“Do I?” asks a slightly muffled Charlie.
“You do.” I secure the scarf in place.
“Now what?” Charlie asks with a hint of whine in his voice.
“Now, I give Lettie a proper greeting.”
“Wait! I wanted to watch.” He’s straight-up whining now.
“Charlie,” Lettie calls as I take her hand and pull her to a private corner of the parking lot. “Shut up!”
After four months of waiting, I open my arms and Lettie jumps into them.
I lift her off the ground and twirl her around.
“Liam!” she squeals and giggles. I can feel her laughter against my chest and it thaws something deep inside of me.
In the background Charlie squawks, “What’s happening?
I set Lettie down gently. She places a mittened hand on my chest. Even through all our cold weather layers her deliberate touch does something to me.
“It’s you,” She whispers. “You’re here. In real life.”
“I am.” She’s smiling up at me in wonder, her cheeks rosy with the cold.
“Lettie... ” I breathe out her name, I had no idea I could feel such gladness.
“Liam... ” she says my name like it means something. Her mittened hand reaches the back of my head. With a determined glint in her eyes, she gently nudges my face toward her, demanding a kiss. I am happy to oblige. I lower my mouth; she meets me halfway. We both pause for an instant, appreciating the zing of first contact. Then I pull her closer and she deepens the kiss. In a flash, everything turns hot and passionate and volatile. All the white world melts away until it is just Lettie and me. Me and Lettie. We are wholly absorbed in giving and taking, celebrating and cherishing, discovering and delighting the other. She pulls away far too soon, leaving me wanting more.
“We’ll do more catching up later,” she says with a mischievous grin.
“Hey! I’m still here!” gripes Charlie standing alone at the other end of the parking lot.
“Let’s take him to his bride,” concedes Lettie. The two of us guide him blindfolded through the snow to the exact spot on the bridge Jane and the photographer deem perfect for photos. Lettie hustles off to attend to Jane. With Charlie’s back to Jane, I’m given the green light to unwrap his blindfold.
“How’s my hair?” he asks.
“Same as it always is.”
“How was the kiss?”
“None of your business.”
“It is a little bit,” he says with a smug grin. “Jane and I planned this so you two would get some time together this morning.”
“Really?”
“We didn’t need either of you to drive us. We could have had the photographer drive with me blindfolded.”
“Well then... thank you,” I say, and I mean it. “You’re a very good friend.”
“I’m well aware,” says Charlie.
Lettie crosses to our side of the bridge.
“Keep your back turned until Jane taps your shoulder.” She admonishes Charlie.
“Sheesh, one mistake, and everyone acts like I can’t follow instructions,” he grumbles.
