After Eternity

Chapter 21

James was passing a t-shirt over his head when his cell rang. He ran to it and caught it from his nightstand to see Phil's name on the display.

"I'm in a hurry, Phil. "He said as he picked up the call and going to grab his dark blue jeans from the chair at the corner of his room.

"I know you're going for your Saturday ride..." Phil started saying but James interrupted him.

"And I still have to pick up Diana..." He added sitting at the edge of his bed sliding a leg inside his jeans. "What's the matter?"

"You are taking Diana with you again?" Phil asked instead of continuing the conversation to the subject that led him to that phone call.

In fact, he had called to invite him to have dinner at his place, but maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea since he'd better be left alone with Diana. He knew they had stuff to figure out and being alone with each other was the only way to get there. James got up of the bed and buttoned his jeans, then walked up to the mirror to comb his still wet hair.

"Yes. I am." He answered. "She had fun when I have taken her there and I thought it would be good to take her with me again." James tried to sound casual, but he knew he wanted her company. He simply wanted to be with her.

"James, I ask you again. Do you have feelings for her? Are you in love with her?" Phil insisted for he knew his old friend too well. James was pursuing Diana.

"Maybe..." He said low, still fixing his hair.

"Maybe?" Phil still asked on the other side.

"Yeah... maybe... God... leave me alone with this. I like to be with her. Is that wrong?" He raised his tone a bit.

"No... but are you scared?" Phil asked knowing he'd be scared.

"A little but I won't pull away." He said determined. He didn't want to pull away. Whatever it was there, he wanted it. He had never been so sure.

Phil smiled. He knew all along James was developing feelings for Diana. "Don't, but don't smother her either. I know how in control you like to be and that might scare her."

James smiled. "That's the great thing... I don't need to control anything with her. It's all so natural. Look I really need to go. I am rather late. Why are you calling me?"

"Nothing... I was going to invite you to come over, but I see you have the company you want so..." Phil mocked, and James narrowed his eyes. The silence let Phil know he was doing so and he cracked a laughter.

"You are such a pain in the ass motherfucker." James smiled.

"Have fun and I mean literally fun!" Phil said. James smiled again, and he would if she let him.

"Bye!" He simply said.

James ran downstairs and to his garage to leave. He put his helmet and then the one for Diana around his arm. He left in a hurry down the hill so he wouldn't be even later and a little anxious to see her. Diana was outside waiting for him and when she heard the roar of his two wheels vehicle, she smiled. Her heart began to ran in anticipation and she puffed to get a deeper breathing to calm down. Finally, when he stopped the motorcycle by her side, instead of being more nervous, she became calm and quiet. Her eyes delighted at the vision of him in dark blue jeans and a white shirt. He looked incredible. She shot him a smile while she put on her jacket and pulled the zipper up.

"I am sorry." He excused himself as he was a little late,

"It's ok." She smiled, getting the helmet off his hands. Once again, he helped her buckling it under her chin.