Against my better judgment I had allowed Daniel to send me a ticket, which was why I was seated in first class. “Still is fine, thank you.”
Between the luxury seat, my ironed hair, and of course the bikini wax, I was in deeper than I’d imagined.
We’d messed around when I was twenty-one years old, and both lived a lifetime since then. He’d been married; I’d held an imaginary candle in complete contradiction to my mature demeanor. There was no reason either of us should still be carrying a flame for the other. Yet we did—I did. That much was clear when we began texting and calling every few days after he returned to the West Coast.
At first, he would send pranks, likeOuch, my knee is hurting!
My phone dinged as my still water arrived and I chanced a look, hoping and praying it wasn’t Daniel. I was nervous enough. Texting with him would only make it worse.
Did you get on the plane?
Sella. She’d been the one person I’d kept in touch with from college in Arizona, seeing one another at least once a year since I’d left for medical school.
Yes, I’m here.
You’re going to have the best time. The tension has been mounting for 20 years…
I took a sip of my water as the rest of the plane boarded, and wondered if I could get off.
Stop thinking so much. You’re not strangers. You are visiting an old friend.
It was as if Sella could read my mind from her home office in Las Vegas. While I ran to the East Coast after college, Sella stayed and got a real estate license in Nevada. She’d been a top producer since her first year, and I didn’t see her ever slowing down.
This is the wildest thing I’ve ever done.
It was. Despite my hot temper and fiery personality, I was a Goody-Two-Shoes, pragmatic, and weighed every decision. Everyone knew this about me.
It was a strange combination, my disposition combined with my list making. But it was me, nonetheless. It was also why I followed what my parents wanted and not what I’d dreamed about. And a small reason why I decided to take this trip.
Remember when we met Daniel? We were adventurous-ish. You’re successful and independent now. You can let up a little. Xo
I didn’t know how she knew what to say, but Sella quieted my mind for a minute and I relaxed back into my seat. The flight attendant collected my glass and I closed my eyes, allowing my mind to drift.
To Daniel, of course.
He’d been asking me to visit since the day he flew back to California. I’d resisted until I finally relented. Between Genie at work, and Sella, I didn’t have a choice.
Unable to stop the bombardment of thoughts, I stuck in earbuds and hit play on a meditation. Sadly, I played the damn thing on repeat, not reaping one benefit of the relaxation exercise, and I was as strung out as a giant string cheese upon departing the plane.
There he is.
Daniel stood in the baggage claim, wearing dark jeans and a navy cashmere sweater, sneakers, and Ray-Bans, holding a sign that read,Birdie.
Shaking my head, letting my hair fall loose after removing the scarf-like band, I realized my whole face was smiling. I could feel even my eyes squinting in delight, and none of it was forced.
“You’re here, inLa La Land, Birdie,” he said, pulling me in for an embrace.
I didn’t know something could feel new and unique while also seeming like an old comfort of home. Yet here I was, experiencing the strange dichotomy. “I’m here, and Wren is actually fine,” I whispered.
“Okay, Doc…but Birdie is cuter.”
I side-eyed him without saying a word.
“The real question is does Rourke know who you came to see without him?” Daniel asked as he flung his arm around my shoulder, stealing my suitcase with his free hand, and guided me out of the airport.
“He was not happy with me when I dropped him at Genie’s. She runs a tight ship and doesn’t allow him on the furniture, but I know she loves him and overfeeds him. Food is her love language.”
We strolled toward a parking area, Daniel’s arm still firmly entrenched over my shoulders. “And what’s yours?”
