“When will I see you again?” he asks.
“Wednesday,” I tell him. “I’ll be in the citylooking at apartments in the morning, then I’ll have the rest ofthe day free,” I pull a strand of blonde hair away from my face;standing near the stairwell is like being in a wind tunnel.
“Wednesday,” he agrees.
I give him a soft peck on the cheek then turnto leave, but he grabs my arm and slams me into his chest. Then hekisses me. Hard. Right there in the middle of pedestrian traffic,and it’s the kind of kiss that slows time, increases heart ratesand brings a city block to its knees.
Ryan exhales breathing my name. His eyesclosed, his forehead planted to mine. Now I really need to leave,because my willpower is dissolving. One more second in his arms andI am spending the night in the city. Maybe the week. Possibly themonth.
I glance at my watch. The train will be herein two minutes. “I have to go,” I say softly, wiping some of my lipgloss away from his mouth.
“Wednesday,” he stipulates.
“Wednesday,” I agree, and then turn to leave.Mustering all the strength I have to walk down the stairs and awayfrom the one man who not once, but twice, shocked my worldalive.
“Alana!” I hear Ryan call and I turn on thestairs. “I’m not disappearing, not this time.”
I look at him conspicuously.
“Time will tell, Ryan. Time will tell.”
“It will take an act of God to keep me away,”he professes.
I smirk hopefully as I disappear out ofsight.
I hop onto the train and walk the threestairs down to the lower level. I hand the conductor my ticket topunch then settle back in one of the light blue pleather seats. Thetracks making a clicking sound as the train pulls away. I stare outthe window daydreaming about Ryan. His hands, his face, his eyeshis lips. Oh, this is so bad. He’s back in my life for one day andI’m already hooked. I pull out my phone and text Emily asking ifshe is free to meet for dinner. Not a minute later she replies witha time and place. I know she is salivating for details.
The train pulls into my stop at 6:23 PM.Dinner time, perfect. I’m starving, even though my stomach is inknots. I hop into my little white Audi and head over to the Italianrestaurant Emily suggested. It’s a little hole in the wall whereyou can get the best Ruffino and penne vodka this side of LittleItaly. I pull into the parking lot and quickly turn off the engine.When I get inside I find Emily sitting at a table in the back, thelights are dim and there are candles dripping with wax in Chiantibottles, giving the room a romantic glow. But she’s not alone.
“Uncle John,” I say as I walk up to thetable, glancing at Emily. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
He stands and gives me a bear hug. He’s themost warm, affectionate man I know, next to Ryan, and sometimes Iconsider him more of a father then my own. “I missed my girl,” helooks down at Emily. “She said she was meeting you here and Ithought I would stop by and have a drink. See how everything wentlast night,” he gives her a knowing smile.
I nearly tear at the seams.
“Dad, please. Like I would give you details,”Emily smiles.
“Probably for the best,” he grins. My uncleJohn has all the traits of my father; he’s a tall, stocky man withwarm brown eyes and dark black hair. Except his is thinning and notgray yet.
And he’s always smiling.
“Are you eating with us?” I ask.
“No, Emily made it very clear this dinner isstrictly girl business. So she promised me breakfast tomorrowmorning. You can join us if you’d like.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense, you’re both my girls. And I missspending time with you, too.”
I glance down at Emily to make sure it’sokay. She’s nodding excessively.
“It’s all settled then,” my uncle John sayspleased. “I’ll see you two at the beach club at ten.” He kisses ourforeheads and then heads for the door, both of us watching him likehawks. As soon as he is out of sight Emily immediately says, “Sospill. What happened? Did you hook up?”
“Emily, how easy do you think I am?”
“Alana, you’re absolutely glowing. And thisis Ryan.Ry-an,” she exaggerates his name.
I touch my face, “So what does thatmean?”