"He is scaring me, Tatum. Please talk toElliott."
Ignoring her plea, I took a drink of my coffee. "Did I tell you who Elliott is partnered with?" I was trying to change thesubject.
Jen shook her head no as she took a sip of hertea.
"Parker."
She stopped mid-sip to look atme.
"You heard me," Isaid.
"Parker? As in, your ex-boyfriend from college, the love of your life, thatParker?"
I answered her with a nod, a warm feeling coming overme.
"Have you spoken to him at all since you foundout?"
"No. But apparently they hang out a lot, so I'm guessing I'll see him when I getthere."
"Maybe that’s a good thing, if you get my drift." She waggled hereyebrows.
I giggled. "Don't get your hopes up. That was a long, long time ago. Besides, he is probably married now with a couple of kids." I looked at my watch as I took my last mouthful ofcoffee.
"Yeah, but aren't you the least bit curious?" She smiled atme.
I was curious. Parker had rarely left my mind in the years following our breakup. Having regrets was the worst feeling in theworld.
"Maybe a little curious, but I'm not going down there to get involved with anyone. I better get going." I looked at my watch again. "I still have to go through security. I will text you as soon as I land." I gave Jen a hug. "Thanks for everything these last few weeks. I appreciate you letting me crash withyou."
"I'm going to miss you." She hugged me again. "Please remember to talk toElliott."
We walked over to the gate and said a final good-bye. I headed toward the security check point and handed them my passport and boarding pass. I couldn't wait to get started with my newlife.
I woke up and stretchedas the plane touched down. It had been a quiet flight, and the best gift was my phone on airplane mode so Dean couldn't bother me. I managed to get a couple hours of sleep which I was in desperate need of. I had a feeling there would be a slew of texts and messages from him waiting for me once I turned my phone back on. I was trying not to worry about it, but my anxiety was getting the better ofme.
I reached down and picked my purse up off the floor and unbuckled my belt. I was stiff from being crammed up against the side of the plane. As soon as we were able, I stood and grabbed my only bag from the overhead carrier and made my way to the exit. Thanking the flight attendant, I made my way down the ramp toward customs, and then to the designated meetingarea.
Searching the crowd of people for Elliott, I felt a little discouraged when I didn't see him right away. Figuring he may have gotten delayed, I grabbed a coffee from the closestshop.
"I'll take a large coffee with coconut milk and honey please." I reached into my purse, grabbed my phone, and turned my data back on. After I paid, I went to sit down at one of the little tables outside the coffee cubicle. I immediately noticed Elliott's name highlighted on my phone and clicked on themessage.
ELLIOTT:SORRY, TATUM. I WORK UNTIL FOUR, BUT I'VE ARRANGED FOR PARKER TO PICK YOU UP WHEN YOUR FLIGHT LANDS. I'M SORRY. I WANTED TO BE THERE. PLEASE TEXT ME ONCE YOU HAVELANDED.
I looked around at the crowds. Parker must be late, too. I swallowed down the nerves I felt building in my stomach—the same feeling I had the night Elliott told me he was working with him—at the thought of seeing Parker after all these years. I took a sip of my coffee and concentrated on breathing deeply while waiting for him toarrive.
Istood across from theexit at Gate B4 and watched Tatum. She looked exactly like I remembered. Her soft blonde hair brushed the side of her neck—hair I had longed to run my fingers through again. And her ass still looked amazing in her yogapants.
My breath hitched and desire ran through me. I felt myself grow hard. I needed to get air before I went to talk to her. I looked down at my watch. I was already late. A half hour late to be exact, Elliott was going to kill me. I should have made something up to get out of this. Who had I been kidding? I wasn't prepared to see her, even after all thistime.
I went to walk outside to get some air when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Pulling out my phone, I saw a message fromElliott.
ELLIOTT:WHERE YOU AT? TATUM IS WAITING FOR YOU. SHE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR FORTY-FIVEMINUTES.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and swallowed hard. Typing out a quick response to Elliott, I turned and headed back into theairport.
I walked up behind her, cleared my throat, and softly said hername.
She turned, and I met those gorgeous hazel eyes that I had missed somuch.