A few hours later Chris sat in her seat looking out her window as the plane started to taxi down the runway. She had left Jared with a hug and smile, and maybe the hope that somewhere down deep inside, for something more someday?
She couldn't deny he had made her smile and made her feel things. But as her thoughts turned to returning home, she felt a lump in her throat at seeing Street again. Not because she didn't want to see him, but she suddenly was more aware about how lately she had been on eggshells around him, mainly because of things between them, and him having Molly now.
"He left me behind." She muttered. "I shut him out and then had the hide to be sad and fall apart when he moved on and forgot about me. Fuck Chris! Pull it together!" She muttered, angry with herself.
She began thinking about how easy things were with Jared. Not that by 'things' she meant much, but the way he had let their fingers touch, how he smiled at her and the way he had openly said that he wanted more, made her insides turn to mush. She had been very good at holding those gushy feelings in and leaving their goodbye open and casual. However, sitting here knowing her plane was taking her away from that chance she reached into her bag and took out her phone.
Jared had put his number in and told her to text him, so spontaneity took over as she typed a message.
"Jared, feeling this plane fly away right now...I regret not saying straight up that I want to see you again." She hit send not expecting a reply as he was probably boarding his flight.
"Chris, I want that too, but I'd never force you to break your rules for me. I respect you and all that you have achieved. Go kick some ass. I will just be a message away, anytime you need me."
Chris opened his reply and bit her lip smiling.
"I can't wait to get to know you more." She hit send. Turned off her phone and threw her head back closing her eyes. Not quite believing she just did that.

As Chris stepped off the plane, she smiled seeing Erika waiting for her. They had become really close friends ever since she had taken a place on 50 David, and Chris couldn't wait to tell her all about Virginia.

On their car ride back Erika started, "Okay start at the start and tell me it all."

Chris nodded,

"Okay well the first day was pretty much just getting to know the place and seeing what was on offer. After that, we all got to choose what we wanted to participate in, and I started getting prepared for my presentation and workshop."

"Uh huh," Erika encouraged as she listened intently, navigating the freeway.

"My presentation went really well; I actually had requests from my audience to repeat it." She smiled.

"Wow, really?" Erika answered.

"Yeah, Luca called me and told me about a few things he had heard from some buddies of his in Virginia."

"That's amazing! I am so happy for you." She looked at Chris who was not smiling but looking at her hands with a worried look. "Hey, what's wrong? You should be on cloud 9? You're not worried about how Tan and Street will be because…."

"No, I, well kinda, but no, I um think I met someone?" She smiled with a cringe at Erika.

Erika's eyes went wide, and she smiled a huge smile.

"You what? Okay Wow! Hold the phone!" She laughed excitedly. "I did not see that coming. You better start telling me these juicy details."

Chris started to smile a little and looked out the window. "Well, I wouldn't say anything juicy happened. We just hung out and talked and laughed. I mean we hugged goodbye and kinda sort of held hands briefly a bit, but Erika, he gives me this feeling inside. I can't explain it, but he really has this effect on me and when we are around each other it's like I don't ever want to leave his side…." She glanced at Erika who was smiling.

"I mean, girl, wow, sounds like you have it bad? Who is this prince charming?"

"He is a Sergeant in Las Vegas. He's tall, handsome, funny and so sweet." Chris cooed slightly surprising herself.

"You really like him." Erika said with a laugh.

"Yeah, I think I do, and that scares the hell out of me." Chris replied fidgeting again.

"Are you gunna tell anyone else about this handsome Sgt? What's his name?"

"His name is Jared." Chris chuckled. "And no, I don't think I want to tell anyone else yet. I mean I don't even know what it is. We aren't like even dating or anything."

"Not even Street?"

"Especially not Street." Chris barked back. "He is doing his own thing now and I guess I am too."

"Well, you know, if you are still this giddy tomorrow, that they will read you like a book."

"Oh, don't worry I can pretend to be 'fine'." 'At least I hope I can' she whispered to herself.