Say Goodnight Before You Leave

38. Big Scene

Present. London, England.

Watching the sunrise yellow and pink on the horizon through the glass wall, with my tiny luggage rolling behind me, I keep myself on the far right of the hallway trying to avoid the other rushy passengers when I feel my cellphone vibrate on my jeans pocket.

Unknown number. "Who is this?"

"I need no introductions, do I?" Lylia. "I'm calling from the landline, forgot my phone in the house."

"So, baby mama, how is the heat?"

"Whoever invented he air-conditioner, I wanna sleep with them. It's the only thing keeping me from melting in my clothes. Anyway, just calling to see how you doing before I get real busy."

"I'm fine and Dal-" I stop, having a man bumped shoulders with me, he doesn't even look back. "Fucking idiot," I say under my breath.

"What happened?"

"Some suit and tie asshole bumped into me. Those executive types think they're the kings of the effing world. Sorry, it's early here, and I'm pissed"

"Where the hell are you?"

"I have just landed in London and I'm making my way to the exit."

"London? By yourself?"

"Yes. For now, I'm meeting Mads outside."

"Finally putting an end to that fire in your ass."

"I swear I'm dying laughing."

"Then what for if not for that?"

"Mads attending the Baftas this weekend and he called me to come with him. I put the work aside for a moment and here I am."

"Fuck, you should've told me about it long before, I could've gotten something for you to wear."

"I wish I could, but it was very short notice. Like, two days ago. I got some clothes into a luggage and bought a plane ticket in one day, but fear not, I packed that dress you made me for the Paris collection presentation."

"The dark green one, right? Good luck keeping Mikkelsen with his pants on with that one. Was he nominated or is he just hanging around?"

"Best actor. And Golden Lands as best British film, then someone also got nominated as best supporting actor or something. I don't remember all, but I hope you sit down to watch it tonight."

"Tonight already? Well, tell him I wish him good luck and that if he loses I don't promise I won't laugh."

---

He insists to be the one to pick me up from the airport, and my only condition is that he waits for me outside on the parking garage. When I finally spot him, he has one arm on the silver car leaning sideways, wearing a red shirt and jeans, sunglasses up to his hair while he looks down at his phone. Speeding my pace, I end up dropping my luggage when I hold him.

He puts the phone on his pocket and laughs while he hugs me back, to the point I can feel his chest vibrate.

"I didn't even see you coming." He places a kiss on the high of my cheek.

"Well, I'll forbid you to pick up that cellphone while I'm with you."

"You won't have to."

I hold his face, taking in every detail with my stomach fluttering. 

"Your hair is longer," I say, "I love it."

He smiles, the soft touch of his calloused hand on my nape. "And yours is short."