Butterflies take flight in my stomach.
Me either. And I’m really going now. x
While I have my phone out, I quickly type out a text to Will letting him know I’m boarding and that I’ll call him when I land. Then a quick one to Simone saying pretty much the same.
I switch my phone off, drop it in my bag, hand my boarding pass to the guy waiting, and make my way onto the plane and to my First Class seat.
Okay, so I am totally flying First Class all the time. It is just awesome, and you get so well looked after. I had two glasses of champagne on the plane and they give you them for free!
I’m currently feeling a little fizzy happy.
I’m off the plane and just going through customs, and glad I wore one of my loose fitting skater shirts to travel in as it’s boiling here in Stockholm.
The skirt I’m wearing is blue with a gold chain print on it and longer than the black one I wore to Jake’s interview. It’s respectably long; serious writer long, well a few inches above the knee, but still very smart, and I’m wearing my three-quarter length sleeved sweatshirt, but the material is thin so it’s not too bad in this heat, and I’m wearing my gold ballet shoes.
Flats, I don’t wear them often, but ideal for travelling in.
I wanted to look nice, as it’s the first time I’m seeing Jake in two weeks, and quite possibly meeting the other guys in the band.
I get a fizz of excitement running through my bloodstream at the very thought.
I’m through customs pretty quickly, and then on to retrieve my suitcase.
While I’m waiting for my suitcase, I get my phone out and switch on roaming, then call Will.
“Hey baby.” He sounds all deep and lovely. “You got there okay?”
“I did. I’m just waiting for my case now.”
“So how is Sweden so far?”
“Hot.”
He laughs. “I miss you already.”
“Miss you too.”
“You still wearing your bracelet?”
I touch my wrist. “Of course.”
“Good.”
I spot my suitcase making its way around the conveyor. “My case is coming so I’m gonna go. I’ll call you later. Love you.”
“Okay baby. Love you too.”
I hang my phone up and just catch my suitcase in time, before it sets off to make the journey back around.
Then I head toward arrivals. I spot Dave immediately, and am so relieved it’s him waiting for me.
“Hi,” I say.
“Good flight?” he asks, in his super deep voice, taking my suitcase from me.
“It was awesome,” I beam.
He looks at me a little puzzled. My cheeks flush. He’s probably used to the whole first class thing working for Jake.
“The car’s just outside.”
I follow Dave through the airport and over to a brand-new black Mercedes SLK, presumably a hire, parked up in one of the drop-off and pick-up bays.
The windows are heavily tinted on the car. I guess they have to be for when Jake’s travelling in it.
Dave parks my suitcase at the side of the car and gets my door for me.
“Thank you,” I say climbing in, and then my heart nearly leaps out of my chest.
Jake is sitting in the backseat of the car, waiting for me, a huge smile on his face.
“Hey!” I beam at him. The door shuts with a clunk behind me and then without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
His arms go around me, hugging me back, just as tight I notice.
And for this brief, momentary hug, all I can do is breathe him in. His scent soothes through me, and I feel like I’m home.
I didn’t realise just how much I was missing him until this very moment. Or maybe I just didn’t allow myself to feel it for fear of how I would feel, like how I do, right now, here in his arms.
Just so completely overwhelmed by the emotion and level of feelings I have for this man.
“I can’t believe you came to pick me up!” I say still beaming a smile, releasing myself from him.
Jake lets me go, but keeps me close, taking hold of my hand.
And once again my skin simmers under his hand. I wonder if I’ll ever stop feeling like this from his touch.
A big part of me hopes not.
“Well, I’m glad I did now, if it meant getting a welcome like that,” he grins. He’s being all flirty again.
“I was just hanging around the hotel, so I thought I’d come … sorry I couldn’t come in the airport to meet you … you know,” he shrugs.
“I know.” He’d have probably been recognised and mobbed in ten seconds flat.
It must be pretty hard being a prisoner of your own success. Never able to go anywhere alone.
A simple thing like walking through an airport alone would probably mean the world to him if he was able to do it.
Dave gets in the driver’s seat, turns the engine on and the radio comes to life.
I pull my seat belt on, using one hand, as Jake doesn’t seem willing to let go of my hand.
“How was your flight?” Jake asks, as we start moving out of the airport.
“It was awesome thanks to you – did you know you get free champagne in first class … of course you know …” I peter off at his amused expression.
“You make me laugh.” He squeezes my hand, rubbing his thumb over my skin, continuously leaving a delicious trail wherever it goes.
“In a good way, I hope?”
“Always in a good way.” He turns his head to the side, directing a fixed look at me. I shiver inside, looking away.