by C. J. Lau
Chapter 29
I’ve never felt more self-conscious than on the short walk back to the hotel. Making sure I didn’t touch my face, wrinkle my dress, or let the wind mess up my hair.
Finally, after a few anxious minutes, we’re nestled back in the wind-proof hotel room, hands safely by my side. Bare legs swinging over the edge.
“Solo is not going to know what hit him. Now do you have a pair of heels that can go with that dress?”
I give a little nod. “Yes. But am I allowed to move and get them?”
Her laughter lets me relax, but only just. And before I know it Cat has my suitcase open, peering in. “Hmm,” escaping her lips. I scramble through my mind for anything embarrassing I packed.
She turns, hiding what’s in her hands. “Take your shoes off.”
“You practising to be a bridesmaid or something?” I ask. Try not to kick out at the light tickling of Cat’s hands. Toes forced to point.
“Depends. You planning on getting married?”
Talk of marriage clenches my stomach tight, staring down at my bare knees. Yes screaming out of everywhere but my mouth. “Hope so.”
“Will I need to fight Carol for Maid-of-honour?” Cat asks. Another little tickle almost earning her a stiletto to the face. “All done.”
I pull her up, sit her beside me. “No contest. Although you’ll need to work on not tickling me.”
More giggles before a long silence. I look down to check out Cat’s handiwork, smile at the knowledge Solo loves these black lace heels, and I love them too.
What’s Solo planning? The question brings unexpected butterflies. What’s he expecting?
I stand, and at first take a few unsteadily steps forward to the mirror. My outfit of choice a black lace pencil dress that stops just above my knees, showing off all the perfection earned from hours in the gym, track, and hockey field. The image unchanged since I left the studio to Clara and Elise’s farewells and compliments.
“What’s wrong?” Cat asks.
Another nervous glance at the clock. Butterflies banging away in my stomach and stealing my voice. I retrieve my jacket and purse, try to calm my nerves with facts.
This is not a first date. I know exactly what to expect from Solo, and exactly how I’ll feel.
Except I’m lying. Have no idea how I’m going to react seeing him.
“Maggie?”
Our last date ended with me crying at my front door. The last time I told him I loved him broke my heart into a thousand tiny shards. It’s taken all my strength to bind it back together again.
“This has to work out,” I breathe out, looking back at Cat now. “There’s no Plan B for this one.”
“I still hate him for what he did,” Cat admits. “But as soon as you saw the flowers I knew you wanted this.”
I pull her into a hug. “Thanks, Cat. I’m so nervous though, what if—”
A shooting red flare stops me mid word. It was not only distance we can’t conquer, but our differing beliefs. All the lectures I’ve received around not being yoked to an unbeliever. Perhaps I should have taken them more seriously. Maybe I would have, had they not come across as so judgemental.
A deep breath settles this for now. “Maybe this is all a big mistake.”
“You just need to relax and let the night play out,” Cat’s voice interrupts my pondering. “Go where your heart takes you and turn off that mind of yours. You aren’t a teacher or a Coach tonight. You are my friend, Maggie, who’s going on a hot date with Solo. Relax!”
Despite towering over Cat in my heels, I feel so small.
“Are you going home with your parents?” I ask.
“Sort of. I’m riding back with Carol and Sam,” she says. “And then we’re going down to the Workers Club for a few drinks.”
So I’m spending the night alone. I think to myself. Calm my shaking legs, adjusting to the heels.
Almost time to head down.
Cat seems to read my mind. “Call me if you end up alone tonight. I can be back in 2 hours. My advice to you is not to come back.”
I turn away from Cat’s mischievous grin. The dress suddenly revealing too much. Wishing for Carol instead; Cat, who sees the world differently, is no help right now.
I made it clear to Solo I was not going to offer him what Candace did so readily, but what would go through his mind once he sees me like this?
I start shaking, on the verge of tears. My arms around myself, room turning suddenly cold.
“Cat, I’m not sure this is a good idea anymore.”
“Yes it is,” Cat doesn’t see it. “Stop playing worst case scenarios and just relax. Just relax and have a great time.”
“Cat! I get it!”
Regret stings hard watching Cat slink back to her bed.
I move after her. “Hey. Sorry!”
Wrinkling the dress secondary to getting my hug in. But it’s her turn not to answer.
“You’re right.” The yearning in my heart for Solo evicts the butterflies. “I’ll just let the night play out.”
Cat’s defeated expression concerns me, a lot. But time is short.
“It’s time to go meet him. Can you come with me?”
A sudden smile from Cat. “Let’s go.”
Time for one last glance in the mirror. I look perfect. Have from the moment I opened my eyes again in the make-up studio.
Play it out, Maggie. Assume nothing.
I follow Cat out the door.
The first sight of Solo waiting for me makes my heart leap, then my more intimate parts.
I’ve halved the distance between us. His quick steps eating up the rest, the look on his face telling me everything I want to know.
Confidence returns with each swaying step, I stop just short. But close enough.
“Eyes up here, Solo,” I tease, plant a peck on his chin. “You haven’t earned the rest of me yet.”
“Wow!”
My confidence threatens to dissolve in one word. Instead I bite my lip and smile slowly back at him. Give his outfit an approving glance.
“Let’s start with dinner. Then you have me all to yourself tonight.”
“And tomorrow,” Cat’s voice makes me turn to see her wide grin. “Just drop her off at Goulburn on Sunday afternoon so she can ride back with the team.”
“Dinner it is then,” Solo bows slightly, reaching out for my arm.
This is how I remember my Solo. Always the gentleman and never the fighter.
Weak at the knees, I offer Solo my arm.
“Have a safe trip back tonight, Cat. I’ll call you.”
“Bye, lovebirds,” Cat calls back.
We head, arm in arm, towards the exit.
I rest my head on his shoulder a few hours later. The silence of the drive back letting me put things in perspective.
A delicious meal leaves no room for butterflies in my stomach. Every flirtatious smile, nod, wink, and kiss lights a fire in my deepest places.
Now what to do with all that fire?
His warm, strong arm around me at a red light. Months of untapped love flowing through a kiss to his cheek. Tonight is a special night.
“So, what now Maggie?” Solo asks. The hotel in full view.
I look down, follow my smooth legs all the way to the pointy toe pumps. My heart beating quicker now, a warm feeling spread through my arms and chest. A feeling from happier days long ago. When my perfect world has all my friends around me, and this incredibly sexy man just walked into my life.
Solo’s driven into the underground car park, is about the cut the engine.
What to do, what to do?
The fire answers for me. “I… um… I suppose we should go inside.”
Solo presses one button when the lift comes. Top floor. I should push the one for my floor. But my hands don’t move.
The awkward silence excruciating as the lift rises. My brain seeming to stop processing as my heart thumps faster and faster with every floor. Tingles up my arms with his han
d squeezing mine. I flash him a smile, really haven’t stopped smiling since we left the hotel.
I’m slow and deliberate, one foot in front of the other. And Solo turns back when he reaches the door to his room. His eyes wild as he realises what I’m doing, and who I’m doing it for.
Carol’s disapproving glance flashes in my mind. What will she think on Sunday?
Am I’m doing this for you? Well, there’s no one else around. Is there?
Without warning a red flag’s up, hard and fast. I’ve been alone with Solo hundreds of times, but this one feels different, and I need to be sure. No taking this back.
Solo’s leaning against the door. Not moving. Not rushing me. Watching me rooted to the spot five steps away.
Relax, Cat had repeated over and over. I walk the remaining steps to join him.
“I love you, Solo.” My heart utters the words by itself, my mouth obliging.
A wonderful warm feeling rushes through my body again. I said it! And I mean it.
“I love you too, Maggie.” Solo smile makes my heart kick up another gear.
He’s close. Almost in my arms as I lean forward to seal our rekindled love with a long kiss. My lips tingling by the time we pull away. His eyes flickering in the dim lights of the corridor. My mind still in a thousand places, knowing with one word he can take me somewhere he has wanted for so long.
But what do I want?
Dozens of voices race through my mind. My head starting to spin. Suddenly tired of everyone’s expectations.
“Maggie?”
Screw them all! My brain signs off with decision made.
I wrap my arms around his neck, plant another kiss. “So… Are you going to invite me in?”
