Ch. 2

I couldn't sit still in my seat as the plane pulled into the gate. I was the first one up and out of my seat and worked my way down toward baggage claim. I waited impatiently for my bags to come around and grabbed them as soon as they came into my sight. I barely composed myself and stopped myself from running out the doors of the airport. Instead I strolled out the doors with a spring in my step.

Looking around I saw Chris leaning against his car casually, looking down at his phone. I stood there for a moment admiring his lean but muscular form. From his long graceful neck, to his broad chest. Down to his narrow waist, and succulent backside. My eyes traveled down his gorgeous legs before he looked up from his phone. Seeing me he smiled and walked toward me. He jumped the last two steps and I caught him in a tight embrace inhaling deeply, reveling in the scent that was all Chris.

"I missed you." Chris said quietly and squeezed me a bit tighter.

"I missed you too man. I can't wait to catch up with you. What's the plan? Are we going to lunch or are we just going to go home and order Chinese and talk there?"

Chris smiled at me and my heart jumped, "Well I was thinking we could go out to lunch and talk there, like I said I have something to tell you."

"That's good because I have something to tell you as well." I said smiling and pulling away reluctantly.

"Well now that is decided, let's go to lunch."

Chris said and pulled one of my bags from my hand. I smiled and grabbed my other bag and followed him to the car. Loading the two bags into the back seat we settled into the front seats and Chris pulled away from the curb. We drive off in conversation, me telling stories about Broadway, and funny things that had happened while I was in New York. Chris laughing and telling me stories about the Glee cast and things that I had missed desperately.

We pulled into a little out of the way diner that was by Chris' favorite place to eat. We walked in quietly and sat down. We ordered quickly before turning to each other. Chris started first.

"Well Dare, you said that you had something to tell me?"

I smiled, "I do have something to tell you, but why don't you go first?"

Chris smiled cautiously and started again.

"Well Dare, a lot has changed in three weeks, do you remember James?"

I grimaced, of course I remembered James he was the last person that I knew of that Chris had gone out with. "Yes I do. Why?"

"Well,' he continued cautiously, 'we are dating now, I think I might even love him."

I sat back against the seat in shock, "Well, does he make you happy Chris?" Happier then I make you?

Chris smiled at me, "Yes he makes me happy Dare. He makes me laugh and I can understand him, and he doesn't get all star struck when we are together."

I smiled at Chris. "That's good, I am happy for you."

That was what I said. But inside my head I was screaming as I felt my heart crack. It would never be.

Chris smiled at me, "Well now that is off my chest … what was it that you wanted to tell me."

I forced a smile and looked at him, "Just that I missed you so much."

He smiled at me sweetly and reached across the table to place his hand over mine. I smiled back at him and pulled my hand back as our food arrived. We ate quickly and then went back to our apartment. I walked in and smiled as I saw the couch and then I yelped as I saw a ball of fur come flying out of the bedroom and I fell to the floor laughing as I caught the puppy. I looked up at Chris.

"When did we get a dog?"

"Well you see, she is your welcome home present, I know how much you love dogs, and so I got you one. Her name is Halo."

I looked up at Chris in complete shock. He had bought me a puppy, this adorable little ball of fluff, she looked like a Labrador but her hair was thicker and she was pure white, I figured she had to be a mutt of some sort but those always made the best dogs. I stood up holding Halo tightly to me as she washed my face. I pulled Chris into a one armed hug and buried my head in his shoulder.

"Thank you Chris, just thank you so much. She is beautiful."

I heard Chris chuckle and press his lips to my hair.

"You are welcome Dare."

"Chris I …"

I was interrupted by a knock at the door. I sighed and went to answer it, Halo still tucked firmly under my arm. I opened the door to see a man standing there. He stood about 6'4". He had black hair and deep blue eyes. He skin was a deep olive color and he had on light eyeliner.

"Can I help you?" I asked politely not sure who this was.

"Yes, I am James and you must be Darren."