chapter 63
The day flew by, and before Dana knew it, it was time to leave.
Cody joined Dana, Liam and Sharon for the lavish station good-bye lunch from the hotel. They feasted on homemade banana bread, coconut rum shrimp and sweet fried plantains. The lunch was bittersweet. They all laughed and shared silly embarrassing stories. Each opened up in this unique experience, making them much closer than co-workers. One final toast of their piña coladas and they were saying farewell to the hotel staff...and Cody.
“Cody, it was a pleasure meeting you,” Liam said, hand extended.
“You too,” he answered, grasping Liam’s hand firmly.
“And how about me?” Sharon piped up, her apple round cheeks rosy with excitement.
“And you too,” Cody said, leaning in for a hug.
Sharon giggled, so thrilled that she was now ‘friends’ with a rock star.
“And me?” Dana said, from off to the side, taking in Cody’s good nature. He was so easy to be with, so nice with her friends.
“You,” Cody was instantly at her side, arms around her. “You are a special case.”
Liam and Sharon exchanged knowing glances. “Hey Dana,” he said, his thick brogue rich with sincerity, “why don’t we just meet you in the lobby in fifteen minutes? Then we can all head to the plane together.”
Dana smiled. “Thanks. I’ll see you then.” She turned to Cody. “Care to walk me to my room to get my stuff?”
He kissed her. “Let’s go.”
They strolled through the lobby slowly, realizing that each step was a step closer to their separation.
“So,” Dana began, “you’re going back on tour?”
“Yeah. I’ve gotta touch base with the guys and find out what’s happening. I know our manager, Eric, has big plans for us after this little break. You know, it’s only been a couple days since I’ve spoken to the guys, but I feel like it’s been weeks.”
“I know. This trip took me miles from reality.”
“It was great.”
Dana hesitated before telling Cody the deep fear that gnawed at her brain, but past relationships taught her one thing...withholding only prolonged a certain agony. If this was meant to be, it was meant to be no matter what she said.
“Cody,” she began, stopping to look at him. “Are we reality? Or are we just the side effect of a great vacation?”
He didn’t hesitate. “This is very real for me.” He looked at Dana, concerned. “I’ve told you things I’ve never shared with anyone. Don’t you know by now how I feel about you?”
“I...guess...” Dana stared at her feet, embarrassed.
Cody touched her arm gently sensing her vulnerability. “Dana, I have feelings for you that are deeper than I can express. Don’t doubt it.”
She looked into his eyes. “I won’t.”
They fell into each other, sealing their pact.
Dana pulled back. “I better get moving...or I’ll miss the plane.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“Well, I would be stranded here...” she tapped her index finger on her forehead, “tempting, but then I’d miss work, probably lose my job...”
“Then you could come travel with me and be my rock groupie.”
“Oh, my parents would be so proud.”
They laughed as they stepped into her room.
“So, I’ll call you tonight.”
“Yes.”
“And we’ll figure out when we’ll see each other again.”
Tears unexpectedly welled in Dana’s eyes. The idea of leaving him hit her hard. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
They kissed one last long, soft, kiss.
“I love you, Dana.”
“I love you.” She wiped her eyes. “C’mon, let’s go, before I take you up on your offer.”
“That doesn’t really inspire me to help you.”
She smiled. Cody picked up her bags and they silently went down to the lobby. Liam and Sharon were already there.
“Glad you decided to make it m’lady.”
“Liam, your concern is touching, really it is.”
Liam and Sharon rose to their feet.
“Ready Dana?” Sharon asked with the concern of a girlfriend who understood how hard it was for her friend to leave the man she loved.
“Yeah.” Dana turned to Cody. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
One last kiss and she was walking away.
“I’ll have a surprise for you when you get back...” he called out.
Dana turned, smiled, blew him a kiss...and was gone.