Package Deal

Package Deal
Two days later, Reggie was performing mental gymnastics, trying to see if he could shift some of his work responsibilities, but sadly, that would not be possible. He rolled out of bed and stumbled towards the bathroom.
“Holy shit,” he mumbled as he caught his reflection in the mirror. The lack of sleep from Arianna’s thunderous snoring was finally catching up to him. He had heavy bags under his eyes, and he resembled his father after he went on a work bender.
Reggie recalled the first night he spent with Arianna. He was on the brink of sleep when his eyes flew open due to the loud snores emanating from his new friend. She sounded like a bear in the woods. Reggie gently shook Arianna to see if she would quiet down, but it had the opposite effect. Reggie kept shaking her until she sleepily mumbled to turn her on her stomach. Reggie immediately flipped Arianna over like a flapjack and was amazed when the snoring ceased.
“I need to invest in some earplugs,” he mumbled as he relieved himself.
Twenty minutes later, Reggie was surprised to see she had woken and was browsing the room service menu.
“Good morning, Reg. Do you know what you want for breakfast?” Arianna yawned from behind the menu.
“Just get me whatever you’re getting.”
Arianna placed the food order and tried to ignore Reggie’s hands that were massaging her shoulders. It took everything in her power not to moan on the phone.
“Can we talk?” Arianna asked once she hung up the phone.
“About?” Reggie questioned.
“I’m ready to give you my answer about the long-distance thing.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“I spoke with my school counselor the other day and confirmed they have a campus in Austin, Texas.”
“Meaning?”
“You’re a little slow in the morning, aren’t you?” Arianna giggled.
“I’m not slow. I just want you to say it.”
“Fair enough. Meaning...if things are going favorably between us...I do not mind exploring the possibility of transferring schools and moving back to Texas after a year.”
“I guess I have to ensure things will continue to go favorably between us,” Reggie replied with a smile on his face.
“Oh, and you must earn Legs’ love. We’re a package deal.”
“Then you might as well stay here. Your cat hates me,” Reggie replied with a pout.
“He doesn’t hate you. He just needs to get to know you,” Arianna giggled as she climbed onto Reggie’s lap.
“Are you seriously considering moving if we delve into a relationship?”
“Yes, I will seriously consider it. The pamphlets are in my backpack if you don’t believe me.”
“I believe you. Should I call you when I get home?”
“You better.”
Arianna and Reggie spent the next several minutes in each other’s warm embrace. They would save the tearful goodbyes for when he checked out and drove himself to the airport.

Eight Months Later

“Ava, what are you doing here?” Reggie’s general manager asked.
“I came to pick Reggie up,” Arianna greeted with a large smile.
“But he’s expecting to fly out to San Francisco this afternoon to meet you.”
“The plan has changed. Don’t tell him I’m here. I’ll be waiting in his office.”
Arianna entered Reggie’s office and threw her purse on the couch. She shedded her fleece jacket and hung it on the coat rack. Reggie would arrive to work any moment, and she couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise on his face when he arrived.
Arianna smiled when her eyes landed on the framed picture of the two of them on the wall. Arianna was in town for a week, and instead of lounging around at Reggie’s house, bored out of her mind all day, Arianna decided to shadow Reggie at work. She sold her first car, and her boyfriend couldn’t be prouder. They took a picture together in front of the brand new Audi SUV. Arianna, of course, followed in her boyfriend’s footsteps and gifted her commission to the other car sales associates.
Arianna’s phone buzzed in her back pocket, and she already knew who it was.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, sweetheart. What are you doing?”
“I’m preparing for your arrival. What time does your flight arrive again?”
“4:30 PM.”
“The traffic will be wonderful,” Arianna drawled sarcastically.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t catch an earlier flight.”
“That’s alright. Your Halloween costume arrived.”
“I’m nervous,” Reggie confessed.
“Why?” Arianna giggled.
“Because I have no idea what you plan on us being. I just pray it won’t be embarrassing.”
“It won’t be. I promise you.”
“Okay...I’m trusting you.”
“As you should. In other news, I miss you and can’t wait to see you.”
“I miss you, too. I have a feeling the day is going to drag on forever.”
“A little bit of optimism will go a long way,” Arianna reminded Reggie.
The couple spoke for the next twenty minutes until Reggie arrived in the parking lot. “I love you, Ava. I’ll see you soon.”
“I love you too, Reginald. I’ll see you very soon.”
Arianna launched herself onto Reggie’s desk and furrowed her eyebrows at the incoming call from Patrick. She sent him to voicemail and made a mental note to call him later. Arianna and Patrick have kept up regularly over the past ten months since she moved to California. They would speak at least once a month, but tried to shoot for twice a month. They would update each other on their lives, and Patrick would give Arianna updates on Pierce, who was apparently doing very well. According to Patrick, Pierce wasn’t dating anyone; however, he spent most of his free time volunteering by teaching financial literacy classes to underprivileged and minority communities. Pierce continued therapy and even rescued a Beagle puppy named “Bum.”
Patrick confessed that every once in a blue moon, Pierce would mention her in passing. He wondered if she was safe, but unfortunately, Patrick couldn’t do much to ease his friend’s anxieties without telling on himself. Arianna felt terrible, and there were several times when she found herself penning a letter to Pierce, only to sign her name, ball up the letter, and toss it in the trash.
Arianna returned to reality once she heard footsteps outside of the office door. She happily kicked her legs back and forth while she waited for Reggie to enter.
“Oh, you’re absolutely foul for this,” Reggie laughed once he entered his office to find his girlfriend sitting on top of his desk.
“Don’t be mad,” Arianna said with a slight pout.
“I’m livid,” Reggie replied, placing his briefcase on the desk.
“Lemme make it up to you,” Arianna whispered.
Arianna didn’t have to wait long to feel her man’s lips on hers. She giggled once he snatched her off the desk and carted her to the couch. Arianna began popping Reggie’s feverish hands that were attempting to tug her jeans off.
“No, sir. We have cars to sell.”