Page 117 of Impossible Love

A voice behind whispers, “Go get him, girl.”

I bust through the elevator doors and skid to a stop on the marble floors. I look all around me. I don’t see him. I see some of my neighbors getting their mail and chatting. I see someone behind the residential security desk. But I don’t see Cal MacLaine.

I run to the front doors, push through, and reach the sidewalk. He’s not here, either. I don’t see a dark-haired head bobbing over the pedestrians. Did he already get in a car? Did he go around the corner?

My heart is lodged in my throat as I race back inside my building. I’m out of breath when I careen into the security desk. I must look like the desperate, love-crazed woman I am.

“Have you seen a man about six-four, black hair, with incredible violet-blue eyes? He’s wearing…” Oh, shit. What was Cal wearing? I don’t even remember. All I saw was his face. The sadness in his expression. The smile he offered me when he left. “Pants! He was wearing pants—jeans, I think?”

I hear the elevator ding! open. I see a dog walker stumble out with four unruly dogs on leashes. He’s followed by a family with three kids. I don’t see Cal. I’m about ready to cry. I turn back to the guard.

“Have you seen him?”

“Well, let’s see. You said about six-four? A real big guy, right?”

“Yes!”

“Light blue denim shirt?”

“Maybe—where did he go?”

“Nowhere. He’s standing right behind you.”

I spin around. All I can do is laugh—with happiness, relief.

Pure joy.

“No wonder she was in a hurry,” one of my elevator squad says.

Cal looks puzzled. He has a right to be. I’m such an idiot. I need to make this as clear as I can, tell him in a way that he can’t misinterpret. I need to tell him how I feel.

I run toward him. He opens his arms and I jump. I’m in the air, seeing the surprise on his face just as I slam into him. He’s got me—hands under my thighs as I swing my legs around his waist. I grab his face and kiss him with all the fierce desperation I feel.

His scent surrounds me. His strong arms hold me. I am exactly where I need to be.

I lift my lips from his long enough to whisper, “I love you so much, Cal.”

His mouth is hard on mine, hungry. I release his face and bring my arms around his neck, hanging on, pulling him closer. It’s impossible to get him close enough. Our kiss goes on and on, until I’m gasping for breath.

He pulls back and looks into my face, his eyes filled with questions even as he laughs.

“Yes, you heard that right. I said I love you,” I repeat. “I’ve been in love with you since San Francisco, too. It killed me to leave you. I’ve been so lost without you. I’ve missed you so much.”

Another crushing kiss. His hands are all over my back and thighs. I’m afraid to let go of him. I’m afraid if I loosen my grip he’ll be gone.

He twirls around, kissing me, his laughter tickling my lips.

“Children live in this building, you know.”

We stop spinning just in time for me to locate the teenage girl who said that. She waggles her eyebrow at us.

Cal lets me slide down his body. When my feet hit the floor, I realize my shirt has bunched up under my bra. I tug the fabric into place, even if it’s a little late for modesty.

The guard clears his throat behind me. “So, is this the man, or do you need to keep looking?”

Laughter breaks out around us. I glance over to see the smiling security guard and a crowd of witnesses in a semicircle around us. One of my elevator ladies is wiping a tear from her cheek.

I gulp in a deep breath and reach for Cal’s hand. He laces his fingers with mine and squeezes.

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