The truth is I don’t deserve either of them. I left Declan without an explanation and without a clue I was bailing on him–on us. Finn deserved the best woman in the world, and I’m jaded. I fell in love with a rock and roll, tattooed bad boy that promised me forever. When Finn said he would wait for me, I knew then he knew the truth. I belonged to Declan and couldn’t run from my feelings if I tried. Even if he has moved on this summer with me gone, I have to get over him before I think about another relationship.
I’m in such a daze getting off the plane in Atlanta I don’t notice anyone around me. A few people bump into me trying to rush to their connectors, but I’m numb.
All of the sudden, a chill runs through my body. It’s him. I look all around until I’m frozen by the most beautiful pair of piercing green eyes. Declan’s leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed watching me.
Everything I have in my hands and on my arms falls to the ground. My bags spill all over the terminal and my water goes everywhere. People jump back, but I don’t move. I’m frozen looking at the man who means so much to me. I’ve dreamed for weeks what it would be like when I saw him again and at this moment my world tilts on an axis. I’m no longer in a busy airport with people rushing around. Right now, it’s only us looking at each other with love and hurt. His hair is a mess and he’s grown a semi-beard. He’s sizing me up with an intense stare.
“Excuse me, Miss, are you okay?” a stranger breaks in to help pick up my bag.
I snap out of my haze and lean down instantly to retrieve my things. When I reach for my phone, I feel the familiar warmth of his hand on mine. The spark between us causes a burning through my body. The stranger leaves as Declan puts the remaining items in my bag and helps me up.
Leading me out of the way into a small hallway meant for the staff he turns me to face him. Neither of us says anything for a few seconds until I can’t stand the silence. I throw myself into his arms and sob. He pulls me as close as possible and wraps me tightly into him. I didn’t think I had any tears left, but I cry silently into his chest.
“Are you really here? H-h-how did you find me?”
“Sparkle, did you think that the minute you landed on U.S. soil I wouldn’t be waiting for you? It didn’t matter, New York, LA, Miami–I would be right here with you. I’ve been counting down for the last fifty-five days.”
I compose myself enough to look up at his face. The moment our eyes meet, more tears slide down my cheeks. “You came for me. All this way?”
“Yes, baby, I came for you. If you weren’t so stubborn, I would have come to Paris to get to you, but I wanted to respect your wishes, and your parents talked me out of it. At least Atlanta was in driving distance.”
“But how did you get to the gate? How are you here with me in the terminal?”
“I talked the customer service agent into giving me a security pass so I could get to the gate and wait for you. I was petrified of trying to find you at baggage. I needed to see you the instant you got off the plane.”
“I’m sorry I broke down. I was shocked, and it’s been a long day.”
“I know, let’s go get your luggage and get through customs.” He laces his fingers through mine and leads us back into the crowd towards baggage claim.
“What about my flight back to Nashville?”
“I’m your new form of transportation.”
“You’re driving us back tonight? My parents are expecting me tonight.”
“Yes, I’m driving us, but not tonight. I already spoke to James and Jenna, and they expect you tomorrow afternoon. Tonight is for us.”
He helps me get my bags and waits for me to get through customs, which takes a while.
When we get outside, I shed my sweater immediately. August in Atlanta is sticky and thick. The humidity clings in the air and I think about the perfect weather Finn and I had this morning over breakfast. Of course then I didn’t know it was our last meal together for a while. My eyes sting again with tears.
“Baby, you okay?”
“Yes, I’m thinking about this morning before I left. Wait, you knew Finn was in Paris with me–how did you know I was coming home alone?”
He opens his trunk to put my bags in and turns to me. “Finn called me. He knew I was meeting you in Atlanta, and I guess he wanted to let me know you were alone.”
“What? When did you talk to him? I didn’t know until this morning when we got to the airport he was staying in Paris.”
Declan grabs my face in his hands gently and lowers his face to mine. “Sparkle, we have all night to talk and answer each other’s questions. But right now, I need to kiss you.”
He doesn’t wait for me to answer, he covers my mouth with his own and my body reacts on instinct. I lean into him. Our tongues swirl and dance. He lowers his hands to grip my hips, and I run my hands through his hair. The new facial hair rubs against me roughly, but I don’t stop. I put everything I have into this kiss. My body ignites with his and I feel a sense of desire I haven’t felt in over eight weeks. It feels right, it feels all-consuming, and it feels like home.
He runs his hands up my back and grabs the back of my head. He slows our kiss and reluctantly pulls away. I try to catch my breath but he keeps kissing my down my neck until he reaches my collarbone.
“Fuck I missed you. Please tell me you still feel it. Please tell me you feel the spark.”
I breathlessly nod my head.