Page 34 of Forever Fascinating

“Good.”

CHAPTER8

JANA

Attention passengers, Flight 1204 to Springfield, Massachusetts has had a gate change. We will now be departing from gate 25A located in terminal A. All passengers for flight 1204 please make your way to terminal A at this time.

* * *

“Ughhhhhhh…”Jana groaned, getting to her feet.

This was the second gate change in the last twenty minutes, but this time it was for an entirely different terminal. This meant she had to get to the tram and get to an entirely separate building, before walking all the way down to her gate.

Gathering her light jacket for the flight, her water bottle, and her book, she slung her backpack over one shoulder. Several other people around her were grumbling about the gate change as well…

Sighing heavily, she found the tram and was at the new terminal moments later, emptying several other frustrated passengers into the pedestrian walkway.

Adjusting her backpack again, she looked at the screens just to make sure there wasn’t yetanothergate change… and heard her name.

“Jana?”

Looking to her left, her heart staggered in her chest, seeing Matthew standing there in his uniform with a large duffle bag beside him, looking stunned.

“Bunt-boy?” she began, smiling widely, only to realize that she was in the most comfortable outfit she owned – and comfort did not equal ‘good looking’. No, she was wearing leggings, a large baggy T-shirt, and some slip-on travel shoes.

Seeing his grin, he immediately stepped towards her, hugging her boldly before she could say another word. This surprised her – because she didn’t expect the public display of affection, especially since after their date they hadn’t even kissed.

“I knew we were both flying out soon, but we never really talked about when…” he began, looking so happy to see her, that she was touched at his reaction. When was the last time someone was so thrilled to see her… that wasn’t immediate family?

“Yeah, I was flying out today, but still needed to get my stuff together last night plus help clean up Karen’s place. She let us stay there while they were gone on their honeymoon, and I don’t feel right leaving it like the disaster it is right now. I’m still finding hot glue strings and floral tape everywhere.”

“I’m catching a late afternoon flight, so I can sleep most of the way across the Atlantic, and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when I get to Kabul. I’ll have to be on my toes then until the base picks me up,” Matthew said, his eyes holding hers. “I’m really glad to see you again.”

“Same here,” she smiled. “What gate are you at?”

“Gate two… and you?”

“Gate twenty-five,” she smiled sadly, seeing him look away, nodding.

It was almost like everything was telling them ‘no’, every time either of them turned around. Here was this unbelievably gorgeous and sweet man that seemed to be so perfect, yet they were being pulled in different directions.

“Can I walk you to your gate? I have some time to pass before we start boarding,” he asked, his eyes watching her.

“I would like that,” she admitted, immediately taking the hand that he held out towards her. He turned and they began to walk along silently.

“Kabul, huh?”

“Yep,” he nodded. “A lot of the flights go through Heathrow, but I’ve got several layovers which is why I’m leaving earlier than some of the other guys. I’m hopping from DFW to Dulles, then Athens, and finally to Kabul.”

“Oh wow,” she smiled. “It’s a shame you don’t get to do any sight-seeing hopping around like that. Athens is supposed to be stunning.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have a chance to leave the airport. Someday I’d love to visit and not just be‘passing through’. Have you traveled much?”

“No,” she smiled. “Not nearly enough, at least. I mean, little things here and there, but…”

“Let’s go somewhere then…” he said gently, stopping in the middle of the walkway, looking at her. “Let’s escape and travel somewhere together so we can explore the world on our own terms.”

“What?” she whispered, stunned.

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