Page 59 of Crashing Into Me
Hell, I’d better get my good suit out of the cleaners,” he replied.
He sat up as she grabbed his face and kissed him.Finally,she thought,it was almost over.
LANA’S HEARTRACED out of her chest as Paula lurched the car up the hill. She didn’t know what she would do when she saw him, and couldn’t believe how much she could misssomeone. Paula passed her house on the top of Deleveaux Circle, and Lana’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Aren’t we going to your house?” she asked.
“Nope, we’re going to yours,” Paula replied.
About a half a mile later, they reached a massive piece of land on the highest peak of the hilltop. They drove further up until a house came into view. It was unfinished, with the framing still exposed and no windows yet. It was the sketch Kayden drew of the house he planned to build for them.He didn’t waste any time getting it started.Her heart began to beat faster and faster, her emotions getting the best of her.What would she say? What would he do?Paula pulled the car up to the end of the rounded driveway.
“You ready?” she asked, her smile bigger and broader than she’d ever seen it.
Lana was breathing fast, too fast. She was afraid she might pass out and tried to calm herself.
“It’s been a month. I don’t know what to say,” she admitted as tears fell down her face.
“I’m sure you’ll find the words,” Paula replied.
“He must be inside. I don’t see him,” Lana stated and felt a little relief as she noticed his car wasn’t there either.
Maybe he was running late, or worse, perhaps he changed his mind? Paula got out of the car and walked into the massive nine-thousand-square-foot shell that would soon be her brother’s permanent residence. She saw him through the entrance in the backyard, through which his double doors would eventually be. It reminded her of her own house, except for being three times the size and way more grandiose. As she walked through the house, her Jimmy Choo’s echoed through the vast space, then she stepped through the opening that would soon be the covered lanai and stood next to her brother.
“You outdid yourself, little bro,” Paula said.
He turned to her, but wasn’t looking for her.
“Where is she? What happened?” he asked.
“She’s in front. She’s a little emotional,” Paula replied.
Kayden understood; he was too, but enough time had passed, and he needed to see her already. Before he could say a word, what felt like a mini freight train hit him. It was Lana. She had thrown herself into him and was holding onto him for dear life.
“Never mind,” Paula said as they held onto one another, “She took the scenic route.” Paula smiled as they clung to one another and walked back through the house to give them privacy.
Kayden looked down at Lana, her head buried in his chest. She was weeping, and he couldn’t stop his own tears from falling from his face. She pulled back from him and looked at him. She had thought she would never again see those eyes.
“I’msosorry,” she whispered, as she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“No love, you don’t have anything to be sorry about,” he assured.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” she was bawling so loud that she could hardly speak.
“No way. I never stopped looking for you.” He grabbed her face and gave her a kiss so deep and so fierce, her knees buckled.
He caught her before she could hit the ground, never breaking the kiss, missing the familiarity of the woman he loved so much. Kiss after kiss, it was as if they were filling in the gaps left by the time they were apart. By the time they pulled back from one another, the tears had given way to pure passion.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Kayden said breathlessly, rubbing the side of her cheek with his thumb.
She turned her head and kissed his hand. “I missed you, too.”
PAULA HAD LONG gone,and now Kayden and Lana walked hand in hand as he gave her a tour of the house. As much as he could anyway. Every detail they spoke about, Kayden made sure was taken care of. The tray ceiling and crown moldings. Even down to the type and color of hardwood, they discussed. It was a marvel, and it wasn’t nearly finished yet.
“You didn’t miss a detail,” she said as she inspected the crown moldings in their soon-to-be formal dining room.
“Of course not. I always intended to bring you home,” he replied.
Lana’s smile faded slightly as he held her hand. He stopped in the middle of what would be their kitchen, turned to her, and held her close, resting his forehead on hers.
