I certainly didn’t order a car; I’ve never ordered a private one that comes inside to meet me!
So I walk and weave my way through the crowd and see this giant sign being held up with my name on it and I’m suddenly nervous about getting any closer.
But then, it’s like everyone knows I’m coming and there’s suddenly a clear path to the sign and the sign holder. His face is blocked by the sign, but I’d know that body anywhere and I can feel the smile quickly spreading across my face.
Slowly, he lowers the massive sign and there he is.
Sebastian.
Ash.
Wearing his glasses.
The next thing I know, we are every cliché in a romantic movie or romance novel as I run to him, leap into his arms, and kiss him.
I don’t know how he got here or why; the only thing that matters is that we’re together again.
20
ASH
Olivia is wrapped around me like a vise, but that’s okay. I still hold her to me just as tight.
I’m not an impulsive person, but when I finished the Dallas job earlier than expected, I didn’t want to go back to Raleigh; I wanted to be here for Olivia. I hated the thought of her arriving home all alone.
And I got done earlier than I let on because once the idea came to me about surprising her here in Seattle, I had to do everything possible to keep from giving myself away.
Clearly it worked because she’s completely surprised.
She breaks the kiss and stares at me in wonder. “You’re here!”
“I’m here,” I confirm. There’s a group of people surrounding us, clapping, and we smile at them as I slowly lower her to her feet. Fortunately, they move away quickly.
“I don’t understand. You said you still had several days left in Dallas.”
“I lied.”
Those beautiful green eyes go wide. “Normally, that would be an issue, but in this case, it’s kind of awesome.” She’s watching me with the biggest smile. “When did you get here? Do you have any luggage? Are we leaving now? How long are you staying?”
I kiss her softly before walking over and grabbing her luggage. “I rented a car, and my luggage is already in it. So if this is everything, we can leave now.”
“Ash, you didn’t have to rent a car. I have one at my place and…”
She pauses and I turn to find her frowning. “What’s the matter?”
“I drove from Alaska to Washington. I didn’t even think about how I was going to get my car from Washington to North Carolina.”
“And you don’t need to have that worked out right now either. It’s just one of the many things that will have to be worked out soon. Now, let’s go home.”
I take the larger of the suitcases and her carry-on as she walks beside me with the smaller one. She tells me all about her flights as we make our way out to the car. There’s a lot more traffic than I would have expected, and it takes us almost thirty minutes before we’re out on the highway. Liv gives me the directions and points out little areas of interest as we drive.
“You know that there is going to literally be nothing to eat or drink when we get home, right?” she asks. “I threw everything away before I left.”
“Can you do an online grocery order? It probably won’t be there by the time we arrive, but hopefully it will be within the hour.”
“Good idea!”
Her place is forty-five minutes away, and by the time we arrive, we’re both more than ready to be out of the car.
