by Cass Lennox
“I’m good with mine too.”
Her hand squeezed his, and his heart soared.
They stopped at a junction, and while they waited for the lights to change, Tyler’s phone buzzed. He took it out and turned it off.
Evie stared up at the baggage reclaim status board, wondering what the holdup was this time. She’d been sitting on the floor with her backpack for ten minutes already. The flight had been delayed too. Her fingers played with her pen instead of finishing the doodle she’d worked on throughout the flight. Cheap airline tea had her wired beyond belief, and she could already tell that four cups had been a bad idea. She was tired and excited and ready to cry from the anticipation.
She was finally back.
The last three months in England had been crazy. She hadn’t thought they would pass as quickly or, at times, as slowly as they had. She’d broken her lease in York, cried over Shep, received the settlement from her old job, sorted her visa, met her parents’ new dog, temped for her brother for a month, then packed up the things she needed for her course and new life in Toronto. Said good-bye to her friends. Made promises for visits home soon.
She’d spoken to Tyler almost every day. Quick, rushed chats as well as hours-long conversations about anything and everything, from the minutiae of their lives as they lived them on opposite sides of the Atlantic to what they wanted to do when she was back in Canada. Some days, all she’d wanted was to reach through the screen and hug him, but mostly they were great. Better than great. She was so lucky.
Queen-evazilla and gaybeard-the-great had reblogged photos from Toronto Pride, no doubt baffling those of their followers used to manga posts. Sarah had even sent her a dance magazine that had published a feature on Tyler, complete with the most gorgeous photos she’d ever seen. Tyler gazed out into the world, his focus sharp and his body stunning in its raw physicality. She’d stared at the pictures of him in awe, then in misery whenever she missed him. Part of her could barely believe that this powerful, fierce man was her boyfriend, and that he was waiting for her across the Atlantic.
It had been a dull, grey day when she’d arrived at Heathrow ten hours earlier with Rowena and Doug. She’d hugged her mother tightly, knowing she was going to miss her, even if she was insufferable at times. Rowena had sniffled into her shoulder and made her promise to call often and to stay off YouTube this time. Doug had hugged her stiffly and wished her luck.
Her backpack held her laptop and converter plug and a few other homey bits and pieces. Her massive suitcase contained clothes and important documents and British souvenirs. She was coming to a new country carrying everything on her. Another new experience, but one so welcome and freeing that her chest felt ready to burst.
The carousel started turning. She bounced to her feet. When her suitcase finally showed, she pulled it off with all her strength, then turned to the exit. It took serious effort not to run to the arrivals gate, but finally she was through.
She saw the signs first: a huge Godzilla poster drawn in green glitter attacking a massive WELCOME BACK EVIE sign, and an inflatable Godzilla with a sign around its neck saying, THE QUEEN RETURNS. Then she saw the heads of the people carrying those things.
The next thing she saw was Tyler Davis, sprinting towards her. He caught her up in a bear hug, and she clutched him close. His familiar scent, his hard body, his strong arms, his curly hair, him. She breathed him in. Real. Hers. Finally.
“Godzilla, what took you so long?” he said tightly.
A strangled sob escaped her, and she kissed him hard. “I missed you so much.”
He smiled softly. “Me too.”
“This is disgusting,” Bailey said behind him.
“Oh my God, this is too cute.” Sarah hugged both of them at once.
Tyler rolled his eyes. “I told them not to come, but they wouldn’t listen to me.”
Evie laughed and twisted her head to see a few more familiar people standing behind Bailey.
“Evie, it’s great to see you.” Brock waved. “But can you keep it moving?”
Ah. They were blocking the flow of people from Arrivals.
“Oh my fucking God,” Gigi exclaimed, swatting at Brock with the inflated Godzilla. “She just got off a fucking plane, you animal.” He handed the balloon over, then swanned to her and hugged her tightly. “Welcome back, babe.”
She hugged him with genuine pleasure. “Hi, gorgeous.”
He returned to Brock’s side, practically glowing.
Vaughn came forward next, tucking the WELCOME BACK sign behind him. “Evie, it’s wonderful to see you again.” He smelt expensive and looked polished as usual. Evie had talked with him too, and occasionally his boyfriend, arranging field trips and gallery visits.
She managed to hide a grin at Tyler’s annoyed expression, then was suddenly very close to crying. All these people had come to meet her at the airport. Sunlight streamed through the windows. Her course waited for her. The airport was familiar. There was glitter again.
Tyler cleared his throat as Sarah took Evie’s suitcase. Evie looked at him as the group turned towards the doors. He held out the stuffed Godzilla to her.
“I kept him safe,” he said shyly.
A lump rose in her throat. She’d given him the toy at the airport when she’d left. She’d tried to blot out the memory, but she was fairly certain she’d said something embarrassing like, “At least one Godzilla should get to hug you over the next three months.”
“That you did,” she managed, taking the toy and giving it a squeeze.
Tyler put an arm around her. “Of course I did. I’m glad the real one is back.” He kissed her gently. “You ready for some new experiences?”
She leaned into him, looked at the faces of her friends as they bickered amongst themselves, and blinked back tears. The future beckoned, bright and exciting. Her face hurt from smiling. “Let’s do this.”
Explore more of the Toronto Connections series at: riptidepublishing.com/titles/universe/toronto-connections
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I am endlessly grateful to my eagle-eyed editor, Chris Muldoon, for her insights and her support of this particular book.
Thanks to Riptide’s staff for liking this book so much (even in its first, atrocious form).
I must also thank my housemates, R.M., A.D.G., and W.M., who put up with me failing to do chores because I’m editing; my Canadian friends, who remain my friends despite my many questions; and P.K. and A.B., whose understanding and patience is truly that of the divine.
Toronto Connections
Blank Spaces
Growing Pains (coming soon)
The Wrong Woman (coming soon)
Cass Lennox is a permanent expat who has lived in more countries than she cares to admit to and suffers from a chronic case of wanderlust as a result. She started writing stories at the tender age of eleven, but would be the first to say that the early years are best left forgotten and unread. A great believer in happy endin
gs, she arrived at queer romance via fantasy, science fiction, literary fiction, and manga, and she can’t believe it took her that long. She likes diverse characters who have gooey happy ever afters, and brownies. She’s currently sequestered in a valley in southeast England.
Blog: casslennox.wordpress.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Cass-Lennox-1704635609768647
Twitter: twitter.com/CassLennox
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