hurt?

Suddenly, he wasn't so excited anymore. He cleared his throat. "Y-Yeah. I don't think so either."

Oyin smiled way too brightly. "Well, let's head on to the parking lot. Henry, I can drive so you and Olive can have time to catch up."

Henry tried to read Oyin, but he was too late. Her wall was already up. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was genuinely smiling. But he knew better.

"Are you sure? I don't mind driving." He said in a bid to placate her.

"Yep. I'm good. I would like to drive." She stretched her open palm to him. "Hand 'em over."

Biting back a sigh, he placed the keys to his Ford Mustang in her palm.

***

He laughed from the passenger seat, next to Oyin. "You can't be serious."

Olive nodded vigorously from the backseat. "I am."

He turned to Oyin, whose forehead was in a crease as she tried to maneuver them on the busy highway. "Babe, are you hearing this?"

Oyin glanced at him. "Hmm? I wasn't listening."

"Oh, Olive was just telling me about this guy at a dinner party who was following her around, practically begging for her number. So crazy."