Part 292 (1/2)

”So have you.”

EMmA mD coNvINCED herself to ease back. Her relations.h.i.+p with Michael

was moving too quickly. She would gently pull their relations.h.i.+p back a

few notches. Her book was about to be published. It was time to open

her own studio, perhaps have another showing.

How did she know her own feelings in any case? Her life had been in too

much upheaval. It was easy to mistake love for grat.i.tude and

friends.h.i.+p. And she was grateful to him. Always would be. He had been

her friend, a constant if distant one for most of her life. Her

decision to back off was best for both of them.

She took a firm grip on her camera case as she walked through the gate.

There he was. He saw her the same instant she saw him. All of the

practical decisions she'd made over the last three thousand miles

vanished. Before she could say his name, he had swooped her off her

feet. To the amus.e.m.e.nt and annoyance of other pa.s.sengers, he greeted her

in silence, blocking most of the gateway.

When she could breathe again, she touched a hand to his cheek.

”Hi.”

”Hi.” He kissed her again. ”It's good to see you.”

”I hope you haven't been waiting long.”

”I think it's over eleven years now.” He turned and started toward the

terminal.

”Aren't you going to put me down?”

”I don't think so. How was your flight?”

”Smooth.” With a laugh, she pressed a kiss to his cheek. ”Michael, you

can't carry me through the airport.”