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“We couldn’t have done it without you, you know that, right?” Jana searches my eyes and I just shrug in response. Somehow this feedback, which would have meant the world to me months ago, seems irrelevant now.
With a last weak smile and a general wave to the rest of the team, some of whom proceed to pull me into hugs, I drag myself out of the bar to the sidewalk. I call an Uber, too tired to make my way home via the subway.
My phone vibrates in my hand and I glance down. A message from Hunter.
How was your day? How did the hearing go?
I smile as my heart skips a beat in pure joy at having reconnected with him. And he’s not in bed yet; he might even be up for a chat. We won. It sucks.
He sends an LMAO face. Why do you say that? Thought the object was to win.
Not in my book, I type. Not anymore. I don’t want to talk work right now. I’m done. What are you up to?
Planning a delivery to your house. Can you send me your address?
Hmm… what could that be. Flowers? God, imagine that. I type my address and send it to him, my heart already blooming a bit more with love.
Are you home yet? he asks.
No, just dodged the work party. I’m on my way home, waiting for my Uber. At least forty more minutes by the look of it. Traffic is insane. Maybe I should have taken the subway.
There is a long pause in which he is online but doesn’t respond, but then he starts typing again.
Okay. I’ll see if I can have the package delivered to your place in time. I’d love you to have it tonight already.
Now you have me tickled pink I type and send the message off with a grin. Imagine being spoilt by Hunter. When we were teenagers, he loved to spoil me. The mere idea sends my pulse aflutter. What’s he getting up to this time? The only thing I can think of is a food delivery or something similar at this time of night.
I’d like to have you tickled more than that tbh.
Ooh… sexting with Hunter. I hope that’s going to be a thing. But first I need to talk to him. Face to face, even if it’s through a screen. Will you still be awake when I get home? I need to talk to you. Where it’s quiet and we can’t be interrupted. I know it will be late I add. Probably after midnight on his side by the time I get home.
I’d love to talk to you too. Sure, I can wait. Just call when you get home. I’ll be waiting up. Love you.
I bite my lip as I reread his last words. Love you. God, this man is digging deeper into my heart with each little message and token of love. Hunter is one of those who shows love through doing things for others. I love you too I send back and look up as a vehicle drives up to where I’m waiting at the allotted Uber spot.
I double-check the license plate, clamber in with a greeting to the driver, and buckle up for the drive home. For a moment I close my eyes, starting to work on my mental to-do list of all the things that need to fall in place over the next few months.
A shake to the arm and the driver calling my name rattles me awake. “Ah crap, sorry, I nodded off.”
The driver smiles at me. “No worries, we’re here.”
“Yes, thank you.” I step out of the car and ruffle my hair, probably totally bed-headed with the nap I took. I even managed to drool onto my jacket. Nice.
I check the time. It’s just shy of nine o’clock. At least it won’t be too late for Hunter if he powered through the past forty minutes without passing out like I did. I walk into the foyer of my apartment block, heading for the elevator lobby with a wilted wave at the night security guard who sits at the reception desk. He nods and points towards the waiting area, where in my peripheral view, a man is standing up from a sofa. I turn and my heart bungee jumps to my stomach, just to shoot back up and pound in my throat.
“Hunter?”
He steps up to me, the biggest bunch of yellow roses in his hands. “Thirteen years late, but here I am.”
“Oh my God—” I burst into tears as we close the gap and he gathers me into his arms.
“Hey, Bee,” he murmurs as I push my face into his neck, too overcome to even try and contain the floodgate. His chest shudders against my breasts as he battles his own emotions.
“I can’t believe you’re here. Actually here,” I murmur between sobs.
“And I’m here to stay, if you’ll have me,” he whispers back. “I took a leap of faith.”
I laugh through my tears and finally our lips meet. Our kiss is soft and sweet and perfect and all I can do is lean deeper into him. When we eventually pull away, there is more between us than just a teary reunion. Hunter still hugs me close but whispers in my ear, his breath teasing the sensitive skin all along my neck. “I’m not keen to give the security guard more of a show than he’s already had.”
