It had been about a week since Laura left for the West Coast and nine days plus a few hours since that night in Bryan's car on a small Toronto side street. With the exception of the past 24 hours, the two young lovers had spoken everyday, twice a day since her departure and were growing closer with each conversation they had, each story shared.
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PART ONE -- I Miss You
Bryan approached the double sliding doors but stopped 10 ft short and breathed-in nervously. He fished his iPhone out of his pocket, unlocked it and pressed on the text message icon. Scrolling to Laura's name he muttered something about remembering to add her to his favorites list, he selected it, typed:
"Hey, how are you? How was your day?
And pressed send.
He starred for a moment at the screen to ensure the message had sent, smiled and dropped it back into his pocket. Looking around he couldn't help but admire his surroundings and, as he often does in similar locations, enjoyed watching the people pass by. Bryan surveyed the scenes before him almost in a daze until his pocket vibrated snapping him out of it. Taking the iPhone out of his pocket he once again unlocked it and read the message on the screen:
"It's going well so far, REALLY busy but I'm glad it's Friday! How's yours going? Where were you last night, I tried to call? :-("
Bryan grinned at the message as he contemplated his response. After a moment he typed:
"Sorry gorgeous, I was tied up all night. Are you able to talk now? Or are you too busy?"
And pressed Send.
After watching the message go through he pocketed his phone, flung the laptop bag over his shoulder, picked up his gym bag and headed for the exit. Stepping into the bright midday sunshine he was momentarily blinded. As he Bryant down to fish through his bag for sunglasses he felt his pocket start to vibrate. Eager to get where he was going Bryan elected to ignore the call and find his glasses. Besides, he thought, it had been a long 24hrs since he'd heard her voice, 10 more minutes wasn't going to kill him.
Bryan found his glass' case, popped it open and swapped out his eyeglasses for the protection of tinted lenses. Finally able to focus he quickly zipped up his bag, left the entranceway and headed for the sidewalk. As he stepped to the curb he stuck out his arm and hailed a taxi. One pulled up immediately. Bryan opened the passenger side back door, tossed his stuff on the seat and climbed in.
"Where to?" asked the dark skinned, middle aged driver?
"One sec" Bryan replied as he started tapping on his phone searching for the address.
After a few moments Bryan gave the driver the address and they were off. Settling into his seat Bryan pressed the phone icon and proceeded to return the missed call. As the phone began to ring the driver turned and said something about traffic and a 40-minute ride. Bryan nodded to the driver politely as a familiar voice came on the line.
"Hi" She said in a smiling tone.
"I only have a moment" Bryan said with deliberate abruptness
"but I wanted to return your call.
Taken slightly aback by his tone, Laura responded with an upbeat "Thanks" but couldn't help thinking to herself that Bryan was acting like a bit of an ass. First he doesn't answer her call last night after he said he'd be home and then when he does call he's rude. Given her past experiences with boys, Laura couldn't help but to point out to herself that she'd experienced this type of behavior before and didn't like the road it led too. She let this thought linger in her head for a moment before Bryan interrupted.
"What are you up to? How's your day going?
"Not bad" she replied, I'm working from home today because I had to wait for the bed delivery guys to show up."
Laura had finally moved into her new apartment and was excited to be furnishing it; she was eager to start feeling at home in her new space.
"That's great" Bryan exclaimed in his usual boisterous tone, "Is it comfortable? Have you tested it out?"
"Oh, it's comfortable" Laura said with conviction "I've got my new sheets in the washing machine downstairs, maybe I'll take a quick nap to test it out later"
"Sound like fun" Bryan replied with an obvious grin in his voice "I wish I could be there to help you break it in"
Laura dwelled for a moment on the thought of Bryan napping with her. His strong arms wrapped tightly around her body as she slept with her head nuzzled onto his chest. She imagined it fitting just right and Bryan stroking her hair gently as she fell asleep.
"I'd like that too" she said with a blush "come over now, I'll wait for you".
Bryan couldn't help but chuckle a little to himself. "You know I'd love to. What are you wearing to nap in?"
"Well I'm still in my jammies from this morning, so probably just that." She said laughingly.
Just the mention of Laura in her soft pajama bottoms and knowing that she wore nothing underneath caused Bryan's mind to wander. He imagined lying next to Laura in just his boxers (his jammies) kissing her neck, stroking her body gently. Sliding his hand under her shirt and slowly into her pants. His wonderings were just getting interesting when he was brought back to reality by a sudden left turn that nearly flung him across the cab.
"WHOA" Bryan nearly yelled in a startled tone.
"Sorry 'bout that" said the Cabbie
"What was that?" Asked Laura concerned.