Charlie
My week in Hawaii was over. It had been a fantastic time. I made friends with a few people in the hostel and we hung out a little. They were nothing close to Nixon though. All the things I’d done without him—surfing lessons, scuba diving, visiting Pearl Harbor—he would have loved all of it. It made me sad that I could only show him photos and videos. Sure, we laughed about it on Skype, but it wasn’t the same.
I missed my man.
As I stepped into the airport, I checked the board and noticed flights for LAX. It was tempting to go back home, but I’d already paid for my next flight. I couldn’t turn back after such a short time.
Dumping my pack on the ground, I pulled out my phone, hoping for a little inspiration. Nixon had been with me daily, keeping me on track and living my dream.
I wanted him beside me, but I knew I couldn’t type that. He had plans and parents to deal with. New York was waiting.
With a sniff, I reread his last text, then grinned when my phone dinged with a new one. Opening it up, I read the words and frowned.
Travel challenge—Day 7: Find the best-looking guy in the airport and ask him to travel the next leg with you. Trust me, it’ll be a fun adventure.
Love you always xx
With a snort, I shook my head and read the message again.
He wanted me to what?
That couldn’t be right. I wasn’t going off with some good-looking guy.
“You are batshit crazy, Holloway,” I mumbled, trying to figure out the perfect comeback.
Looking up, I scanned my surroundings for inspiration and then froze.
I found him—the good-looking guy I was supposed to travel with.
A burst of laughter shot out of me so fast and loud I scared the man walking past me.
He gave me an odd look and hurried by, but I couldn’t even apologize.
All I could do was stand in shock as my dreams fell perfectly into place.
Nixon stood across from me, a dopey smile on his face. He was in jean shorts and a black T-shirt, looking like the ultimate tourist with the overstuffed pack at his feet. His hair was product-free and flopped across his forehead.
He’d never looked sexier.
And I didn’t think twice.
Leaving my pack against the wall, I ran across the space and straight into his arms. He caught me with a laugh while I let out an excited scream and wrapped my legs around his waist. My flip-flops fell off but I didn’t even care. Nixon held me tight and met my hungry lips with a grin.
Cupping my ass, he kissed me solidly while I wrapped my arms around his neck.
In need of air, I pulled back and squeezed his shoulders. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for a travel buddy.” He winked and I kissed him again.
“I can’t believe it.” I finally breathed, running my fingers into his hair and wanting to get lost in those brown eyes of his. “How? When did you…? I…”
He laughed at my speechlessness, placing me back on the floor and grabbing his pack so we could walk back to mine. I shoved my flip-flops back on and took his hand while we walked to my pack.
“Thing is, Charlie Watson, I’m miserable without you. What’s the point of going to New York when I feel that way? I never really wanted to be a lawyer.”
My eyes bulged. “What did your parents say?”
“Well, they haven’t cut me off.” He shrugged.
“Bet they’re still not happy about it.”
“Does it even matter?” He cupped my face, his fingers curling into my blue hair. “All I want is to be with you. To see the world, with you. All this time, you didn’t think you could fit into my world. And maybe you can’t. But I can fit into yours.” His eyes burned with conviction. “We’re good for each other. You bring out the best in me. I want you. I need you.” The edge of his mouth lifted with a smile. “You think you’re a flight risk, but I know how to handle that now.”
My forehead wrinkled.
His smile grew. “I’ll just chase you. I should have chased you four years ago. I’m not making that mistake again. You fly, I fly.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “No matter who you’re with or what you’re doing, there’s no other place on Earth I’d rather be than right beside you.”
I’d never loved him more.
Tears glassed my eyes while he was talking. I gave in to them, letting them trickle down my cheeks as I let out a giddy laugh. Wrapping my arms around him, I rose to my tiptoes and hugged him tight. It was such a relief to know I wouldn’t have to let go for a long time to come. Cupping the back of my head, he held me against him and I closed my eyes, this warm kind of joy buzzing through my entire body.
“So…” Nixon brushed his nose across my cheek. “Where are you taking me?”
I giggled and pulled back to look at him. “New Zealand.”
“Nice.” His eyebrows rose. “I’ve always wanted to go there.”
I giggled again. Geez, I sounded like a fourteen-year-old girl, but I couldn’t help it. I was standing in Nixon’s arms and those plans…those dreams that we came up with in Yosemite were finally coming true.
“Well, as much as I want to stand here kissing you all day, why don’t we go see if we can squeeze me onto a flight?”
“I can rebook mine.”
“Or I can meet you in New Zealand.”
“Forget it.” I frowned. “I’d rather sleep on a dirty airport floor for the next three days than have to leave you again. I am so over that!”
Nixon grinned and brushed his lips across mine. “You’ll never have to do it again. No more goodbyes for us.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
And he sealed it with a kiss.