"I'm here!" She had the same smile on her face that was forever burned into his memory. "God, I missed you!"
They ran towards each other. She was graceful as a bird, and he carried a heavy wheelie bag.
"Oof, Rachel!" He almost lost his footing as she threw herself at him and they melted into a tight embrace. "You're happy to see me, but there's no need to knock me out."
She laughed. "But I'm a knockout! You always said so."
Her hair was curly and dark brown, and her eyes stared down on him with that same shade of green he'd always failed to capture in his drawings. She retained a toned body, moderate in its curves, with thin, long limbs. Before he could stop himself, he glanced down at her dirty running shoes.
Not even five minutes and he was already blushing.
"The weather's lovely, and I packed a meal." She tugged him by the hand, leading him through the airport.
"I just got here, it's been a long flight and--"
"Nonsense." She brushed his lips with her finger, as if shushing a child. Her touch made him shiver, and his heart jumped in his chest. Something about her attitude still excited him. "It took my wedding to get you here and we're not wasting a single second."
"Before I forget, best wishes to you and Nathan. Looks like age hasn't mellowed you any." His lips curled into a gentle smile to soften his words.
She squeezed his hand and grinned, making his heart stutter again.
"I knew you'd understand." She opened the boot, lifted his suitcase one-handed, and laid it gently. "Now get in the car, bitch." She smirked and playfully shoved him into the passenger seat.
*****
The park was enormous. The sun shone in a cloudless sky, children played, couples walked together, and birds chirped, helping him forget his cares. There was nothing like this in their small town. They'd been walking for hours, each holding a basket he found heavier with every step.
"Regent's Park, is it?" he asked. "Does it ever end?"
"Wimp." She elbowed his ribs and laughed brightly. "I know you had a long trip." She spread a blanket and sat down.
"At last," he said with a deep sigh. "What's in there, rocks?" He opened the basket and beamed.
"Much better than rocks, isn't it?"
He nodded, took a bottle of wine, and opened it while Rachel unpacked the sandwiches.
"To our friendship." She raised her glass and toasted, looking into his eyes. "And more frequent meetings. A decade is too long."
He nodded, took a sip, and smiled. It was an excellent wine he could never afford.
They had a pleasant meal, and afterwards she offered him another bottle of something sweeter.
Hours passed as they lay under the sun, hand in hand, talking, drinking, and enjoying each other's company in a lazy afternoon.
She sat up, and he sighed, thinking it was over. Instead, she untied her laces, and kicked off her shoes with a groan, then lay back again.
"Sorry, but my feet were too hot," she said, wiggling her toes in her damp socks.
His nose wrinkled at the unforgettable smell. He hadn't counted on being able to avoid it entirely, but he wasn't looking forward to it. He blushed as the stink brought in a flood of memories he tried not to dwell on.
"Um..." He coughed. "Well, at least you waited until the meal was done."
"Of course I did, silly. I was eating too."
He tried to continue the conversation, but his mood was broken, and his overtures felt awkward and contrived.
"I wonder..." She turned towards him. "Would you be a dear and give me a foot massage? Like in the old days, remember?"
His blushed deepened and he shivered as she lay a finger on his warm, red cheek.
"Rachel..."
"Come on, say yes. They're so hot and sore. You know I always get my way in the end."
Hoping to find the words to politely demur, he took a deep breath, but as the air went in, the smell, now overwhelming, made him snap.
"No way! Maybe I'd be willing to do it at home; but we're in public. Not to mention, they--"
