BETWEEN HELLO AND GOODBYE

on to Santa Cruz de la Palma was fine. The layover was tolerable, thanks to the airport b

equation in my head, but it looks like it’s still almost two hours until I will feel solid ground beneath my feet again. I sigh and to

ed. Kim has slept most of the flight, leaving me to entertain myself. She of

my seat “I decide reading will help pass the time, so I grab my e-reader and pick up where I stopped on the slutmance I’d s

in ten minutes. Kim doesn’t stir, so I put my naughty tale away and nudge her, kno

ely stirs so I nudge her again. “Kim. Get up. We’re

es. She straightens in her seat and takes a moment to ge

my life. I didn’t sleep a wink the whole flight because I was too busy wondering if we w

’ve taken a happy pill and then maybe you wouldn’t be so cranky right now.” She wo

inst pavement. Our fellow passengers erupt into cheer and clapping when we’re

erminal to wait for our last flight. With an hour layover, I decide to vis

s, she gives me a warning. “Be back in thirty minutes or I’m sending security for y

on a stool. “What can I get you?” I might not be able to tell b

I tend to favor lighter flavors.” He serves me

om or where I’m heading. He appears to be in his fifties, so I can only assume he’s heard mo

m is guarding our huge pile of luggage.

. I told him to expect us to arrive around three. He said he

nd of gypsies. Most of it belonged to Kim’s, but I have my fair share—ther

I am.” I sit and prop my feet on the suitcase in front of m

aid to myself “Don’t you dare even think about encouraging him.” I’m not interested in dating anyone right now. She know

ed here. I’m just saying you shouldn’t be surprised

re yet and she’s already trying to h

partment with him for the next three

ls like I’m being ambushed. “I might not know what

nts to take us out tonight, but I know you haven’t

up to it if I can catch a

en our flight is preparing to land.

I look terrible when it’s flat and I’m su

combination of mouth breathing, beer drinking, and lack of oral hygiene during our travels has skunked things up. I don’t want to

holds out the lime-green pack in my

rly certain it’s going to take two shot

crowd anywhere, even if I’d never seen his picture. There’s no way to miss him; he’s the perfect male version of Kim. His blond hair is darker than hers (her monthly date with the hairdresser helps those play

ter’s middle and squeezes as he lifts he

er has come all this way to see me.” He low

nd you mus

as always failed to cross Max’s for one reason or another . Now that we’re meeting after 5years, I am not sure

’ve been hearing about you for years

riend hasn’t ruined

ot a friendly nice to meet you smile. He’s flirting with me already, so I

g to introduce us

s buzzed close to his scalp except for the spiked tuft on top, and long, sooty lashes frame his almost-black eyes. He’s wearing a fitted black T-shirt and I spy the t

ers his hand

very nice t

like him, but I could listen to

from Kim, and I know she’

to meet you. Lov

attention—that still belongs to Kim. “I

one I’ve just met. Kim replies, so I’m neither forced to lie nor complain becaus