Chapter Fifty-Two – Gone Again
Angelina looks over at Jon when he pulls to a stop at the drop off area of the airport. She can't believe she has to go back to Ohio already. Things had been going amazingly so far and she doesn't want it to end. But she doesn't have a choice right now. They both have to get back to work.
"Sure you don't want me to come in?" Jon asks.
"You wouldn't get far if you did," Angelina answers with a smile. They both climb out of the car and make their way to the back so she can grab her bags. "Thanks again for letting me stay."
He grins. "No problem." He lets out a soft breath. "It was nice waking up to you in the kitchen again."
She blushes at that. "Well, I'm sure we can make that happen again." She looks up at him as he sets her bags down. "I'll call you when I get home."
"You better." He pulls her into a tight hug. "And let me know when you hear anything on the job."
"I will." She looks up at him. "And you mean if."
"No, I mean when." He kisses her softly. "I wish you could stay."
"You'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Doesn't mean I don't want you to stay." He kisses her again. "Course, if I had it my way you'd be living here."
She laughs a little. "I have to go."
"Okay."
Instead of backing away, however, she lets Jon kiss her. She finally pulls away and picks her bags up. "I'll call you when I get home."
"Okay." He waves as she makes her way inside. Once she disappears into the airport, Jon climbs back into his car.
Jon finds Joe in the planned meeting area and gives a small wave as he approaches. "Hey," he says.
"You got laid," Joe says.
"What?" Jon raises an eyebrow. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"There's something different with you."
"So you automatically think I got laid?"
"So you didn't?"
"Nope." Jon shifts his back pack as they make their way out of the airport. "You know Angie was coming out though, right?"
"Yeah, obviously. It's all you talked about before you left. So what happened?"
"We're giving it another go. I think it's something that's been a long time coming. It felt right coming home to her there. She's amazing."
"So I've come to see." Joe smiles over at Jon. "Don't screw it up this time."
"Not planning on it." Jon puts his bags into the back of their rented SUV. "It feels different this time. Don't get me wrong, I loved her back then. But I think it was just a different time in both our lives. I was still the fucking hot head and she was this innocent girl just graduating high school. We've both done a lot of growing up."
Joe nods. "Maybe the time away from each other is what you needed. I've known you for quite a while now, man, and I've never seen you this happy. So it's obviously been good for you."
Angelina sits down at her kitchen table after getting her dinner ready. She glances at the clock to see if she has time to call Jon and actually talk to him. She puts her phone to her ear and waits to see if he'll even answer. It could be at that point that he doesn't even have his phone with him so he can concentrate on the show.
"Hello?" Jon answers.
"Hey," Angelina says. "Wasn't sure if you'd actually answer."
Jon chuckles. "I had actually just put my phone in my bag and was getting ready to walk out of the room. You got lucky."
"Well, don't I feel special." She smiles. "If you need to go, you can call me when you can talk."
"No, it's fine. Nothing much going on. Was just gonna go grab a bite to eat and start getting my head in the game."
"Jon, I don't want to get in the middle of your routine."
"Angie…"
She smiles at the way he mutters her name. "I'm just saying. I don't want you to lose focus in the show tonight."
"You're gonna drive me crazy."
"Then my job is complete."
"Apparently. Now, I know you wouldn't call me at this point just to talk. It's probably just the bonus. So what's up?"
"I got a call a little bit ago. They want me to come in for a second interview."
"Yeah? That's great! When is that?"
"Next Monday. Would you mind if I stayed at your place again?"
"Not at all. How long you gonna stay?"
"I'll probably come in on Sunday and leave Tuesday. I can't get the time off work like the last time. I'm lucky they're letting me do this. The only reason I get to is because my boss knows what I really want to do and knows that this is a good opportunity."
"Well, at least we'll get to see each other Sunday. I leave Monday morning. And I have a packed week next week, so even if you could stay I wouldn't be home. Do you still have the key?"
"Yes. I realized earlier today actually that I still had it."
"No problem. Works out well considering you'll be coming back. What time will you be getting in?"
"I don't know yet. I have to look at flights." The thought of having to buy another round trip airline ticket worries her, but she'll find a way to manage it. "Hopefully I'll be able to find something that isn't outrageously priced."
"Let me buy your ticket."
"What? No, I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"Because… Jon…"
"I know flights aren't cheap, Angie. And I heard your tone, you're worried."
She lets out a heavy breath. "Jon, I can't let you do that."
"I'm not taking no for an answer."
She wrinkles her nose at that. "I hate you."
He chuckles. "I am aware. You've let me know it on more than one occasion. So that's a yes?"
"You aren't exactly giving me an option."
"Good. I'll get that done in the morning. For flight back do you need any certain time?"
"No, just as long as it's Tuesday. Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to do this."
"Thank you, Jon. Means a lot to me."
"You're welcome. I'll forward you the email confirmation when I get it."
"Okay."
"I should get going. Need to get some food before it's too late."
"Probably a good idea."
Angelina hangs up after they say their goodbyes and lets out a groan. She hates how easily Jon had figured out that she was worried. Of course she really shouldn't be surprised.
