Connected (69 page)

“
So, are you guys ready to call it a night?” Shannon’s eyes looked tired as she sipped her last Cosmo.

We all agreed, began to gather our purses, and stood up to leave.

“
Kaitlyn,” Chris spoke from behind me again.

The sound of his voice startled me, and I dropped my keys.

“
Oh, sorry,” he said as he quickly bent down to pick them up.

“
It’s ok,” I laughed, “I’m not usually so clumsy.”

His fingers brushed mine as he handed them back to me. The tingle from his touch radiated up my arm. I heard a nervous giggle escape from my lips. My hand flew up and covered my mouth, and I immediately felt embarrassed.

“
You really made my night,” Chris declared with a crooked grin. “I can’t believe it’s been eight years.”

“
Me either,” I concurred.

“
See you again tomorrow night?” he asked hopefully, “I mean, let’s not let another eight years go by.”

“
Absolutely,” I agreed without thinking. “We’ll be here all weekend. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“
Great!” he replied, flashing his perfect smile at me.

As hard as I tried not to notice, Chris looked absolutely amazing. His black T-shirt clung to his well-formed chest. The smoldering intensity of his eyes staring into mine sent chills rippling through my body. “I look forward to it,” he admitted.

“
I just can’t believe it’s really you.” I could barely contain the elation in my voice. Without thinking, I reached out to hug him. He seemed shocked, but welcomed the hug.

He enveloped me in his arms and whispered, “I’ve never forgotten you.”

His breath was hot against my ear. I inhaled the mixed aroma of aftershave and breath mints as I tried to burn his scent into my memory. A breath escaped my lungs and lodged in my throat
. ‘I’m a married woman
,’ I rebuked myself. Quickly, I pulled away from him and practically ran to catch up to my friends.

“
Oh my goodness, girl! Tell us everything!” Lisa exclaimed as we walked into the living room of our condo.

“
What’s there to tell?” I asked.

Shannon spoke up. “Well, for starters, did you see the way he looked at you? And did you see the way he looked in that shirt? Wow!”

I laughed nervously. While these girls were my closest friends, I did not feel emotionally prepared to rehash the history I had with Chris, nor did I feel strong enough to reopen old wounds I had spent years trying to heal.

“
C’mon, Kaitlyn. Give us the scoop,” Tori whined. “We want to know about this hot mystery guy.”

I sighed, preparing myself for the heartrending wave of emotion I knew I was about to experience by divulging the intimate details of my past.

My mind, as it creaked open the lid of the proverbial can of worms, drifted back to a time and place it had only visited in my dreams since the girl I once knew well, but barely recognized anymore, had sped away in her fully packed VW Jetta with hope to start a new life in college.