Page 59 of Keeping Kama

In a daze, Leia pulled her lips from Derek’s. Turning to meet the narrowed gaze staring back at her, Leia said, “Sorry, we’ll get going.” She dropped her tight grip from Derek’s waist. Readjusting her dress, Leia jutted up her chin. “We’ve just reunited after a very long time apart.” She smiled over at Derek.

His hand ran down the length of Leia’s arm, and Derek said, “Yes, I don’t usually act so inconsiderately.”

Eyeing them suspiciously, the security guard said, “Sure you don’t.” The security guard pointed in the direction of baggage claim. “Please don’t forget your luggage.”

Interlacing his fingers with Leia’s, Derek gave them a squeeze. Straightening his back, Derek said, “We won’t. Thank you.” He kissed Leia on the temple and spoke into her hair, “let’s get out of here.”

Twisting, Leia turned in the direction of baggage claim. They walked hand in hand. When they arrived at the baggage claim, only a few lone suitcases remained. Circling around and around, the baggage waited for their owners to claim them. Reluctantly, he let go of her hand. Derek yanked one suitcase off the moving belt, then another, and another. And when Leia thought he couldn’t have any more, Derek took a final piece of luggage.

Amused with his unexplainable amount of stuff, Leia pointed at the pile of suitcases next to him. “Are you sure you didn’t pack enough to move here?” asked Leia.

Derek’s gaze darted away from her. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I— I— guess I did bring a fair number of things,” replied Derek. Shrugging, he continued, “What can I say? I couldn’t decide on gifts.”

Leaning in, Leia kissed Derek on the cheek. “I can’t wait to see what you thought was worthy of bringing all the way from Los Angeles.” Her hand found one of the roller suitcases, and she continued, “But first things first, you have a marathon you’re running tomorrow. After lunch, we need to go pick up our race packets. It has your bib in it.”

With a groan, Derek replied, “I can’t believe you’ve convinced me to do this.” He took two of the other suitcases, while Leia helped with one more, so they had one in each of their hands.

As they walked toward the sliding glass doors, Leia remarked, “If I remember correctly, you jumped at the chance to run this thing with me.”

“I jumped at the opportunity to see you again,” corrected Derek.

Leia’s cheeks splashed with heat. She glanced away from Derek toward the glass doors. They swung open as they approached them. Sticky humid air trickled in. “I hope you can handle running in this type of humidity,” said Leia.

Once through the glass doors, Derek replied, “I’ll survive. But I might be the last one crossing the finish line.”

She tilted her head in the direction of her car and said, “You won’t be alone.”

“Ahh.” Derek smiled. “No, I guess I won’t be alone, because you’ll be right there with me.”

Chapter20

Running past the twenty-five-mile sign, Derek wondered how he’d manage to continue running for another step, let alone another mile plus. The last five miles had passed in an excruciatingly difficult haze. Without Leia by his side, Derek would have walked the last several miles. But Leia refused to run ahead of him and leave him by himself.

Sweat dripped down his temples as the sun baked his skin, making it practically sizzle under its violent rays. Using the end of his shirt, Derek swiped at the sweat to keep it from dripping into his eyes. “I don’t know how much longer I can go on,” said Derek.

“Pick a landmark up ahead and tell yourself you only need to run to that specific spot. You can’t think about the entire mile that’s left, every runner knows that is the kiss of death,” replied Leia.

His feet throbbed, neck ached, and his back stung. “Fine.” Derek forced himself to look forward and not at the ground. Pointing up ahead, he said, “I pick that lady in the bright pink shirt holding some sort of sign.”

Without an ounce of heavy breathing, Leia replied, “I see her. Perfect.”

Focused on the lady in pink, Derek somehow managed to run past her.

Once the lady in pink was several paces behind them, Leia said, “Okay, now pick something else.”

“Umm.” Derek swiped at his brow with the back of his wrist. “I’m running to that grouping of palm trees in the park overlooking the ocean.”

They weaved around a few slower runners in front of them, Leia said, “I see it.”

Time slowed. Each step seemed to take longer than the one before, but as promised, Derek made it to the bunch of trees.

Leia interrupted his dreary thoughts. “We’ll pass by the Waikiki Aquarium soon then we’re almost there,” said Leia.

His calves seized. “I’m never doing this again,” muttered Derek.

Giving a high five to a passerby, Leia said, “That’s what I said, too, after my first marathon, but then I ran one more. It was a better experience than the one before. And then I was hooked.”

“I’m not hooked, not even close.” His throat was scratchy and dry. Derek forced himself to swallow. “I’m regretting every major life choice I’ve made up until this point.”

---