Page 8 of Love Delayed
After putting on my hoodie and sneakers, I changed out my jewelry and reached for my phone to text my family to check their status. When they replied they were already in the lobby, I grabbed my gear and headed out. We rolled out the double doors and waited for our car. The Denali pulled up, and we climbed in while the driver loaded our bags.
Once we arrived at the airport and reached our gate, we sat conversing in Spanish, my first language taught by my mother. I was anxious to review the numbers again to see if this would be a good move for us. With four properties in Chicago, someone would have to be there to oversee this considerable investment. Since I was the eldest, the task would most likely fall on me, and I immediately decided it would be a no for me.
After the second delay alert, my cousins returned from talking with the agents about our flight.
“Let me call the hotel and check their availability in case we have to stay,” one of my cousins said.
While he was placing the call, I received a text from Eliana.
Eli:Don’t forget the catering appointment is at ten.
Me:Got you. No worries. The Z Spot, correct?
Eli:Yes, and have a safe flight. I love you. Call me when you land.
Me:Will do. Love you back.
A few minutes after our text exchange, I received another notification…this one alerting me the flight had been canceled. My cousins and I decided we would rebook online instead of standing in the long line already formed in front of the ticket counter. Not wanting to have to answer any emails once I got back to the hotel, I told my cousins to go ahead so I could take care of business while I was still in the mood, promising to catch up with them later.
As they left the terminal, I returned my attention to the task at hand…until I heard a voice that broke my focus and instantly gave me butterflies. When I looked up, I saw the long braids of a woman that hung down her back and did not cover her swollen backside. Fuller, yes, but I knew that ass. I shut my eyes and concentrated on the sound of her midwestern accent that I was all too familiar with. I knew it was her. If it wasn’t, this woman had to be her doppelganger. I hurried and gathered my shit because I had to be right there when she turned around. I had to see her face.
I approached the counter and stopped several feet behind her. As I watched her take out her wallet to put her ID back inside, the anticipation became too much for me.
“Zamora?”
She turned to me, and my heart nearly stopped. My mouth went dry, and my eyes blinked uncontrollably. They had to be playing some cruel trick. Suddenly, I felt strange, unlike myself, as I gazed at her.
“Marcus,” she whispered loud enough for me to hear my name escape her sweet-looking lips.
It took every bit of restraint in my 6’3” body to keep from pulling this woman into my arms and kissing her like I’d missed her for ten long years. Thank God we were in a public place. We were interrupted by the clerk, who asked her to allow the next customer to step to the counter, and when she moved, she came closer in my direction.
“I can’t believe it’s you, Zee. What are you doing in Vegas? You look so beautiful… I mean, fantastic. You’re glowing. You look radiant,” I said, stumbling over my words like a nervous teen.
She smiled. “Thank you. Can we?” she asked, pointing towards empty seats nearby.
The gate area had grown relatively empty since the cancellation notice.
“Of course,” I agreed, and we went to sit in a couple of vacant seats.
“Well, I came here for my friend Megan’s wedding on Saturday. They left on Sunday, but I decided to stay and sample some good food. And you? How are you here in Sin City?”
“Wow, it’s so crazy to see you. I ummmmmm…” I intentionally dragged out my response. I feared that if I talked fast, our conversation would end much too soon. “Been here for about four days surveying a property that my family and I may buy. I was headed back home today, but I guess we are stuck here another night,” I responded nervously.
“Yeah, and this is so fucked up because I have a major appointment in the morning, and with all of these cancelations, I may be stuck sleeping in this airport tonight,” she said, looking down at her phone.
“No, I have a spot, and you are more than welcome to stay with me.”
“A spot? I thought you said you were here on business.”
“Not a crib but a hotel suite. The place I’m looking to buy is holding me a suite, and it’s enough room for the both of us. So, if all the hotels are sold out, you are welcome to come with me. We can get some grub and catch up.”
“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to impose, Marc. I’ll be okay here, or I can check back into the hotel I was in,” she said, then frowned. “Damn!”
“What? What is it?” I inquired with concern.
“I can get my room back, but the rate is three times higher,” she said, connecting her brows together with a look of defeat.
“Zee, please don’t do that. When I say I got you, I got you. Now, come on. Let me call us a car,” I said, standing and extending my hand.