***
"Wait. Who is Larry again?" Jackie gave me an odd look as we hoofed it through the airport. Kendal was supposed to meet us at the gate and might be a little late, but he'd promised he would get himself there.
"No clue." I dropped my bag on the floor by a row of chairs in front of our gate and sat down. "She said that he was her best friend. I assume he's some skinny guy with no teeth."
Jackie put her hand on her hip and shook her head. "Maybe he's a dog."
"What? You think he's a pet?"
"Why would a woman like Mrs. Delmaz have a man living with her? That doesn't make any sense at all."
"She didn't seem to know what the hell she was talking about. Poor thing." I waved my hand around. "Forget it. I don't want to dwell on this anymore. I need a break from everything. Whoever or whatever Larry is, I'll find him on Monday and bring him to the hospital to see her."
"You're sure going out of your way for someone you don't really know. Especially considering that the woman isn't going to remember asking you to do it."
"You'd be surprised." I grabbed my purse and stood back up. "I'm going to grab a Coke and some chips for the flight. You want anything?"
"No. I'm good." She dropped down loudly and pulled her legs into the seat with her. "I'll watch out for your handsome boyfriend."
I smirked, turned and walked toward one of the corner stores just down the hall a little ways. Boyfriend? Was that what Kendal was? I wished.
After flipping through the magazines and purposing every type of chip they had in the store, I found myself standing in front of the glass case near the register. Condoms. Did I need some? Were we going to-
"Should I ask?" The sound of Kendal's voice made me jump.
I turned around and popped him softly in the chest as heat drove up my chest and covered my neck and face.
"You scared me."
He leaned around me and glanced down. "You planning on hitting the mile high club?"
I forced my nerves to settle as I reached out and slid my hands around his waist. "No, but I was hoping that maybe we could get to know each other better."
"Hmmmm." He leaned down and kissed me quickly before moving back. "I'll get these for us."
"I'm not being too forward, right?" I moved back and crossed my arms over my chest.
"Not in the slightest. I love a woman that knows what she wants." He glanced over his shoulder and winked at me. His dark brown hair was getting thick on top, which just left him looking more like a frat boy and less like the distinguished professor he was.
I didn't respond, but turned and picked out a few snacks. Butterflies danced deep in my stomach and the very idea of him buying condoms had my insides turning to mush. Was I ready for what we were headed into? Yes. God yes.
"Put those up here too, Dana." Kendal moved back and motioned for me to drop my snacks on the counter.
"No. I got these."
"Now." He tilted his head a little toward me and gave me a stern look. Hot.
"Yes, sir." I moved up and placed them on the counter, making sure to brush my hip by his outer thigh.
He paid and grabbed the bag. "Come on. Let's get to the gate. Is Jackie already here?"
"Yeah." I wanted to reach for his hand, but with us still being in Dallas, it was better if I didn't. We could play the couple in New York, but not until then.
"Let's see if we can't get our seats together when we get over there." His eyes lingered on me as we walked back toward the gate.
"What?" I could feel myself blushing again. Something about him left me flustered.
"You're just beautiful. I haven't stopped thinking about you all week." He set his stuff down and extended his hand toward Jackie. "I think we've seen each other around the hospital, but I'm Kendal. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine." Jackie stood up and shook Kendal's hand.
He turned toward me. "Give me your ticket and I'll go see what I can do to get us together."
"No, just take my seat." Jackie pulled out her ticket. "Dana and I are sitting together already. We'll all check in together and the two of you can fit in our seats and I'll take the lone wolf seat."
"No, you don't have to do that." I glanced over at Jackie. She was far too good of a friend. I hadn't even had to beg her with my eyes to help me and Kendal end up sitting together.
"Yes I do. You'll owe me a favor in the future and those are priceless!" She smiled and sat back down. "Besides, I like to read on flights."
"Sounds good to me." Kendal turned to face me, his dark green eyes moving across my face. "How was your week? As miserable as mine?"
"It was okay." I reached out and brushed something off of his chest, just looking for a reason to touch him as often as I could. Eight months. Just eight short months and we could be fully together.
A voice came over the loud speaker with the announcement that our flight would begin boarding now. Jackie got up and we moved into line, my friend in front of me and the sexiest man in the whole damn building behind me.
"It's about to get much better." Kendal moved up behind me and slid his free hand around my waist, pulling me flush against him. The thickness of his arousal surprised me a little. A thrill of desire rolled around deep inside of me, warming me from the inside out. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to the back of my hair. "I've had a million dreams this week and you were in every one of them."
I pressed back against him and cupped my hand over his, forcing him to hold me tighter. "What are we doing?"
"I plan on showing you." He nipped at my ear before moving back.
Chill bumps raced across my skin and the air seemed so damn hard to breathe all of a sudden.
"Next!" The attendant in front of me reached for my ticket and lifted her eyebrow at me.
I stumbled toward her and tried to keep my cool. It was going to be a long weekend, but I for one was more than ready for it. I'd been playing it safe for far too long and my life was a clear reflection of security. Time to up the ante and see what the return might look like.
If nothing else, pleasure would be my reward.