by Ivy Jordan
I knew there was no hiding the fact I liked him, especially to Kayla. “He’s amazing,” I admitted, sighing after I spoke.
I told her about the date, and how sweet he had been. My mother had already grilled me for details, probably to send back to Christine. I had to admit, she was good. He was perfect, with the huge exception of being so far away.
“Do you think you want to meet him?” she asked.
I set the shelf down onto the floor and paused for a moment. I knew I liked him, like a lot. But if I met him, and fell for him, then what? “I dunno.”
“I thought you really liked him?” she asked, surprised by my answer.
“I do,” I replied. “I just don’t know if this is even a possible relationship,” I admitted.
Kayla sighed, rolled her eyes, and then started cleaning her countertop.
My phone rang with Silas’s face lit up on my screen. Seeing his smiling image instantly gave me goosebumps. Kayla giggled as I slid the phone to answer.
“Hello,” I said cheerfully.
“Hey gorgeous,” he said, his tone just as cheerful as mine. “I’ve got some news.”
There was urgency in his voice as he spoke. The hairs on my arm stood at attention while I waited to hear what this ‘news’ could be—good or bad.
“I’m being deployed to Turkey for nine months,” he said quickly.
“When?” I asked, my mood quickly turning sour.
“I leave in ninety days,” he answered.
My heart sank. Turkey? So, he was going even further away?
“Wow,” is all I managed to get out before someone called for his attention.
“I have to run. I’ll call you later, I promise. Prepare to stay up past midnight. I plan to be the first one to wish you happy birthday,” he said charmingly.
“You promise?” I asked, fighting back the lump in my throat.
“I promise, gorgeous,” he said.
“I wish you could tell me in person,” I said softly.
“That would be the perfect send-off for me, baby,” he replied, and then hung up.
“What’s wrong?” Kayla asked, watching me slump back into the booth seat.
I told her the news he’d just given me, and how he sounded excited. It felt as though my heart had just been ripped from my chest. “That’s… what? Five thousand miles away, at least?” I asked, a tear falling from my eye.
“It’s only nine months,” Kayla said, moving toward me to offer some comfort.
“I was stupid for even getting involved with him,” I said, wiping the tear from my cheek.
I wasn’t going to cry over this man. I’d never even met him, and now it sounded as if I never would.
“Lucy, don’t give up on him yet,” she whispered, her hand caressing my back.
“I just don’t see how we could build a relationship like this. Across the globe, doing Lord only knows what, there won’t be time for video dating, and certainly no way to see him in person,” I laughed nervously as I spoke.
“You don’t know that,” she insisted.
“If I don’t meet him before he leaves, then I don’t see the point in continuing this while he’s overseas,” I scoffed.
“Why not?” Kayla asked.
“Because. You don’t know if you have chemistry—I mean real chemistry—with someone until you meet them in person. Why spend almost a year of my life getting attached to someone that I may not even like when I meet?” I snarled.
“I don’t think that’s true. Chemistry is chemistry, whether in person or over the computer screen,” she pushed.
I wanted to believe her. “I don’t know. I’ve never dated anyone over the computer before,” I laughed.
“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” she smiled.
I nodded, trying to convince myself that this was somehow, going to be okay.
“You have good chemistry when you’re on the phone or the computer, right?” she asked.
I nodded.
“And I saw how you lit up when he called, so you like him, right?” she pushed.
I nodded.
“Seems to me, you two have a lot in common, and having chemistry without meeting is a lot harder than having it with someone in front of you,” she barked.
“Maybe,” I replied.
“A relationship has to start somewhere. This might all work out; just wait and see. It’s not like you’re in a rush to find someone; you weren’t even looking, so relax, and just enjoy this,” she suggested.
Everything she said was true. And I did like Silas, a lot. I didn’t realize just how much I liked him until he told me he was going away. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it hurt like hell thinking I’d lose him forever. I just truly didn’t see how this could work with him across the world.
Chapter Five
I was still reeling with what to do about Silas. Our midnight phone conversation was sweet, and even though I voiced my concerns about him leaving before we even met, he filled me with the same hopelessly romantic reassurance as Kayla had earlier that day. Why was he so perfect?
“Happy Birthday, dear Lucy, Happy Birthday to you!” my mom and sister sang in unison, although not in tune.
I closed my eyes and blew out the candles, making the only wish I wanted to come true.
“How’s it feel to be half way to fifty?” Kayla teased.
“Don’t know yet. You’ve had two years to deal with it, what does it feel like?” I teased back.
“After you get past the grey hairs sneaking up on ya, it’s not so bad,” she laughed.
My mouth fell open in disbelief. Grey hairs? No, thank you!
“I’m teasing,” Kayla said.
“We have mom’s genes. We’ll never go grey,” she patted our mother’s dyed-blonde hair.
“Yeah, not as long as we color it every month,” I laughed.
Annette rolled her eyes and began slicing the cake. “Next year I can tell you what it’s like to actually be fifty,” she scoffed.
My phone beeped, causing me to jump to check the text. Mom and Kayla laughed at my anxiousness and enthusiasm as I unlocked my phone to read Silas’s message.
Silas: Hope you’re having an amazing day gorgeous…
Me: At mom’s having cake. Wanna know my birthday wish?
Silas: If you tell me, or anyone, it won’t come true….
Me: I’m sure it isn’t anyway
Silas: Enjoy your family. I’ll see ya later
I stuffed my phone back into my purse. I was excited to see Silas on our scheduled video date, but my heart ached that he couldn’t be here.
Kayla poured me a glass of wine. “Was that Silas?”
My smile widened across my face as I lifted my glass to my lips. The wine was sweet, but not nearly as sweet as Silas.
“You two seem to be hitting it off,” My mother said sweetly.
“Yes. But I don’t know what’ll happen once he leaves,” I sulked.
Mom leaned back in her chair to look toward the front door. She seemed distracted by something. “Are you expecting someone?” I asked.
“Christine said she might stop by,” she said quickly.
Her tone was strangely curious, and filled with an anxiousness I couldn’t quite pinpoint. “So, what’s your big birthday plan?” my mother asked.
“Silas has a video date planned. He said he has a special surprise for me,” I replied.
Kayla was beaming. I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d had a few glasses of wine before I’d arrived.
“I wonder what it is,” Kayla gushed, her eyes batting as fast as my heart beat.
“I don’t have any idea,” I admitted.
I tried pulling it out of him several times that day with no luck. He was closed-lipped, and wasn’t willing to give up any details, not even a single hint.
Mom leaned back again, checking the front door.
“Does Christine want to check up on her love project?” I laughed.
“I gu
ess so,” Mom replied.
Kayla lifted a piece of the sliced cake and placed it on my plate. She proceeded to repeat her actions until she and our mother each had a piece in front of them. “So, what did you wish for?” she asked curiously.
I sighed. “I can’t tell you,” I scoffed.
“Oh, so it’s something you think might come true?” she asked, her eyebrows lifting high on her forehead.
“Maybe,” I said, knowing in my heart it was impossible. I’d wished for Silas to be here, spending my day with me.
“Look at that,” Mom said, leaning back into her chair one more time.
I stood from my chair and looked toward the front door. The rain stopped. It was the first birthday I remembered without rain. “Wow,” I exclaimed, making out the gold shine of Christine’s car coming up the lane.
“Christine made it,” I announced, moving back to my seat.
“Is that what you wished for? No rain?” Kayla teased.
I shrugged my shoulders and shoved a piece of cake into my mouth. “Can’t tell ya.”
Mom got up and rushed toward the door. I heard Christine’s voice, loud and boisterous echoing through the hall. “Where’s my birthday girl?” she called out.
“I’m in here,” I announced, shoving another piece of cake into my mouth.
I washed it down with wine and then was face to face with the woman who set me up with the perfect man whom I’d probably never get to meet.
“Happy birthday!” she screeched, moving past Kayla with her arms wide open.
The strong scent of vanilla perfume took over, quickly filling my mouth with the flavor that mocked the cake I’d just eaten. Her tight squeeze was like a boa constrictor around my neck.
“I have a surprise for you,” she said with a wink.
“You didn’t have to do anything,” I replied.
She backed away, moved back out of the kitchen, and I could hear my mother and her whispering. I looked to Kayla, who was sipping her wine calmly. I knew she had to know what was going on, but she wouldn’t make eye contact with me, even when I kicked her under the table.
Mom entered the kitchen first, and then Christine. I was looking for a box, an envelope, or for whatever this big surprise was, but her hands were empty. “I know I set you up with someone who was too far away. And I know you’re worried that you’ll never meet him once he leaves for Turkey,” she said calmly.
I didn’t speak. I was mortified, fearing that she’d brought me another man as a consolation prize.
“If you’ve brought me a man, you better send him right back away from here,” I groaned.
My mother’s bright-blue eyes were filled with laughter, even though her facial expression was quick to cover her amusement. Christine lifted one eyebrow, then bit her bottom lip into her mouth. “Are you sure?” she asked.
“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, scooting back from the table, and standing from my chair.
She really did! She brought me a man!
“I’m going home,” I said, working my way toward the back door.
“Wishes do come true,” a deep, sexy voice sounded behind me. It was familiar, one I’d heard many times. One I’d grown to love to hear.
I turned, my heart racing fast in my chest. My palms grew as hot as my cheeks, and my eyes welled with tears of joy, and disbelief.
My arms opened and I rushed toward Silas, who now stood in my kitchen. It was exactly what I wished for, and there he was. “Oh my God!” I screeched as I finally felt the warmth of his embrace.
His lips pushed against my neck as I snuggled my nose into his. The tightness of his squeeze left me feeling safe and secure. His scent was soothing, slightly seductive, and reminded me of a cologne my father used to wear.
“You’re really here?” I questioned, pulling away and staring into his beautiful dark eyes.
“There’s no other place I’d rather be, gorgeous,” he whispered. “Happy birthday.”
My hands reached up to his face, feeling his skin, tracing his lips with my fingers, and convincing me that he was truly here.
He reached behind him, pulling out a beautiful bouquet of roses, very similar to the ones he’d given me on our first date. “You deserve to keep the flowers,” he said sweetly.
Christine was grinning from ear to ear. “I couldn’t believe you were going to run out the back door,” she laughed.
“I thought you were bringing me another man,” I explained. “You knew?” I asked, looking at my mother’s soft and gentle eyes.
“Yes. Silas called me to plan the visit,” she said softly.
Kayla was tearing up from the romance of the situation no doubt. “You too?” I asked my sister who quickly nodded. “You are a very sneaky man,” I said to Silas.
He winked. “When I have to be.”
“Have some wine,” Kayla quickly grabbed a glass and handed it to Silas. She poured the glass, staring at him like a lost puppy that’d just found its owner. Christine started explaining how they’d pulled the heist off without my knowing. Apparently, she’d picked Silas up at the airport, and he would be staying until he was deployed.
“You’ll be here for ninety days?” I asked.
“Give or take,” he said.
I was in awe. I couldn’t believe he was really here, and that he’d be here for three months.
“You’d expressed concerns about not meeting before I deployed. I couldn’t imagine leaving knowing that you were giving up on us,” he said.
“I just didn’t want to spend a year of my life with someone I’d never met,” I explained.
“I understand that,” he said, winking in my direction.
“So, Silas, what are you planning to do while in town?” my mom asked.
I immediately blushed at the question, figuring the answer was me, me, me, do me, Silas.
“I booked a hotel up the road. I figured I’d spend as much time getting to know Lucy as possible… as long as I don’t get in her way, that is,” he said, grinning in my direction.
I felt a sigh lift from my chest and escape my lips. I couldn’t imagine Silas getting in my way.
Christine started asking about his deployment, causing Silas to get excited. He told us how he’d be joining the 2ndAir Force Command, and while there he’d be working on top-secret weaponry. It sounded dangerous, and even though his mood was wildly excited, mine was quickly growing wretched.
“You two must have a million things to talk about,” my mother said, graciously cutting Christine from asking any more questions.
“Yes, ma’am,” Silas said politely, reaching for my hand under the table.
“We’ll clean up in here. You two go, get to know each other,” my mom said, her tone pushy but good-natured.
Kayla’s face was washed with love as she smiled. I leaned over, kissed her cheek, and whispered, “This is a good start.”
I took Silas’s hand and led him toward the front door. We walked out onto the front porch and took a seat on the bench swing. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” I said, staring at him like he was an alien.
“There’s something I’ve been dying to do,” he said, leaning in softly toward me. His lips met mine, causing sparks of electricity to shoot throughout my body.
Instantly, I melted into him, my lips parting, and my tongue entangling with his.
He pulled back slowly, releasing his grip on my mouth. I heard his lips smack as they pulled from mine, but my eyes wouldn’t open. I was melted, absolutely melted into my spot.
His soft laughter brought me out of the trance he’d placed me in. I opened my eyes to see his locked onto me. His lips were curled into a smile while his eyes danced in my direction. “That was nice,” I mumbled, still working on pulling myself together.
“Yes it was,” he said, his voice deep and vibrant.
“I don’t think you should stay in a hotel,” I insisted.
“I couldn’t impose,” he said politely.
“Even if you sleep on the co
uch,” I said quickly. “I can’t imagine having to give you up after just getting you here. Besides, you’re my birthday present, after all.”
He pulled me close to him, pushing me into his chest as he laughed. “That’s true.”
“Besides, you’ve been drinking,” I teased.
“One glass of wine?” he scoffed. “Yes. You’re right. It would be unsafe for me to be on the roads, even as a passenger,” he laughed.
I snuggled into his chest, feeling the warmth of his body, and listening to the beat of his heart. It was fast. He was nervous, or excited, scared, or all of the above. I loved it. This big tough soldier was nervous sitting next to little me.
“I think we have company,” he said, looking over his shoulder into the window behind us.
I turned to see Kayla, Mom, and Christine, all staring out the window. I laughed.
“Why don’t I get you settled in?” I said.
“Sounds like a brilliant idea,” he agreed, standing and offering his hand to me.
Chapter Six
I leaned in the front door and yelled to Christine to pop her trunk. My mom winked at me as I took Silas’s hand. He grabbed his bags from her trunk, and I led him to my barn loft apartment. “So, you really do live in a barn?” he asked with a chuckle.
“I do,” I replied.
“I thought you were joking,” he said, pulling me in close as I opened the front door. “Wow. This is amazing,” he said, looking around the remodeled space.
It still looked like a barn, but after remodeling, it was more like a fancy loft that someone paid thousands to make look like a barn, instead of the other way around.
“I love it,” I said, feeling his hands grip at my waist.
He pulled me into him, his hands working slowly to my belly, and stopping just below my breasts. My nipples reacted by tightening and pushing at the material of my shirt. Heat rolled between my legs in waves as my back pressed against his tight, hard chest. The heat of his breath against my neck made my legs tremble, and the vibrations of his voice shot through my veins as he spoke.