Page 87 of Reckless Love
When I saw his face in baggage claim, holding a huge bouquet of flowers, all my anxieties faded. He rushed toward me and hugged me so hard I couldn't breathe.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He laughed when I squeaked. He rubbed my arms apologetically when he pulled back to smile at me. “Here.” He handed me the flowers. “I’m just so happy to see you.”
“Thank you. These are beautiful. I’m so happy to see you,” I said. I took a better look at him and made a face. “Where are you getting all these muscles? Every time I see you, there are more.”
He laughed. “I have to keep up with everyone and maintain my Sexiest Man Alive title.”
“Right. Way to go on snagging it yet another year,” I said dryly.
“Yeah, you ‘congratulated’ me already, but I don't think I got near enough props.”
He put his arm around me as we walked toward the baggage carousel. A few people recognized him; I saw them elbowing each other as we walked by. It was weird having a famous best friend.
“I gave you plenty of props. Just look at this, hold on.” I bent down and dug through my carry-on and pulled out a little black bag.
He lifted his eyebrows, grinning. The guy had always loved a gift.
“What's this?” he asked.
“Open it,” I said.
He opened it up and his eyes crinkled as he laughed hard. I think I drooled a little bit, staring up at him. He held up the present—a key chain with a caricature of him…if he was skinny and dorky…with the words Sexiest Man Alive in bold black letters.
“It's so sad that you think I look like this,” he said, still laughing.
“You're alittlebetter in person.”
“You are so good on my ego.”
The bags started rolling out.
“Which bag is yours?”
“It's massive and hot pink.”
“Of course, it is.”
“Oh, over there…that one.”
He hauled my bag off and put his hand on the small of my back as we started toward the exit. I shivered but hoped he wouldn't notice.
“Chilly?” he asked.
“A little,” I lied.
He put his arm around me to warm me up and I inhaled his spectacular Rhodes’ scent.
“My parents cannot wait to see you,” he said. “My mom has been cooking for two days and it's been so long since she cooked that she’s worried she doesn’t remember how.”
I laughed. “I’m sure everything she makes will be delicious. It always is. I cannot wait to seethem. I know I went on about your dad’s last movie to you forever on the phone last month, and full disclosure, I'm afraid I might gush over him about it. But I think I deserve a pass because I never have before now.”
“Girl, you better not fangirl over my dad. I'll be so jealous. You don't give me that kind of love.”
I shoved him playfully. “You've got plenty of love coming in fromallover.”
“Not from the person that matters.”
I looked at him and he lifted his shoulder likewhat?