Page 79 of To Catch a Firefly

I huff a laugh. “Everywhere.”

He nods, looking lost in thought for a moment. “Are you two a couple?”

I hum a confirmation. “New.”

“Really?” he says. “I always wondered back in high school. I thought you guys might have been something then.”

I shake my head, hoping he understands.

“Huh. Well, for what it’s worth, I’m happy for you guys. You always fit, you know?”

Yeah, I know.

“You, and, uh, Gabby,” he goes on. “Were you never…” He lets his question hang, but I think I know what he’s asking.

I shake my head. “Friends.”

“Okay, cool,” he says, nodding a few times. “Well, I’ll let you get going. Tell Lucky hi.”

I give him a nod, and he claps my shoulder before heading off.

When I get home, I rush through my shower before whipping up a quick dinner that my mom tells me not to bother with. I do it anyway, sitting down to eat with her before grabbing my keys. She chuckles as I hustle out the door.

The drive to the airport is a good hour and a half long, but I don’t mind. The time passes quickly as the string between me and Lucky shortens. It’s relief when I pull into the airport parking lot, a relaxation of that ache in my chest.

Lucky didn’t ask for me to meet him inside, but that’s what I do. I wouldn’t be able to sit still out in my truck anyways, watching reunions and waiting for one of my own. The minutes tick by endlessly now that I’m here, but I keep myself still, standing near the edge of the long hallway where the arrivals come through.

When I see a flash of corkscrewing golden-blonde hair, my heartbeat kicks up in tempo. There’s a smile on Lucky’s lips, but his face is tipped down as he walks, a suitcase dragging behind him. My chest rises and falls as he gets closer, and I almost call out. But then he looks up, and bright eyes collide with mine.

Lucky stutters almost to a stop when he sees me, his smile widening. The surprise only lasts for a moment. He picks up his pace, runs, and then, heflies.

I catch Lucky in my arms as his suitcase goes clattering to the floor. His legs wrap around me tight, hair tickling the side of my face, and all of that buzzing inside my body quiets to a gentle hum.

Lucky’s hands bracket my face as his lips find mine, soft and urgent and warm. “God, I missed you,” he mumbles against my mouth.

Missed you, too.

He gives me another slow, drugging kiss that makes me feel as if I’m sinking. “This is such a better way”—a third kiss, so sweet, so smooth—“to come home to you.”

I pour my ferventyesinto Lucky’s mouth, losing count of kisses, losing track of time. Our lips come together again and again, and I’m saturated in him, so far under the surface, there’s nothing and no one but Lucky.

When he finally draws back, I drop my forehead to his, unwilling to go far. It takes me a moment to realize I’m shaking.

“El,” he says gently, fingers skating over my skin. “I’m here for a week and a half.” It sounds like a reassurance.

I nod, tucking my face against his hair and breathing in.

He smooths his hands around to the back of my neck, cursing gently. “And to think, I could have had this for years.”

My chest twinges. We didn’t know. Neither of us knew.

“Now,” I say, trying to reassure him, too.You have me now.

“El,” he says softly, huffing a small laugh when my nose brushes his ear. “You might need to set me down soon. A little old lady is giving us the stink eye.”

I shake my head, but I do pull my face out of his hair. Bending down with Lucky in my arms, I grab the handle of his suitcase, and then I straighten back up and start walking. He laughs, his eyes twinkling as I carry him backwards toward the exit. His fingers keep caressing my neck, and a beautiful smile lights his face.

“Danil is going to be so jealous,” he says, laying his head on my shoulder.

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