Page 141 of Even Ground

Her eyes are tired, but they’re full of all the love I’ve come to know as she lays eyes on me.

I start walking, meeting her and her luggage trolley half way. She lets go of it.

“Hey, you.”

Sliding my arms around her waist, I pull her to me. She gazes into my eyes.

“I thought you were never going to get here.” I pout.

“You are such a big baby, but I love you very much.” She slips her arms around my neck.

I laugh. Some things never change between us.

“Might not ever let you go now.”

“Well, you won’t have to for a little while.”

I kiss her, ignoring the fact we’re in a crowded airport and that anyone could take a photo of us. I don’t care. All I want is Pania.

“Ahem.” From behind us comes the sound of someone clearing their throat loudly.

I break away from Pania and turn.

Josh, to Delaney’s delight, is making a gagging noise and pretending to put his finger down his throat.

“Dude.”

“You used to do the same to him.” Pania wags her finger. “Payback’s a bitch.”

Delaney passes Addison to Josh and steps forward, her arms open. Her eyes fill with tears, and my stomach falls at the words we exchanged back at the house.

I turn back to look at Pania. She smiles at me, but it’s clear she’s fighting too from the way she’s blinking.

Taking a step back, I draw in a deep breath as Delaney and Pania embrace.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Delaney says. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Pania hugs her tight. “I’ve missed you too. Can’t wait to meet your baby.”

“She’s right over here.”

Pania gasps at the sight of Addison. “Hello, beautiful girl. You’re so much like your big sister.”

Addison blinks, those long eyelashes framing her big blue eyes always get me.

Pania reaches for Addison and Josh passes her over. She snuggles into Pania’s chest as Pania rocks her gently.

“You might not get your baby back now,” she says to Josh.

He laughs, and it’s a welcome distraction because my chest might just burst at the sight of Pania holding a baby—especially the daughter of two of my best friends.

And that’s how we leave the airport. Pania cradles Addison while talking to Delaney, Josh is hand in hand with Amelia. I’m left pushing the luggage trolley.

It doesn’t upset me. It’s amusing considering the way we left the airport when Delaney moved here. Josh pushed the luggage while I walked out with one arm around Delaney’s shoulders, the other hand holding Amelia’s.

I guess payback really is a bitch.

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