" Keith." I breathe out, grabbing both their attention.
There's tension in the air, I don't know what both men are thinking, it's unnerving. London is tense beside me and I don't have to guess about Keith. I just wish there was something I could do to get them talking.
Conflict, yelling and violence doesn't sit well with me, I don't like it. Maybe I should make the first move.
Yes, I should.
Taking a breath, I prepare to speak when Keith starts towards us and I meet him halfway, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head against his chest.
We didn't leave things on a good note in the morning and I did miss him.
His hold on me tightens, just as he kisses the top of my head.
" Introduce me to your friend angel." I lean back, looking up at him in confusion.
"Your friend Angel." He repeats, gesturing to London, who stands leaned against the wall.
"O-Kay." I step out of his hold, standing between the two men.
" Keith, this is London, my friend and neighbour." I introduce Keith as he'd requested, still not understanding where he's going with this.
Keith shows no emotion as he holds out his hand to a frowning London." London, this is Keith my husband."
" And the love of her life." Keith adds.
Looking at London, he too shows no emotion but holds out his hand, grabbing Keith's for a short handshake.
" I'm the best friend. " London says, pulling his hand back.
" Um Keith- ."
" As her friend, I trust that you will look after her if I'm not present, respect her and remind every other asshole out there that she's indeed married and in love."
" Of course." London nods, staring into his eyes.
" Oh and you'll respect our relationship." Keith adds.
London's jaw works, averting his eyes to the floor." I care and love buttercup." He looks up again, his eyes now moving over to me." She's important to me, her happiness is my happiness, I respect her. Therefore I respect your marriage." His eyes snap to Keith at the last sentence.
" Good, we move forward, everything passed." Keith says.
My eyes moisten in happiness and a big smile lits my face at what's happening in front of me. This is what I wanted.
I know it must be hard for Keith but he's doing this, for me and I couldn't fall in love with him more. I can't help but launch myself at them, pecking each of their cheeks, totally surprising them.
" Stay like that and let me have my mental picture." I chirp up happily, clapping my hands.
London chuckles, shaking his head." I have to go buttercup, I've got some packing to do."
My smile slips off my face, being reminded of him leaving tomorrow.
" You come see me tomorrow, no leaving without- ."
" I promise," he says, with a small smile.
"Good."
His eyes move between Keith and I , before he walks off, leaving Keith and I alone. Once he's out of view, I'm pulled into a chest.
" I missed you," he murmurs.
" I missed you too and I'm sorry."
" No, you were right and that's what I want to talk to you about."
"Oh?" I lean back to look up at him.
" Yeah I- ."
" Kea come back already, we have things to do!" Theresa says, right at the door, trailing off when she sees Keith." Oh hello - I didn't- ."
" That's okay, I just came by to wish my lovely wife good night." He says, his eyes moving between Theresa and I.
"Oh okay, I'll just start picking out a movie." She disappears right after, leaving us alone.
" Um, what were you going to say?"
" You know what, it's not that important right now."
" Are you sure, I don't mind- ."
" No sweetheart, when we actually talk, I don't want there to be any disturbances, I want privacy."
"As long as you're sure. Whatever you have to say, is of importance to me." I tell him, bringing his hand to my lips.
" I'm sure. Now go enjoy your girl time."
I nod, letting go of his hand and turning away from him, only to be pulled back." Wait, wait."
" Yeah?"
"I just need to do something first." He doesn't give me time to guess when he pulls me closer, bringing his lips down to mine for a sweet and toe curling kiss.
"Satisfied? " I breathe out, when he leans back.
" Not yet," he gives me a few pecks, before leaning back." Okay I'm done."
I chuckle at his actions." You're acting as if you'll never see me again?"
" I miss you the minute I turn my back, I need all the kisses I can get," he says.
My heart melts at his words.
" Well in that case, I'll send you a kiss every morning."
" right when I wake up, during breakfast, lunchtime, before I go to a meeting."
I gape at him.
" That's a lot of kisses."
" Well maybe I should join you to my hip then," he wiggles his brows at me.
"Don't be silly." I say in between giggles. " Okay I really need to go."
"Maybe I should just kidnap you, we'll make an excuse to your friend on the way."
" Stop it." I warn smiling.
" Alright alright - but just one more." He says, leaning in for another kiss.
I sigh against his lips.
"Go." I breathe out.
" I'm leaving." He says, making no move to do so.
" No you're not." I argue against his forehead.
" I am."
" Then do it."
" Why don't you do it?"
" Okay." I take a step back.
"You left me!" He gasps, placing his hand against his chest, in a dramatic manner.
" You told me to!" I say incredulously.
" I didn't mean it." He almost whines.
I quickly peck his cheek, walking away before he can get ahold of me.
" I'm hounding you for my morning kiss!" He calls after me, making me giggle while I disappear into my apartment.
I lean my back against the door, sighing in contentment. If I were a cartoon character, I'd have hearts floating around me.
" Now that's a girl in love." Theresa suddenly says, surprising me.
" Oh really?"
" Yeah. I can see all invisible hearts around you. Now come on lover girl, let's continue on." That's what I said.
I nod, following after her with a smile, one that'll be hard to wipe off.
A girl in love I am.
******
Tears threaten to come out as I stand in the middle of the airport, about to say goodbye to London. I had refused to just say goodbye from my doorstep, that's why I'm here.
I want to see him off.
Being here makes it all the more real that he's leaving, and as hard as it is, I understand where he's coming from.
He needs time to himself, to think and deal with things on his own.
He has feelings for me, he'd told me and true to his word, he's respecting my marriage. I just hope he won't stay away for long, because he's become such a huge impact in my life.
" Well this is it." He says, placing his bag beside him.
" I don't want you to go, but I know you have to." I say.
" Yeah, but I'll be back," he reassures me.
" Good." His flight is then announced.
"Will you be okay?" I ask.
" I will." He nods.
" Okay, well I should not keep you." I say, shifting on my heel.
" Come here buttercup." He opens his arms .
I rush over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.
" Call me if you need anything, I'll answer."He tells me.
"Okay." I nod against his chest.
" Take care of yourself Buttercup. Knowing that you're safe keeps me at peace." I step back and out of his arms.
"Goodbye." He says, taking a step back.
"Bye." I mouth, watching him take a few steps back before turning away and walking off.
I sigh, staying rooted on the spot, watching his retreating back for a while, till he disappears out of view and I'm left watching strangers pass by.
Finally turning around and walking off, I yelp in surprise when someone slams in my shoulder.
" Sorry." I mumble, glancing over my shoulder at the tall guy, with Silver white hair.
As if he senses me looking at him, he quickly glances over his shoulder, dark eyes connecting with mine, before he turns back around, walking off.
" Weird." I mumble, continuing on my way.
" Ready?" Joey asks me.
" Yeah." I say, rubbing at a spot on my shoulder, it's itching for some reason.
Hours later.....
" Okay, I have to say, it wasn't that bad." James says as we walk out of the theatre, after Lizzie's concert.
A wonderful story told of a young woman's journey to success, meeting hurdles, friends and love along the way. Inspirational indeed and the girl is the sweetest, along with her parents.
" Well would you go again?" I ask.
" Maybe. Hey wanna grab something to eat?" He asks, right on the top of the outside stairs.
"Um no thank you, but you can, I don't mind."
" Are you sure, I mean you haven't really eaten for the whole day."
" I ate a fruit salad, so I'm fi-," I stagger a bit, a wave of dizziness taking over.
" Hey you're okay?" He asks, his hands on my shoulders keeping me upright.
" Yeah, I don't know what that was but it's gone." I say, quite surprised that just happened.
" I know what it is, it's demanding food." He says, taking my hand in his and leading me down to his car, not giving me any chance to protest.
My phone rings, just as we reach his car.
Taking it out and checking the called ID, it's Keith. He probably wants another kiss.
I snicker at that, answering the phone.
"Why didn't you tell me that your life might be in danger?!" He yells through the phone, making me jump and almost drop my phone.
" Keith!" I warn breathlessly.
He takes a breath before speaking again." Are you with your friend now?"
"Yes."
" Tell him to bring you to my office, now." He demands, hanging up right after.
I frown, looking down at my phone.
" Everything alright?" James asks.
" I don't know. " I look up at him over the car roof. " Change of plans, please take me to Keith's workplace."