Forget-Me-Not

by Kris Bryant

  “I was a jerk at the beginning, but I think you’ve forgiven me, right?” she says and we both giggle. I’ve forgiven her at least a dozen times already. Since we don’t have her motorcycle and her car can only get us so far, we have to walk a ways to get to her favorite spot. It takes us a solid fifteen minutes, but well worth it in the end. The view is spectacular. We sit down and quietly look out across the sea.

  “This is such a beautiful place. It’s too bad you can’t have your farm here,” I say.

  “Cliffs really aren’t great for the animals. They don’t know when to stop walking,” she says. Good point. I’ve noticed that a lot of the farms don’t have fences. Just two days ago we had to stop and wait for sheep to cross the road. Nobody thought it was a big deal.

  “So how do you know which animals are yours and which belong to your neighbors? I mean, you don’t have a lot of fences, especially by the road, so I’m sure the animals get mixed up,” I say.

  “They all have markings. Nobody is dumb enough to try to steal your sheep,” she says.

  “Really? Like ever in the history of Ireland, nobody has taken another person’s property? You can’t expect me to believe that.”

  She laughs. “You think too much, Grace. I’m just messing with you. Yes, there are fences, but most of them are stone or wood. Wire will hurt the animals. The property I’m looking at has stone walls. They aren’t very high, but most sheep don’t wander far from home.”

  “I’d like to come back and see your farm,” I say. She looks at me for a long time before she nods. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

  “Of course I want you to. I just know how busy you are. Plus, who knows when the shop will sell and when I will actually have the farm.”

  “Can we just pretend then?” I sound desperate. I grasp at anything to try to keep this fairytale alive. I know that Kerry is visiting me in a month, but we are both uncertain as to what happens after that. Long distance relationships don’t last at all and she is entirely too beautiful and passionate to be alone. It’s not fair and I know it. She reaches down and plucks a flower and hands it to me.

  “A forget-me-not. Thank you for a fantastic time. I hope that you will always cherish your memories of Ireland and that you never forget me.” She leans over and softly, yet deeply kisses me. She takes my breath away. When we finally break apart, I feel the tears spring up and I swallow hard. I don’t want to cry. Not now. Not in front of her. She runs her fingertips across my cheek and the tears start flowing. She pulls me into her arms and holds me until I’m done.

  “It’s impossible for me to forget you. You’re perfect.” I sniff.

  “Don’t cry. There’s nothing to cry about. We’re amazing together and I’m going to see you soon, okay?” She cups my face and stares into my eyes. I believe her. I believe anything she says.

  “I know. It’s just hard to leave you and all of this.” I’m actually dreading going home.

  “Well, keep this flower and whenever you miss me, just look at it and think about our wonderful time together and that I will be with you again soon,” she says. I want to cry again, but I keep it together. She puts her arm around me and holds me close. I don’t want to leave her. I don’t want to leave this beautiful place, or Abram, or The Irish Garden. I don’t want to go back to my life. My boring, work drenched six-days-a-week job. I hold the flower close to my heart and kiss her. I know we have to go. I know it’s time to head to the airport. She pulls me up to her and holds me and kisses my temple several times before she lets me go. We walk back to the car in silence. I have never known my heart to be this heavy before.

  “At least the weather is nice for your flight out,” she says. I think about Ailis, the kind, older lady who sat next to me on my flight over and how she told me the flights to Ireland are usually pretty rocky.

  “I’m not the greatest flyer,” I say.

  “Neither am I. The longest flight I’ve ever been on was about four hours,” Kerry says. She’s going to hate me by the time she reaches Dallas. At least her layover is in Philadelphia so the longest leg of her journey to me is the six hours it takes to get there.

  “Then you will hate me after your flight over to me. It’s a bear,” I say.

  “I’m not worried. I can read or watch movies. As a real estate agent, you end up spending a lot of time alone. I know how to entertain myself.” She smiles encouragingly at me. I know she’s trying to help get my mind off of leaving, but it’s hard when I know I won’t be able to reach out for her whenever I want. Apparently, I’m not good at long distance or whirlwind affairs. I honestly don’t know how Morgan does it. How can she even think of sharing herself with several women at once?

  “Too bad there is this thing called the Atlantic Ocean between us,” I say. Naturally, we reach the airport in record time without even trying.

  “Isn’t this how it always is? When you are in a hurry, everybody is in your way. When you have all the time in the world, there is nothing in your way,” she says. She surprises me by parking in the garage instead of just dropping me off at the curb.

  “What are you doing?” I ask.

  “I’m not going to just drop you off. I’m going to make sure you get to your gate and that we have a few minutes together that aren’t side by side in a car.” She makes me smile. I reach for the door handle when she parks, but she pulls me back to her. “Close your door.” I shiver. She’s doing that control thing again. It’s my weakness. She cups my face in her hands and gives me the longest, deepest kiss. My heart is in my throat and I moan with appreciation. I’m desperate for more. I clutch her to me. I don’t care that people can see us. After several intense minutes, we break apart. I rub my thumb on her bottom lip.

  “Now that’s what I call a send-off,” I say. She gives me her crooked, sexy smile. My heart jumps. I sigh and reluctantly get out of the car. My legs are wobbly and it takes me a few seconds to steady myself.

  “Are you all right?” she asks. She takes my bag from me and reaches for my hand.

  “When you kiss me like that, I can’t quite function right away,” I confess. She grabs my free hand and walks me into the airport. The airport is huge, but Kerry knows exactly where to go and gets me to the security line, again, in no time. She pulls me to the side into a semi-private alcove before the line starts.

  “Listen, don’t be sad that you’re leaving. I’ll see you in just a few short weeks, okay?” She cups my chin to make sure that I don’t look away. Her strength gives me strength.

  “I know. I’m fine now. I’ve always hated good-byes.”

  “They certainly aren’t fun. Please let me know when you’ve made it home safely, okay?” I love that she hasn’t stopped touching me. Her fingers tuck my hair behind my ear and run along my jawline. “Favorite part about Ireland?”

  “You,” I say and kiss her softly. I feel her moan into me as we deepen the kiss. I hear giggling off in the distance and pull away from her. “Okay, I have to go. I will talk to you soon, okay?”

  “Be careful and good luck,” she says. I grab my bags and make my way through security. She waits until I’m through and am able to wave to her one last time. I could stare at her for hours. As slight as she is, she commands attention. I’m aware of other people noticing her, too, and smile because she is mine, at least for a little while longer.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Hey, Earth to Grace.” Morgan snaps her fingers in front of me, trying to bring me back to our meeting about the Beck account. Alisa gathered great information at the meeting earlier in the week, and Morgan and her staff are trying to convince me to sign off on their idea.

  “Oh, sorry, guys. Can you give me a few minutes?” I ask. Morgan dismisses them for a fifteen minute break. She asks the last one who leaves to close the door on her way out. I’m either in trouble because I’m not participating, or she’s mad as hell because I’m not concentrating. Either way, I’m about ready to have my ass handed to me.

  “Grace, I know this has be
en a hard week getting back into the swing of things, but I really need you to focus. This isn’t just about you. These people, this company, we all need your input to knock this thing out of the park. Okay?” I stare at her and try hard to shake Kerry from my thoughts, but she’s nestled deep inside of me and isn’t going anywhere soon. “Just give me ten minutes. That’s all I want. Then you can go back to your office and pine away for Kerry.” I bristle because she says it to me in a condescending way. I take a deep breath before I answer.

  “I know, I know. You’ve been covering for me since I left and I owe you so much. Okay, let me review the boards again real quick and I’ll tell you what I think.”

  She heads over to the coffee maker and pours herself a cup, giving me my requested space and time. I’m not excited about their idea. It’s hard to make gardening tools sexy and exciting, and her group barely tried.

  “Your client caters to the middle class, but all of these suggestions are geared toward the one percent. Those people don’t even know a shovel from a hoe. They have gardeners and arborists to take care of their properties. And based on what Alisa said about Beck, he’s very grounded. You need to think dads who work during the week and need tools to help them finish their yard projects in record time so they can spend time playing with their families after work and on the weekends.”

  “That’s been done though,” she says. I know her feelings are hurt, but this is what we do best. We tell each other the truth and produce better material because of it.

  “Yeah, so the challenge is to make it special. Make it current. Find out his boundaries. What does he stand for?”

  Morgan stares at me for a few seconds, processing what I’ve said. “This is why I need you here. I need that brain power.”

  “Maybe he has a gay brother and he’s okay with a commercial of two dads working the yard, then playing football or wrestling with their kids and dog after the lawn is mowed. Or if he’s not into that, show a family who fosters dogs on the weekends who keep their yard cleaned up to protect and nurture the animals. Just something more people can relate to and apply it to their lives. This stuff? You can do better.” I point to the presentation spread out on the conference room table.

  She sighs. “You’re right. Well, can we get on a conference call with Beck later this morning? You are so much better at schmoozing with the clients.” I agree to that. “Thanks, Grace. I’ll set it up with Beck’s admin and I’ll let you know.” I jot down a few notes so that I don’t forget them because even I know I’ve only given about twenty-five percent this week since I’ve been back. “Any word yet on the shop? Any potential buyers?”

  “Nothing yet, but it’s still early. They’re posting it under both residential and commercial. From what I understand, their zoning laws are almost non-existent. That would be a kick ass house if somebody wanted to convert it. Fantastic location. I’m sorry you weren’t able to see it.”

  “Your relationship with Kerry might have been different if I was there,” she says.

  “Probably, but our chemistry is unmistakable. We would have hooked up, but maybe only once or twice.” I know Morgan is watching me, so I try to look uninterested in this conversation even though my palms are sweaty and I keep trying to swallow my heart. I refuse to reach for my water because then she will see my hands shake.

  “Have you talked to her a lot since you’ve been back?” I know what she’s doing. We’ve been friends long enough.

  I shrug. “A few times. She’s excited about coming to Dallas. There is so much she wants to see.” Mostly me, but I leave that part out.

  “Don’t play with me, woman. I know that look. That lost puppy dog look with the sad eyes. You’re in love with her,” she says.

  I jerk my head up. I was not expecting that. “No, I’m not,” I say defensively.

  “Yes, you are. I’ve seen you this way twice before. In college with Julie and this last one.” She still won’t say her name. “You were just like this, only now you’re worse.” I shake my head and she stops me. “Yeah, you’ve got it bad. I can’t wait to meet her.” She rubs her hands together and I shake my head at her again.

  “I just didn’t like how fast everything went. I was there, we had a great time together and had really, really good sex, and then it was time to come home. I’m completely lost. We didn’t have time for any afterglow really,” I say. Morgan looks at me like I’m crazy. “You know, the time when you have really great sex and then cuddle and snuggle and lock yourselves in a room for weeks until one of you has to work or eat.”

  “That’s not true. That’s what you did the final week there,” Morgan says. She does have a point. Kerry and I stayed in the apartment for two days straight, naked and hungry for one another.

  “Okay, then maybe it’s because I wanted more and had to come home. We’re still in the getting to know one another phase so I wasn’t done getting to know her.”

  “I promise not to bother you girls when she gets into town next week. At least not on days when you have something planned.”

  “Because you know I will kill you if you bother me. I’m half tempted to ask for my key back from you just in case you decide to do something embarrassingly stupid.” I narrow my eyes threateningly.

  She holds her hands up in a surrendering gesture. “I wouldn’t think about it. I know how important she is to you and wouldn’t dream of interrupting.” She smiles. “I’m happy for you, Grace. Now, get out of here so I can yell at my team. I’ll call you when I hear back from Beck.” We don’t hug at work because we want everyone to think our relationship is work only, so when I walk by her to get out of the room, I wink at her and am rewarded with a hefty smack on my ass. So much for professionalism.

  *

  “Grace. I don’t want you to get into trouble at work.” Kerry and I are Skyping. I’m getting ready for bed and she’s just waking up. Technically, I woke her up, but she assures me she was planning on getting up early today. She looks delicious. I wish I was curled up next to her, our bodies entwined.

  “It’s not a problem. Really. It’s just a funny story. I’d say get out of my head, but I kind of like you there,” I say. I’m rewarded with a smirk. “How’s Abram doing?”

  “He’s fine. I think he misses you. He’s forever looking out of the window, according to Leigh. She came by to see Emma and Ian and filled me in on what’s happening at the shop. They are staying away from the wedding business in case the shop sells before the orders can be filled, but are getting a lot of flowers for spring parties, dances, graduations, and things like that.”

  “Any nibbles on the business?” I ask. It’s not something I want to really talk about, but we do need to discuss it.

  “A few people have called, but I’ve not set up any appointments. I don’t expect it to be a long wait though. I just hope it stays local and a giant business doesn’t buy it. I don’t expect that to happen, but you never know.”

  Her answer depresses me. “I’m sure it won’t be long and I have last say on who buys it anyway, right? I mean, I don’t have to accept the offers if I don’t approve?”

  “No, you don’t, but you also don’t want to miss an opportunity. The market is okay, but not great. I say if somebody has the money, then sell it. Don’t worry about what I think.” Sure, like I’m heartless.

  “Well, we can talk about it when we do get an offer. In the meantime, let’s talk about you and the fact that you are going to be here this week. I’m so excited. It’s already hot here, so don’t worry about sweaters or jackets. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to worry about clothes at all if you don’t want to,” I say. She smiles at me.

  “I will pack light, I’m sure. I want to have plenty of room for baby clothes and toys for Ian.” I’ve told her that I already have a stack of cute clothes that I couldn’t resist buying. She is going to be one hundred times worse. I’ve scheduled one afternoon where we shop, but not a lot of other things. I plan to utilize every minute reacquainting myself with her body.
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  “Go to bed, sweets. It’s late there and I don’t want you to get in trouble at work anymore because of me. Please get some sleep. I will call you Thursday before I board the plane, okay?” I nod like it’s not a big deal that she will be here in three days. It takes us awhile to say our good-byes and even then I’m reluctant to hang up. My condo is ready for her. I’ve scrubbed and cleaned everything twice already. I will go grocery shopping Wednesday after work and stock the refrigerator with everything. I don’t want to have to leave unless it’s an agreed upon outing. I put away my laptop and turn my alarm on. I have to get up in five hours and put in extra time this week since I’m taking Friday and Monday off. Sherry wasn’t excited, but she really can’t complain too much about time I want off. I have fifty days of vacation left, even after taking time off for Ireland. It’s just a matter of time before they reevaluate the company’s vacation policy, mostly because of me. Tomorrow morning, I have another meeting with Morgan and her team, and another meeting in the afternoon with our post-production team. The Beck account will be presented Wednesday and Morgan asked that I stand in with them. All of these are important business matters and I find my interest waning. My job seems so superficial and empty since I’ve been back. I can’t seem to get interested in it. I’m surviving strictly by the mechanics of it. My heart is somewhere else.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The first thing I do, before I even kiss her or hug her is touch her face. I can’t believe she is right here in front of me. She clutches me, but she understands my need to look at her before we embrace.

  “You made it,” I say right before I kiss her soundly on the mouth in front of everybody at the airport. She holds me close. We’re in everybody’s way, but nobody says anything to us.

  “I’m finally here. What a journey,” she says. I grab one of her bags and her hand and take her away from everybody. She is surprised at the size of the airport.