Eleven
“I think Nick thinks we’re dating.” Mark laughed softly and set his luggage on the floor at the end of the bed.
Micah placed one of his suitcases on the bed and began unpacking his clothes. “I told him we were just friends with benefits.”
“I don’t think he believed you.” Mark found it all amusing. Normally, Micah would have as well. But today, his manner was serious as he glanced across the bed at Mark.
“Maybe we should be.”
“Should be what?”
Micah paused. “Dating.”
“What?” Mark stared at him, an uncertain knit in his brow. “What do you mean?”
Abandoning the suitcase, Micah walked around the bed and took hold of Mark’s hands. “I mean, we’re great together. We’ve both said we were perfect for each other. So, why not take the next step?”
Mark grew still and stared down at their hands. He caressed his thumbs on Micah’s knuckles. “If you had suggested it while we were on the plane, or even last night after we had the really incredible sex…I may have said yes to us dating.” He raised his eyes. “But after what happened at the airport…”
“Mark…” Micah turned away, his hands slipping free of Mark’s grasp. “I told you, I didn’t want to talk about that anymore. It was just some strange occurrence, nothing more. It didn’t mean anything.”
“Itdidmean something, Micah. The way you looked at him—that’sthe look of a mantrulyin love.”
Micah turned abruptly and stared at him, shocked. “In love?I’d just met him, right then. What are you talking about?”
“They say,” Mark murmured, “that when you meet your soulmate, you know it,right then.It’s an instant mutual connection that you can’t deny. It hits you with aphysicalblow that you feel in every part of your being.”
Tremors rippled through Micah, spiking his pulse. Hewantedto deny it, to tell Mark he was wrong—that that wasn’t what happened between him and the emerald-eyed stranger. But he couldn’t form the denial—the lie—into words. Even now—with the encounter miles and hours behind him—he was still reeling from the experience.
What the hell does it matter?
It didn’t. Whoever the green-eyed man was—he was gone. A ship passing in the night, never to be seen again.
Mark seemed to read his thoughts. “I know you think it doesn’t matter, that he was with someone else and, even if he wasn’t, you’ll never see him again.”
“Thatishow it is,” Micah mumbled.
“You don’t know that,” Mark said. “I mean, what were the chances that, out of all the people in the terminal, you would just happen to bump intothe one?What are the astronomical odds that, in this whole wide world, he would even be there inthatairport, onthisday—the same day as you? Andhewould be the one you ran into?” Mark came closer, wonder in his eyes. “Something like that doesn’t justhappen, Micah. It has to be carefully orchestrated by someone who sees thebiggerpicture.”
Micah swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “Who?” he asked unsteadily, a twinge of skepticism in his tone that weakened as soon as he spoke. “God?”
“Yeah,” Mark whispered. “Maybe this isn’t some cosmicjoke…but rather adivineplan. God works in mysterious ways. And he probably is enjoying it, not to bemean—but because he knows the ending. He knows where he’s taking you and the joy and love he plans to bestow upon you.”
Micah slowly arched an eyebrow. “Do youreallybelieve all that?” Again, his intended skepticism waned as his heart raced like a locomotive, barreling through his chest, laboring his breath. It scared the hell out of himhow muchhe wanted to believe everything Mark was saying.
Mark smiled. “Yes, I do.”
“So…what?” Micah stepped back and paced a few feet then looked at Mark. “You really think that man is going to mysteriously show up in my life again?” His brow crinkled as his emotions churned chaotically. “Do you know howimprobablethat is?”
“As improbable as how you met him in the first place?”
Micah swallowed hard and shook his head. “Maybe you believe it…but I don’t. I mean, if God was working in my favor, then what the hell wasBenall about? Why make me believe for that split second, and then rip it away? What was the point ofthat?”
“I don’t know,” Mark murmured. “Maybe he neededyouto understand and acknowledge how much you really wanted it, and how ready you were to open your heart.”
“So, why wait so long?” Micah mumbled. “I asked for a miraclelast year.And now…” his throat worked. “I don’t even care about it anymore.” He came forward. “I can be happy with whatwehave, Mark. We’re good together.”
Mark took his hands and drew him closer. He softly kissed his lips. “I think you wantusbecause it’ssafe.”He released Micah’s hands and flattened his palms on his chest. “I know you care about me, Micah, but you’re notin lovewith me. If we ended up going our separate ways, you might feel some hurt and even miss me, your heart might get bruised…but it wouldn’t break in pieces. And even if you’re not consciously thinking about that, some part of you understands this.” He stroked Micah’s face. “That part of you that’s scared to death about what happened in the terminal today. If you risked your heart for a love likethat—and lost it—the result would be devastating.” He lowered his eyes and pressed his brow to Micah’s shoulder. “Believe me, I know.”
