Page 33 of Worlds Apart
“I see.” The woman smiled. “And your employer is in the United States?”
“Yes, I won’t be working for any Kenyan companies while I’m here. I’m simply working online for my US employer.”
“Thank you.” Finally, the woman stamped her passport and handed it back with a smile. “Welcome to Kenya, Miss Randolph.”
“Thank you.Jambo.”
The immigration officer smiled. “Ah! You’re learning Swahili? That’s excellent.”
“I’m trying.” This time Sunny’s smile was genuine and she felt a well of gratitude at the friendliness of this utter stranger. “I really love Kenya.”
The officer’s eyes softened. “I’m sure you will have a wonderful time here. Especially with your friend to show you around.”
“Thank you.” Sunny gathered her documents and tucked them into her shoulder bag, then she grabbed the handle of her roller bag and headed in the direction of the baggage claim. She had two massive suitcases packed and she was still thinking about how she was going to get them in a cab and up the stairs to her second story flat when she heard someone call her name.
“Sunny?”
She turned and saw Martin standing across the hallway.
Her eyes went wide. “Martin.”
He was frozen in place, dressed in a pair of slacks and a polo shirt. He had a backpack and a roll-on bag, clearly ready to travel.
He looks amazing.
Was she dreaming? Had Alice told him she was coming? She’d planned on contacting him when she settled in, but she hadn’t prepared what she was going to say.
“I’m…” She stammered. “Uh—”
“What are you doing here?” Martin walked across the hallway, looking as shocked as Sunny felt. “You’re here. Why are you here?”
Because I’m almost thirty and I’m in love with you. But not only because of that.She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again, but all that came out was… “Hi.”
He stared at her. “You’re in Kenya.”
“I am.”
Martin lifted a boarding pass. “I’m flying to America.”
She frowned. “They gave you a visa?”
“It’s a business visa and I received an apology from—You’re in Nairobi!”
A passenger with a large backpack bumped Sunny’s shoulder. “And you’re flying to America?”
“No! Yes.” He blinked. “I’m supposed to. My flight leaves—but you’re here.”
Crowds were maneuvering around them and Sunny was starting to feel like a stalled car in traffic. “I should go get my luggage.” She gestured in the direction foot traffic was flowing. “Do you need to make a flight? Because I’m going to be here for three months, so if you—”
“Three months?” A laugh burst from his mouth. “You’re here for three months?”
“Yeah.” She started to back away down the terminal and Martin followed at a short distance. “I was going to call you when I got settled in so if you’re flying to the US for work—”
“I am not flying to America for work, I am flying there because I love you.”
Sunny froze and Martin kept walking toward her.
A few people in the terminal around them laughed. One woman yelped as if someone had stood on her toe, and two businessmen turned to each other and chuckled quietly.
