Friendship, Texas Series: Volume 1

by Magan Vernon

  She pinched my cheek before letting me go. I helped Virginia with the last of her luggage, and we climbed into Sammy’s car.

  We all stayed silent on the drive to the airport until Sammy helped us with our bags and we got out of the car. Sammy hugged Virginia then put his arms around me.

  “I’m gonna miss you, Sonny. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

  “Of course not, Sammy. You’re gonna need someone to keep your ass in line,” I joked.

  “And don’t let her go, okay? I don’t know what kind of things you need to do to keep this going long distance, but we’re ready for another family wedding,” Sammy said, patting my back as he pointed at Virginia with the other hand.

  I shook my head, walking toward Virginia. “Don’t scare her away now. We’re already going to have enough miles between us.”

  “Okay, but I expect an invite, whether it’s in Roma or America!” Sammy yelled, getting into his car.

  Taking Virginia’s hand, I grabbed my suitcase with the other, and we rolled into Palermo’s airport.

  We only had a few more hours together before both of our flights. We’d talked about trips during the holidays, and I’d go to Chicago when she visited her family. But we both feared that maybe we weren’t strong enough for this. Many people did long distance relationships but after meeting Virginia, she’d become a part of me. A strong part of me.

  When we went to the separate counters to go through security and check in, I couldn’t help but stare at her. She looked so different yet so much the same as that girl I saw in the club all those months ago.

  I never thought after that one dance that I’d fall in love. That she would be the one. It was too soon to think about marriage and wedding bells, but I knew I was going to keep up the chase for as long as she’d have me.

  When we both got through security, I looked at the board for the departing flights.

  “Looks like your Rome flight is at Gate D22,” I muttered.

  Virginia nodded, squeezing my hand but not saying anything.

  “I’ll walk you there.”

  We headed down the terminal, not saying anything, just letting the silence hang between us.

  Once we finally got to D22, we stopped right at the entrance that was full of people, sitting in the uncomfortable blue chairs and staring at their phones.

  “Well, I don’t take off for another two hours, so we can maybe get a coffee or something,” I said absently, thinking of any excuse to spend more time with her.

  Virginia looked at the gate then down at her phone. “Oh. It looks like I have a gate change.”

  I looked at the board. “Um, that says Rome at 10:07. Did you change your flight?” I asked, looking back at her with a raised eyebrow.

  She slid her phone to unlock it and handed it to me.

  I looked down and saw the screen with a departure from Palermo to Rome at 10:10. “Okay, my flight then. We get some more time together. Cool.”

  I found myself smiling but a tinge of sadness to it.

  Yes, I wanted more time with her, but the more we prolonged it, the more I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to go through it.

  I was just about to say fuck it, cancel my flight to Dallas, and stay in Rome with her when she slid her finger along the screen and revealed a second flight.

  Rome to Chicago at 12:53. Was she visiting her parents first?

  “Oh, that’s my same flight. Cool. I have a little layover there, and we can hang out before you go to your parents or wherever,” I said, nodding. More time. First, the sixteen-hour flight to Chicago then I’d have to say goodbye. I couldn’t figure out if I was happy or sad.

  But Virginia figured it out for me and slid her fingers across the screen, showing the flight from Chicago to Dallas.

  “Chicago … to … Dallas?” I asked, my words drawn out as I slowly stared up at her smiling face.

  She took a step closer and grabbed her phone, sliding it in her purse. “I’ve thought a lot about things these past few weeks. As much as I would love the job in Rome, there was just something missing, and I realized that what was missing was you.”

  I shook my head slightly, licking my lips. “Babe, you can’t give up your dream for me. I won’t let you do that.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Then what are you doing?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Well, I decided to do some research about the Dallas area and was able to get a last-minute Skype interview for an internship at an art museum in Dallas. It may not be paid, and living expenses will be a bit higher, but Dr. Mercato said it would cover my requirements.”

  “Are you saying …?” All words were failing me. All I could do was stare at her smile.

  “I’m saying that it looks like you’re going to be stuck with me for a bit longer, Sonny Conti,” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

  “I think it’s you who’s going to be sorry that you kept me around,” I whispered against her lips.

  “We’ll see about that,” she said before her lips met mine.

  It was the same thing I said to Mickey on the flight to Rome, what seemed like ages ago, and he was right. All it took was one strong woman to knock me out and make me fall in love.