Page 20 of One Hot Summer

“Finally!” I said. “Now just to wait for our suitcases to come out last.” Not forgetting the biscotti stash. I needed some sugar.

I was incredibly surprised when mine and Sarah’s cases were among the first to appear.

“There! You can stop your moaning now. Your suitcase hasn’t ended up in the wrong country. It’s all here, stowaway biscotti too.” Sarah shoved me, playfully. “Come on, let’s move to the front or we’ll miss them.”

We were able to grab our bags without fail and wheeled them through the doors and out to the airport car park. Outside, it was cold, dreary and miserable. Much like my mood. It had clearly been raining, as there were puddles everywhere.

I was looking for an impatient taxi driver ready to charge us a fine for making him wait so long, when suddenly… I couldn’t believe it.

“Zack?!”

I dropped my suitcase in a puddle and ran towards him, throwing my arms around his neck as he picked me up for a huge, much welcome and much-needed hug. He smelled delicious. I could just eat him.

“What are you doing here?” He was still holding me up as I put my hands on his face to make sure it was really him.

“I’m your taxi.”

“I wanted to surprise you,” Sarah said. “As a thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Letting me live with you, putting up with me trying to sort my life out, and taking me on holiday to Rome. I owe you so much.”

“Aw, hun.” Zack placed me back on the ground so I could hug my friend, trying not to get over-emotional, which was difficult as I was tired, hungry and a little bit chilly. I hugged my friend tightly, pleased that everything was finally working out for her, and that she was feeling better about life and herself.

“My dad is picking me up, so you guys can get off home.” I spotted Sarah’s dad in his car, waiting for her. He was on his phone but waved when we saw him. “Right.” She picked up her bag. “I’ll leave you guys to it. Jenny, I’ll speak to you soon. Don’t break him tonight, will you?”

She headed in the direction of her dad’s car. Zack picked up my case and put his arm around me, leading me to his car. He kissed me on the head and held me tightly.

“Was I a good surprise then?”

“Yes, you sneaky sod. I can’t believe you’re here. I feel all gross though. I wish I could have had a shower or something before I saw you. Get all freshened up.”

“Well, I think you look amazing. But if you really want a shower, I insist on getting in there with you to help, if you’ll let me?”

“How can I refuse that?” We arrived at his car and he placed my case in the boot. “But you’ll have to be thorough in your cleaning, if you feel up to the task.”

“Of course, I always make sure I’m thorough.” He closed the boot and turned to me, gripping my face in his hands, kissing me passionately. “Get in the car.” He slapped my bottom and I giddily jumped in the front seat.

Absence makes the loins burn harder. We’d barely left my bedroom since getting back yesterday.

Food had been consumed in bed. My mother would be cringing if I told her. However, I was all grown up now, and could make up my own rules. If I wanted to eat food in bed, I could eat food in bed. If I wanted to spend the day naked with my legs wrapped around my boyfriend whilst eating fried noodles, then I would do that.

“What time is it?” I knew it had to be mid-morning by now.

Zack reached for his phone.

“It’s nearly three o’clock.”

“What? How is it that time already?”

I felt like I should be up, being productive. I still had to unpack and do all my washing. Not to mention going to the shops for food to stock up my cupboards. I had also promised Sarah a trip to IKEA over the weekend, so she could continue to buy things for her new home. There were so many things to do, but my legs would not unwrap themselves from my sexy boyfriend, who was trapped between them. He didn’t seem to mind, nor was he in any rush to get up either.

Suddenly, when all was peaceful and relaxed, I could hear my phone ringing. “Typical,” I moaned.

“Where is it?”

“Ah, I think it’s still in my bag, over there.” I lifted my arm and pointed without looking. “Too far away to get up. It’s fine, they’ll leave a message.”

“Okay, but I need to get up anyway, so I’ll pass it to you. Do you want a drink?” He gently lifted my leg from his body.

“A coffee would be good, but I’ll come down for it.”

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