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“It’s my favorite spot,” he whispered playfully, chuckling, and she knew he was flirting incorrigibly with her – and she liked it.
“We should probably…”
“Get one of our phones out so we can take a picture together?”
Emily looked at him nervously, and saw his warm smile as he gazed at her. She sat there looking at him – before feeling his forehead.
“Are you running a fever?”
“No,” he blurted out, chuckling, before taking her hand from his head and kissing her palm. “I just see a beautiful woman before me, sharing a moment I really enjoy, and I want to be able to look at your smile when I’m back in Ghazni.”
“Oh Lord… he’s gone septic, in shock, and dying,” she muttered – and heard his peal of laughter as he hugged her.
“C’mere you…” he said playfully, shifting slightly and leaning her back against one arm before laying the other across her lap, cradling her against him. “I meant every word,” he whispered softly against her lips, his eyes searching hers.
“Why?” she asked, unable to help herself. “What happened to being friends?”
“We can’t be friends… or more?”
“For all I know you have a wife and little ones crawling all over a house, or a girl in every city you visit. I mean, you’re…you…”
“What does that mean?”
Emily pursed her lips and looked away, feeling embarrassed.
“I plead the fifth…” she said loftily in a small voice.
“Oh, no you don’t,” he laughed, cradling her closer and nuzzling her cheek before kissing her ear. Emily wasn’t even squirming or fighting him; instead, just savoring the warmth and closeness between them. “Do I seem like the kind of guy that would have a girl in every city?”
“You are awfully flirtatious…”
“With you – and only you,” he smiled tenderly, before leaning forward to kiss her softly. His lips brushed against hers, gently coaxing at her, deepening the kiss, before pulling back and speaking to her in a voice that was thick with emotion. “I can’t think about or see anyone, but your lovely smile… and really want a photo of us.”
She started to open her mouth – and he shook his head.
“Promise me you’ll write,” he asked softly. “Stay here with me, in this little place. Let’s pretend we have limitless time together… let me hold you, talk to you, and kiss you for a little while longer.”
“Promise me there’s no other girls in other locations,” she whispered nervously, searching his eyes. “That you aren’t toying with me, saying the words I want so badly to believe, and that this is as real and honest as it feels… I’m so scared that it’s not.”
He sat there for what felt like forever, making her wonder what it was he was thinking before he spoke.
“I came here as a favor to a friend, planning on meeting my pen pal, and then heading back…” John said quietly, not looking away from her eyes. “I don’t have anyone else in my life, no other girls except my pen pal, Jana, and I promise we are only friends – and barely that. She’s polite, someone to chat with when I’m bored, and it’s the same for her.”
Emily nodded silently, hoping he would keep talking.
“I never expected any of this and I am just being myself – as real and honest as I can be. I don’t ever intend to hurt you or anyone else’s feelings, but I am also flying back out tomorrow… as I’ve mentioned before. I like you, a lot, and I really want to get to know you better, Emily.”
She sat there in the enclosure of his arms, not looking away, as he waited.
“Will you write me?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she replied, her eyes searching his. “Will you tell me if this isn’titfor you someday? I don’t want to wonder or worry. I would rather have someone tell me like it is and not sugarcoat it to spare my feelings.”
“Yes,” he whispered, a soft promise between them. “And you’ll do the same for me? You’ll tell me when this isn’t what you want, or if I’ve mucked it up somehow?”
She nodded, her throat convulsing as she realized that they were promising more than what those simple words were. Instead of responding or saying anything, she handed him the phone.
“Your arms are longer than mine,” she said simply, in explanation.
