Late Night Promise

A Prologue — When Souls Meet

A moment in time can change your life. That’s what we’re led to believe, but it’s not just a saying we’re told when something happens in our lives.

It’s truth.

It happened the moment a confession became clarity. Words had turned into relief. And as we both sit quietly in our respective homes, we knew something had shifted. The earth continued to spin. The world hadn’t imploded, but it felt as if it would forever change our lives.

Months had built a connection, something unique, bonded in a deeper want and desire that had brought together two souls. Our lives weren’t what they seemed. There were promises made, careers built, but deep down, souls ached for something more. Searching for the elusive broken piece to the puzzle.

As the plane touches down, I waited until we’re allowed to step off into the warmth of the sunshine. It burns my skin for a moment, and I smile at the heat. With every step closer, my heart seems to thud wildly against my ribs.

When I step into the air-conditioned arrivals hall, I breathe deeply. I’ve never been to this side of the world before. I’ve experienced nothing like it. But as I look around, my gaze dancing over each face, searching for his, I realize with certainty I’m excited.

I felt his eyes before I saw him, and when I finally landed my gaze on him, my breath caught in my throat. I didn’t expect him to be here. It’s strange, but I had convinced myself he wouldn’t be standing there waiting for me. Dressed in a pair of jeans that seem to fit him far too perfectly. A white button-up shirt, along with a black sport jacket, adorns his perfect frame. He’s slightly taller than me, and I can’t help but smile when I notice he’s not wearing a hat.

“Darlin’,” he says in a raspy tone that makes my stomach flip-flop with nerves. “It’s nice to finally see you,” he tells me before stopping inches from me. The scent of his cologne engulfs me in warmth. It’s like walking in from the snow, in from the cold, and he’s the fire burning bright welcoming me in.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be here,” I tell him, my voice soft, nervous, and as I look up into his eyes, he takes my hand which sends electric sparks from my fingertips, up my arm, and through the rest of my body, right down to my toes.

“Why wouldn’t I be here?” He tips his head to the side, and his soft, brown hair falls over his forehead. There’s a sweet innocence to him, but I know him better than that. The corner of his mouth tips up, a smile that brightens his face and creases the corners of his eyes, making him look younger than he is.

“I don’t know.” I’m suddenly unsure of why I’m here. No. That’s a lie. I’m scared he’s going to change his mind. The fear of rejection courses through me like a poison. And I don’t know what to do with it.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he coos, using his fingers to lift my chin, which tips my head back and I can’t look away from those hypnotic blue eyes. “Don’t you dare hide from me.” He leans in closer, and I almost forget to breathe. “You’re here now, and I ain’t letting you leave until you believe how happy I am that I’ve found you.”

He leads me to his truck, which he helps me into. My luggage in the back, and he’s beside me, in the driver’s seat. I want to look at him so much, but I’m nervous. My stomach tumbles with butterflies before he reaches for my hand and holds it in his for a moment. No words need to be said, because he’s here. It’s a quiet confirmation that he’s with me and he’ll keep me safe, which only calms me.

“How was the flight?” he asks me as we travel through the centre of town. I’m in awe of it, being so different from where I’ve come from.

“It was long, but not too bad. I slept for most of it,” I tell him with a smile, and chance a glance his way. His blue eyes flit to mine, and in them I see the affection he holds. He’s not just a random stranger anymore, he’s real.

As we drive through what makes me think back on all those movies I’ve watched growing up, I can’t help but smile when I think that he’s real. He’s sitting next to me, and he’s as beautiful as I slowly learned. Over the months of us talking, he showed me who he is. Not only his handsome face, but his heart, too.

And as we get closer to the house and ranch which he’d shown me through videos and photos, I feel as if I’m finally coming home.

But that’s not where our story starts. It begins way back, where an innocent tap of a phone screen brings us to each other.

Let’s go back, and I’ll tell you all about it.

Chapter One to follow soon…