Page 101 of Love on Tour
“It’s good to see you. We miss you. I think the whole crew is tired of hearing Austin and me talk about you. Every time I screw up the tickets and put them in the wrong envelope, I tell people if you were with me, it would be perfect. Austin just mopes.”
“It’s good to be missed. I miss you guys, too.” Christine knew she should let go, but she didn’t want to. Moments with Matt were a rarity now, stolen during these classes.
“Line up,” Master Joe yelled.
The moment was broken.
“I better go change,” Matt said, his hand still on her side.
“Might be a good idea.” Her voice came out a whisper.
They moved in to hug each other, but instead of turning their faces to the opposite side, they met in the middle. A kiss on the cheek became a kiss on the lips. Christine knew she should pull away, but she leaned in, loving the feel of his lips on hers. The sound of other people in the room made her pull back.
Christine was mortified. She was sure that hadn’t been his intent, and she didn’t want him to think it was hers. “Oh, I’m sorry, Matt.”
“Why? I’m not. Where’d you park? I’ll walk you to your car.”
She had a flash of him walking her to her car in the dark parking lot, pulling her in for a hug, and then telling her he could no longer stop himself and had to kiss her. A real kiss. The visual ended when she pointed out the window to her car. Matt and everyone else could see it from the window. It was parked in front of the dojang. There would be no kiss.
Matt nodded. “Nice and safe. I’ve got to go change. See you soon.” He squeezed her upper arm ever so gently and went into the men’s room.
She wanted to stay and let him continue touching her, but they could hardly do that in a crowded room. She bolted out the door, opting to leave well enough alone. Even though everyone in the class could see her car, she rushed to unlock it, jumped in, and immediately locked the doors.
She arrived at her condo just as Julianna walked off the elevator carrying four plastic bags from the grocery store.
“Hey, how’d your class go?”
“Good. Very good.”
“Did you see Matt?” Julianna asked.
Christine grabbed two of Julianna’s bags and followed her.
“We kinda kissed but not really,” Christine said, dropping her head down while looking up at Julianna.
“Eeeek! Come in. Gotta hear this. Cup of tea?” Julianna asked.
“Always.”
“Earl Grey or French vanilla?”
“French vanilla. Decaf if you have it.”
“Just bought some. I think it’s in the bag you have,” Julianna said, pointing.
Christine dug through the bag and pulled it out.
Julianna was putting away groceries and Christine felt comfortable enough helping herself in the kitchen.
“Do you want some tea?” Christine asked.
“Sure. Thank you.”
They finished their tasks and moved to the couch, propping their feet on the coffee table, which Christine was sure had cost at least three thousand dollars.
“So?”
“You know how sometimes you go to hug someone, and you both move your face to the same side and you almost kiss?”
