"Then why do we try?" I picked up my bag and moved up to stand at the front of the line. A handsome, frat-boy type called us toward him to check-in.
"Because they're so pretty to look at?" Casey giggled and dropped her bag in front of the counter before glancing toward me. "Am I right?"
"Spot on." I pulled out my credit card and played along as he flirted his way into talking us into an upgrade on our dining package. Little did he know that it was far more about the culinary treats and less about the twinkle in his eyes that sold me.
Chapter 6
Easton
It was best to leave the girls behind on the plane. I didn't want any further connection to the lovely woman that was sure to haunt my dreams that night. My career was first and foremost in my life. Getting involved with anyone, especially a girl still in college, wasn't going to happen. I glanced down at my phone, contemplating deleting the number her ballsy friend had typed in, but decided against it. I didn't have to call her, and without her having my number, there was no way we would connect again without me initiating it.
"Easton! Wait up, dude." Kevin's voice surprised me as I moved through the terminal toward baggage claim. The guy wasn't supposed to be in Miami until later that day.
"Hey, Kev. What are you doing here?" I glanced around idly, not looking for Viv and yet very much looking for her.
"I got on that flight with you. You must have scored first class or something." He snorted and ran his chubby fingers over his balding head. "The sandwich they served was horrible. Far too dry for my liking."
"They had mayonnaise that you could have used." I gave him a sideways glance as we paused by the baggage turn style.
"There's no need to add sauce of
any sort to a properly made sandwich." Kevin rubbed his protruding belly and gave me a cocky smile. "I'm the food critic, remember? Stick with me, and you'll never have a bad meal."
I awarded him a short chuckle, grabbed my bag and glanced back at him. "Are you headed to La Mage now?"
"Yeah. Let's grab a cab together. Maybe we can chat about the various events coming up this week. I want to try and hit most of them if you're up for it." He wrestled his over-sized bag to his side and nodded toward the door. "You grab the cab. I'll meet you there in a minute. I need to go to the bathroom. Actually, can you drag my bag with you?"
I took a sharp breath and nodded, wanting very much to be a dick, but knowing it would do no good. "Yeah. I'll see you out there."
"Good man." He winked and walked off as my eyes moved across the hordes of people that walked from the main terminal to the baggage claim area. Viv was nowhere in sight, but some part of me wanted one more encounter with her. It was silly and rather childish, but I couldn't help but stand there for a few, elongated minutes.
Turning on my heel, I walked languidly to the exit and moved to the line of yellow cabs, getting behind the ten people who were waiting, their voices a chorus of excitement. I couldn't remember the last time I was on vacation, and I wasn't now either. The feeling of anticipation was almost dead inside of me, but contemplating running into the cute girl from my flight left it swirling in the pit of my stomach.
"Damn," I growled and turned back to watch the door. Maybe I should just go back in and wait for her. A drink wouldn't hurt anything. A night of dancing? Making love until the morning and letting her go? It doesn't have to be a relationship, right?
"Next!" A gruff voice called from behind me, and surprisingly, I turned to find the line gone.
"Right. Thanks. I'm headed downtown to La Mage." I worked to help the guy get my and Kevin's bags in the back of the car. "My co-worker is–”
"Right here." Kevin moved up beside the car and got in without offering to help with the bags.
Typical ass.
"No problem, man. Get in, and I'll have you down there in a jiffy." The cab driver closed the trunk and moved to his side of the car.
I paused and glanced back over my shoulder before giving up on having one more chance encounter with Vivian.
After getting in the car, I worked on my seatbelt and turned to find Kevin watching me with uncomfortable intensity.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. Just wondering why you're not married. Seems weird to me." He shrugged and worked to get something out of his teeth.
I adverted my attention from him and leaned back in the seat, turning my head to watch the people walk from the airport building. "I just haven't found the right girl. Forever is a long time."
"Ahhh, so you're a romantic who believes in true love and such. Not at all the type of guy I pegged you to be." He chuckled.
I turned my head toward him. "No? And what kind of guy did you peg me to be?"