“No need to worry, Nugget. Many women have told me how much they appreciate my romantic bone,” Rev grinned.
“Ugh, just what I wanted to know…”
Stella laughed and said, “You asked for it.”
For the next hour, they took turns sharing memories of their trip, often stopping the slideshow to relive a moment.
Stella gasped when a photo of her and David on the observation deck of the Montparnasse Tower filled the screen.
“When did you take this, Nam?” Seeing him in the photo made her heart miss a beat. She wished David could be with them right now.
“When you two were immersed in one of your many little talks. Looked more like flirting to me, though.”
Stella’s phone rang with a familiar ringtone and she jumped up to answer it. “David wants to FaceTime. Is it okay with you guys?”
“Sure, put him on,” Luca said.
“Hi, baby, how are you?” Stella greeted David. “We’re looking at the trip photos. Wanna say hi to the gang? Wait, I’ll flip the camera setting.”
“Bring ’em on, love,” he smiled. “Hi, guys, how’s it going? Luca, Jo, good to see you.”
“Doing well. I hear you’re out of the doghouse, but I’m warning you, all eyes are on you,” Luca laughed. “Big brother and all…”
“I wouldn’t expect anything different,” David said. “I know I’ll have to earn my way back into everybody’s good graces. I really look forward to seeing you all in November.”
“We’ll make sure to get together. Let me know if you also swing by New York. We’ll go out for a beer or two.”
“Would love to; sounds good.”
Stella switched the phone’s screen back and stepped outside, holding her hand under the splashing water. “How was your day?”
“Good. The usual stuff. Did the new fountain finally get installed? I hear water in the background,” he asked.
“Yes, I thought I mentioned it when it was delivered. And I got my tickets today. I’ll arrive in London at ten in the morning on Saturday, September first.”
“Perfect, I’ll pick you up at the airport. I have a performance in the evening, but we have all day until around 5. Wanna come to the show?”
“No, not on the first night. I’ll be too tired. But I’d like to go on Sunday.”
“Sure.” He lowered his voice, “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too” Stella said quietly.
“I love you. We’ll talk tomorrow. Okay, baby?”
“Okay. Goodnight.”
Stella joined the others, but her mind was far away while they continued their slideshow. The amicable way David was being welcomed back into their group, how Luca playfully told him he’d be watching him, was calming her underlying jitters. He fit right in three years ago, when he came for the first dinner, and he’d fit right in again.
“Whoa, hold it there for a second.” Revan sat up straight and stared at the screen. “Who’s that?”
“Me, Shutterbug,” Naomi said. “Do you need glasses?”
“I’m talking about the guy feeling you up.”
“What? Are you stupid? Nobody’s feeling me up.”
“What’s his hand doing under your shirt, then?” Rev got up and pointed to the spot in question.
“Who cares?” she shrugged it off.
“When did you have time to meet someone in Paris?” Rev stood close to Naomi and glowered at her. “So, who is Mr. Tentacle?”
“He’s the guy who saw you in the tunnels, right after you let Creepy Cop truss you up.”
“And what’s your connection again? I don’t think you ever told me.”
“Oh, Rev, it’s a long story and for another day. I do happen to meet people without your pre-approval.” Naomi patted his cheek and walked away.
Stella followed her and pulled her aside, “What’s up?”
“I don’t know. This shit with Rev is getting to me more than it used to. I’m sorry, but I think I’ll be heading home.”
“I’m sorry. We can tell Rev to mind his own business.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
They hugged and Naomi called out, “Bye, all. I’m going home. Puppy duty—I promised Mom and Dad I’ll do the evening poop tour around the block.”
“Hey, Nugget, don’t talk to strangers,” Rev called after her.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m a big girl.”
CHAPTER 38
Stella—September 2018
S
tella shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. They were still sweaty and trembling.
Before landing at Heathrow Airport, the Airbus A-330 had been forced to fly countless loops through heavy rain gusts, shaking the airplane as if it weighed nothing. Is this storm an omen for what’s to come? What if this week in London is a mistake?
“Next!” yelled the middle-aged immigration officer.
“What’s the reason for your visit?” he asked when Stella handed over her passport.
“Vacation,” she replied. Why do their questions always make one nervous? They had no reason to deny her entry. But she’d be glad when she had her luggage and walked out into the arrivals area. With a little luck, straight into David’s arms.
She couldn’t wait to see him. No way was it a mistake to be here. And she’d never been to London, so that was an added perk. Plus she’d already collected a folder full of ideas for sightseeing and day trips.
The officer slammed an immigration stamp into her passport and handed it back to her. “Enjoy your stay,” he said before he barked, “Next!”
At the baggage carousel, she watched dozens of suitcases go by. Most of them were black or gray, dented and scratched, wearing battle scars from being tossed around the depths of cargo areas around the world. Whole families congregated smack in front of the conveyer belt, fathers telling their children not to touch, but doing nothing to keep their offspring out of the way.
An older woman with a cane stood not far from Stella, and she wondered how on earth such a fragile lady would manage to pull her luggage off. If it arrived with hers, she’d get it for her.
She spotted
