I know right away. It’s a gut feeling that I have had before too.I’m not going to see her again. I can’t tell her how much I love her.It’s too late. It was just a matter of hours. Still, I’m too late, just like always.
I try to call back. No answer.
I call another number. Great aunt Helen’s sad voice answers me. Clearing my throat, I ask, “Is Grandma Lou dead?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry, sweetie. Her doctor is the one who left you the messages. She didn’t want to tell you about the news in a text message. I’m trying to find a flight for you for tomorrow,” Helen answers through her tears.
Helen has no idea I’m already on my way. It was supposed to be a surprise to everyone. Now I am on my way to a funeral.
I hear a gasp on the other end after saying that tickets aren’t necessary. At least I surprised one person today.
Ending the phone call, I take deep breaths to stop my world from spinning.
This day turned out to be another one of the worst days of my life. There have been plenty before. It shouldn’t be a surprise that they keep coming. But I’m still not used to losing people I love.
First, mother left, then dad changed, Eli moved, and now Grandma Lou died. How many more there will be?
I wipe my tears and see traces of mascara on my light sweater. I don’t even care anymore if someone sees me. I feel numb.
I look at people around me. They are chatting and laughing, continuing on with their lives. They have no idea that my heart just shattered into tiny pieces at this airport baggage claim area. Nobody stops and asks if I’m okay. They just look at me with their empty eyes and continue walking past me.
Let’s leave the pretty girl alone to cry. That’s what they think as I sit here all alone.
It was supposed to be a fun evening full of laughter. Hugs. Love. Grandma Lou’s special hot chocolate and baked goods. Singing along to the oldies. No tears and heartbreak.
I get up after seeing my suitcase is the last one on the baggage carousel. It weighs even more now that I know what is waiting for me at my family home.
Walking to the car rental desk, I wonder why I’m still losing people I care about after everything. Haven’t I suffered enough yet?
I shouldn’t be driving. But I can’t stop. Not now. I need to get to great aunt Helen and dad.We are all we have left.
Just us three against the world.
12
ROSE
Athunderstorm greets us as we leave the restaurant. It’s raining cats and dogs, just like when I first interviewed him. Having no umbrella means getting drenched, and that wasn’t part of my plan for tonight.
I turn to Eli standing behind me. Not my most brilliant move since the sidewalk in front of the restaurant is slippery. My feet start to slide in opposite directions, and I flail my arms, trying to balance myself to no avail. I close my eyes and open my mouth to scream while getting ready for the impact. But it never comes.
Instead, I feel solid and muscular arms banded around my body. I open my eyes and look into Eli’s eyes as he pulls me closer. My body feels warmer as it vibrates.
Note to self: Tequila and Eli together is the most intense buzzy combination I’ve ever experienced.
Looking into those mesmerizing hazel eyes with flecks of gold, I know that this is the moment I have been waiting for—when I finally get to kiss Eli again.
His darkening look tells me what he’s thinking—he wants me as much as I want him.
Heat builds up inside me as I stare into those most bewitching eyes full of passion, lust, and something more. I’ve got butterflies in my stomach, their wings fluttering fast and deep inside me.
This moment is nothing like our first kiss. Sure, teenage hormones and excitement prevailed back then. But now, we’re older and wiser. At least, I hope so. We know what we want. It’s hopefully the last first kiss I will have with him.
I start small and plant a kiss on Eli’s throat near his Adam’s apple. It’s easy to tell how my kiss affects him—his shallow breaths echo in my ear. He’s close enough to take this further, but he doesn’t because Eli knows I need to be in charge right now.
I notice how his firm body shivers against me as I leave a trail of lingering kisses across his throat. The temptation to kiss him breathless is strong. It gets harder and harder to ignore it every passing second. I can feel his stubble against my sensitive skin, knowing it will leave beard burns. My center hums with excitement as I think about being marked all over my body by tiny red marks that will make me feel even sexier.
Eli brings his lips to mine, tentative at first. Like we’re assessing the shape of our mouths together, trying to remember what the other person likes. We stand there in the rain taking everything in.
