AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But you’re working?”
“How about you go to my suite, and I’ll meet you there in an hour. I’ll finish this up.”
I nod without a word. Before Andy steps back to the crew waiting, he touches my cheek. “It’s going to be okay, Jessa.”
Andy doesn’t push, knowing me too well and how my silence speaks words my head and heart can’t seem to connect.
Inside Andy’s suite, I take a seat on the lounge and pull my journal out. With my pen in hand, I begin to write but stop to glance at my surroundings. The hotel suite is luxurious, but the scent inside the room is all Andy. I close my eyes, breathing it in, then release my breath and place my pen again on the paper to write.
The emotions evoked from the words spilling out bring on sudden tiredness. After last night’s restless sleep, I slowly doze off until my eyes can’t stay open any longer.
“Jessa,” Andy murmurs when my eyes begin to flutter open.
“Andy?”
“I’m here.”
I stretch my back to relieve the ache. “Did I fall asleep?”
He nods. “You looked tired.”
When I move again, my journal falls to the ground. Andy reaches down to pick it up and hands it back to me.
“Is this the journal Noah gave you the Christmas before you left?”
A thickness forms in my throat, yet I fight back the tears willing to fall. Andy’s recollection only makes me realize how much of myself I’d sacrificed to be here. My family, our friendship, but most importantly, all of me.
“It is,” I say faintly. “I’ve started writing again.”
A slow smile builds on Andy’s face. “I knew you would.”
All of a sudden, a familiar smell lingers in the air. The savory scent brings back fond memories. Then, beside Andy, I see a brown paper bag.
“What’s inside the bag?”
“A surprise.”
“It smells good.” I grin, rubbing my hands.
“For you, I’m not surprised.” Andy passes the bag over. I open it up and see the familiar purple bell logo. “Stomach ache waiting to happen.”
“No way! Did you get me Taco Bell? I didn’t even know they had it here.”
“Oh, they do,” Andy responds less than enthused. “I thought it might cheer you up.”
I take the wrapped taco out of its packaging, desperate to taste it. As soon as I bite in, I moan in delight. It’s just as good as I remember.
“Oh, God, I love you.”
Andy lowers his gaze, a smirk playing on his lips, only for me to realize what I’ve said. My chewing slows down while I try to work out how to backtrack on my sentiment.
“Um, you know what I mean.”
“You’re in love with a taco. You always have been.”
I welcome his humor, taking another bite until the taco juice squirts onto my shirt and skirt, causing me to gasp.
“My taco squirted!”
