Chapter 1
I sat here in this uncomfortable plastic chair. The plane had arrived fifteen minutes ago and now I was nervously awaiting this "grand" reunion. People kept giving me strange looks. I was the only person wearing sunglasses and a baseball hat in the airport. I was grateful that no one recognized me, that's all I needed today. I smiled sweetly as people passed me and stared at me.
There was a light tap on my left shoulder. I know it was him. My heart started beating harder and faster. I got up and turned to face him. My eyes from underneath the glasses met his and I saw the boy that I had known so long ago. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he wrapped is now muscular arms around my waist pulling me closer to him. My eyes started to tear as I was overwhelmed with joy. "I really missed you."
"I missed you too. I got these for you," he pulled his arms from around my back and in his hand was a dozen white roses that reminded me of the white snow that fell in Toronto. I had never seen snow until that year and now that I was back in California, there was no snow.
I was sure that my face was bright red by now. "Thank you," choked out. I took them and smelled the sweet fragrance they gave off.
"You look good. I can't believe that I haven't seen you in almost ten years. How are things?" He wrapped his left arm over my shoulder and carried his duffel bag over his right.
"Thanks, you look good as well. Yeah, me too, I doesn't feel like ten years, but it has been. Things are going, moving at least. The deadline for my book is coming up fast and I'm not even halfway through with editing. I have a photo shoot, a meet-&-greet, a recording session and a gig all this week. I suppose you picked a good week to come visit me."
"Yikes, I'm sorry. I hope I'm not a burden. Maybe I can help you with the editing, so you have one less thing to worry about. I'm sorry I even asked." Craig chuckled again holding me tighter.
We got to my mustang and got in. "I just hope that it's not a hectic week that I don't have time to relax. Enough about me; what's up with your life? I've read all of your pieces. They're good."
"Thanks, but it's not enough. Like, they send me on cover stories, interviews and reviews, but it's not helping me pay my bills. My phone bill is outrageous because of all the calls I make during the day and the magazine won't pay for it. Then there's the water, electric, phone and internet connection. Life is tough."
My expression had saddened as he explained. "If you need some help with your bills, don't be afraid to ask. I know that must sound really cocky, but I want to help you. Anyway, I'm getting depressed talking about this. How's your fiancé? Skylar, right?"
"Actually, she called it off a few months back. She realized she wasn't ready to get married and ran off with some body builder she met in Las Vegas. I don't think I really loved her anyway. Who's flavor of the week this week?"
I slapped him as I pulled into the driveway of my beachside condo. "Very funny, man whore. I'm quite content on being single. Although, I do miss the feeling of being loved."
We got out of the car and made our way into the house. I walked into the house twirling around with my hands in the air. "Welcome to my humble abode. Make yourself at home."
Craig came and stood by me dropping his suitcase and duffel bag by the door. He wrapped his arms around my waist and whispered lightly in my ear, "What are we going to do? Two singles sharing a house together? Two singles who obviously haven't gotten over each other? He pulled his right hand up to touch my jaw line and caressed my cheek. He leaned in and I didn't pull away. I let his kiss consume me and got that same feeling that I had when he first kissed me. It was starting all over again. I was starting to fall, but maybe he would be there to catch me.