Chapter 24 You came to pick up
Okay, so I am totally flying First Class all the time. It is just awesome, and you get so well looked after. I had two glasses of champagne on the plane and they give you them for free! I’m currently feeling a little fizzy happy.
I’m off the plane and just going through customs, and glad I wore one of my loose-fitting skater skirts to travel in as it’s boiling here in London.
The skirt I’m wearing is black; it’s respectably long serious long, well a few inches above the knee but still very smart, and I’m wearing my three-quarter length sleeved sweatshirt, but the material is thin so it’s not too bad in this heat, and I’m wearing my gold ballet shoes. Flats, I don’t wear them often, but ideal for traveling in.
I wanted to look nice, as it’s the first time I’m seeing Natte in two weeks, and quite possibly meeting the other guys in the band. I get a fizz of excitement running through my bloodstream at the very thought.
I’m through customs pretty quickly, and then on to retrieve my suitcase. While I’m waiting for my suitcase, I get my phone out and switch
on.
then call Pine.
“Hey baby.” He sounds all deep and lovely. “You got there okay?”
“I did. I’m just waiting for my case now.”
“So how is London so far?”
“Hot.”
He laughs. “I miss you already.”
“Miss you too.”
“You still wearing your bracelet?”
I touch my wrist. “Of course.”
“Good.”
I spot my suitcase making its way around the conveyor. “My case is coming so I’m gonna go. I’ll call you later. Love you.”
“Okay baby. Love you too.”
I hang my phone up and just catch my suitcase in time, before it sets off to make the journey back around. Then I head toward arrivals. I spot Dave immediately, and am so relieved it’s him waiting for me.
“Hi,” I say.
“Good flight?” he asks, in his super deep voice, taking my suitcase from me.
“It was awesome,” I beam.
He looks at me a little puzzled. My cheeks flush. He’s probably used to the whole first-class thing working for Natte.
“The car’s just outside.”
I follow Dave through the airport and over to a brand-new black Mercedes, presumably a hire, parked up in one of the drop-off and pick-up bays. The windows are heavily tinted on the car. I guess they have to be for when Natte’s traveling in it. Dave parks my suitcase at the side of the car and gets my door for me.
“Thank you,” I say climbing in, and then my heart nearly leaps out of my chest.
Natte is sitting in the backseat of the car, waiting for me, a huge smile on his face.
“Hey!” I beam at him. The door shuts with a clunk behind me and then without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
His arms go around me, hugging me back, just as tight I notice. And for this brief, momentary hug, all I can do is breathe him in. His scent soothes through me just like Pine’s, and I feel like I’m home.
I didn’t realize just how much I was missing him until this very moment. Or maybe I just didn’t allow myself to feel it for fear of how I would feel like how I do, right now, here in his arms. Just so completely overwhelmed by the emotion and level of feelings I have for this man.
“I can’t believe you came to pick me up!” I say, still beaming a smile as I release him.
Natte lets me go but keeps me close, taking hold of my hand. Once again, my skin simmers under his touch. I wonder if I’ll ever stop feeling like this when he brushes against me. A big part of me hopes not.
“Well, I’m glad I did now, if it meant getting a welcome like that,” he grins. He’s being all flirty again. “I was just hanging around the hotel, so I thought I’d come … sorry I couldn’t come into the airport to meet you … you know,” he shrugs.
“I know.” He’d have probably been recognized and mobbed in ten seconds flat. It must be pretty hard being a prisoner of your own success, never able to go anywhere alone. A simple thing like walking through an airport would probably mean the world to him if he were able to do it.
Dave gets in the driver’s seat, turns the engine on, and the radio comes to life. I pull my seat belt on using one hand, as Natte doesn’t seem willing to let go of my other one.
“How was your flight?” Natte asks as we start moving out of the airport.
“It was awesome, thanks to you. Did you know you get free champagne in first class? Of course you know …” I peter off at his amused expression.
“You make me laugh.” He squeezes my hand, rubbing his thumb over my skin, continuously leaving a delicious trail wherever it goes.
“In a good way, I hope?”
“Always in a good way.” He turns his head to the side, directing a fixed look at me. I shiver inside, looking away.
We’re quiet for a moment before Natte says anything more.
“So I spoke to your dad last week.”
“You did!” My face nearly cracks with the smile on it.
His lips quirk up at the corner. “Yeah, he called to thank me for the donation…” He lifts an eyebrow.
“What?!” I say innocently. “You never said it was a secret. You just said you didn’t want him thinking you were a flashy bastard—and he didn’t.” I push my lips out into a pout.
He shakes his head, laughing at my expression.
“So you talked?” I probe.
“We did. It was good to talk to him after all these years. He’s still just the same.”
“You talked music?”
“Of course.” He slides me an amused look. “So I brought something for you,” he says, changing tact.
He reaches into his jean pocket, pulling something out. I recognize it instantly. It’s the bracelet I made him for his last birthday with me before he left all those years ago. It’s a little frayed, the white, black, and blue fabric faded slightly.
“I can’t believe you actually kept it.” My words come out in a breath.
“You thought I was lying?” He screws his face up.
“No! I’m just surprised … hang on.” I let go of his hand and reach forward into my bag in the footwell, unzipping the inside pocket to get what I’m looking for. My friendship bracelet.
I brought mine with me too. I put it in my carry-on; I didn’t want it in my suitcase in case it got lost in transit. This bracelet is irreplaceable, so I wanted it safe. I don’t know why I brought it—we hadn’t arranged to. I guess I just hoped he would have his with him too. And he has. I can’t believe it.
“I brought mine too,” I say holding my hand out, showing it to him. Mine is exactly the same as his.