Page 73 of Too Much In Common
“Alan offered me a job as the head of security for the amusement park. I was going to turn it down because it meant I had to leave Chicago and any chance I had for a relationship with you.”
Tian took a deep breath and sat back in her chair. “I don’t believe it.”
Someone served their dinners. At that point, Chris could have eaten three-day-old fast food and not known the difference. All his focus was on Tian.
Over a dessert which contained chocolate, Tian posed the question, “What if we don’t work out? We will have both moved...”
“Are you taking the job to be with me?”
“No. You were the only reason I hesitated to take it.”
“Same for me. We don’t have to move until late May. That gives us plenty of time to figure out if what we have is —” He wasn’t ready to say the word yet.
Tian supplied it. “Love?”
“Lasting love.” The small table between them was too much. He lifted Tian’s hand to his lips, the only thing he could kiss without making a scene. “I know how I feel about you. I may have thought I was in love before, but my desire to be with you, even if all we do is talk over a table, is overwhelming.”
“In those quiet moments when I’m flying, I find myself thinking mostly of you. I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to figure out how to continue being us.”
The waiter reappeared. “They paid your bill in advance and instructed me to give you this.”
As soon as the waiter left Chris unfolded the paper.
“What is it?”
“A map. It says ‘Recommended route for a stroll.’ If it’s raining or you’re tired, call this number for a car.” He handed the paper to Tian.
“Do you know where this takes us?”
“Not really.” He didn’t care as long as he was with her. Even if it was the catacombs which didn’t sound remotely romantic.
“To the bridge with all the locks.”
“What are you talking about?”
Tian scooted her chair back. “I’ll tell you on the way.”
A few meters from the restaurant stood a stone archway in front of a park. Chris scanned it for any sight of danger before pulling Tian into the shadow and the kiss he’d waited to give her for days. A kiss of promise, lingering and slow. Although he hoped she would understand what he was trying to express, he ended the kiss to whisper the words. “I love you.”
Tian didn’t answer with words. Instead, she pulled him back into a kiss more passionate than the first. Reluctantly, he allowed the kiss to end when she pulled back.
“I love you too. Be my valentine?” she asked.
“Forever.”
EPILOGUE
Annoyed at the last-minute call,Chris hurried to the Hastings gym. Tian had been understanding about pushing tonight’s date back an hour, as had his brother-in-law when he’d called the restaurant. The ring box, safely placed in the zippered interior pocket of his jacket, sat just above his heart.
ZoElle stood at the door with a Hastings t-shirt pulled tightly over her expanding belly.
“Do you know what’s going on?” he asked.
ZoElle smiled. “They need your help for a few moments. Gear up.”
Only the lights over the sparring mat were on.
Abbie stood in the center of the room. Other people, probably students, sat on the benches that bordered the gym.
