Someone I Used to Know - By Blakney Francis Page 0,3
smiling at the mirth in his warm eyes. I mean, I was wearing bright pink cotton shorts that had the audacity to flaunt little yellow rubber duckies. My plain white t-shirt was a safer choice, but I wasn’t dressing for fashion. My reasoning was simple. It didn’t matter how you looked boarding a plane, because everyone looked equally frazzled getting off. I’d simply learned to cut out the middleman.
“It’s college girl chic,” I deadpanned.
“Actually,” he said slowly, reclining slightly to take in the full picture of my long exposed legs, top-to-bottom and back again, “I think it’s growing on me.”
“Pervert.”
He chuckled, stepping forward to wrap my body in his arms. I sighed, and my entire being hummed with relaxation against him. I didn’t even lift my arms to return his affection. It felt so nice to be held. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d let someone get so close to me.
Usually, to be on hugging terms with people, you have to get to know them a little better than casual acquaintances, and ever since I’d left California, that’s all I’d had.
“I see your people skills haven’t improved.” His chin rested on top of my head. The sweet sigh in his voice clued me into his bravado. He was enjoying the contact just as much as me.
“Shut up,” I hushed. We were standing so close that my lips moved against the cloth of his shirt.
“Umm, excuse me?” a timid voice squeaked, leaving me no choice but to peel my body off his. It was a middle-aged woman dressed modestly in summer pastels and a truly fashionable fanny-pack. Her hands were extended towards Cam, presenting a hardback book that’s tasteful cover boasted The Girl in the Yellow Dress. “I don’t want to disturb you. I’m sure you get this all the time, but I really loved your book. Would you mind signing it for me?”
She flipped the back cover open, and Cam’s picture smiled happily up at us, dimples and all. The woman beamed proudly at him as he dutifully fulfilled her request.
“Adley reminded me a lot of my younger sister. Her choice was very brave. It’s good to see positive female characters making a return in literature.”
Cam eyed me covertly as he thanked the woman and wished her a good day, but all he found in my eyes was shock. The Girl in the Yellow Dress was big everywhere, not just LA, and I’d dealt with my fair share of uncomfortable moments when people questioned my name, but for the most part, I’d become an expert at blocking all the talk out. I just shut down at even the slightest mention, saving myself from hearing strangers discuss my life like they knew me or understood what I’d been through.
“Does that happen a lot?” I asked, managing to work my dry mouth as Cam led me over to the circling luggage conveyor.
“Less than you would think when you consider the way my publisher shoved me down the public’s throat during the last leg of the book tour.” Either he was trying very hard to seem nonchalant for my sake, or it actually wasn’t that big of a deal.
My nondescript duffle was one of the first pieces of luggage to come around, and I scooped it up easily before turning back to him and stepping away from the bustle of the other passengers.
“I had to borrow an SUV from the studio in preparation for all your luggage.” He snickered, his face lighting up with something I could only describe as endearment. “Point out the next one, and I’ll grab it for you. Do you think we need a cart?”
I tossed my bag over my shoulder. “This is it.”
“What was that?” he questioned, his face and tone doubtful. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
“I really hate that you further polluted the California air by borrowing a gas guzzler, because this one single bag,” I shook it for emphasis, “is the only thing I brought.”
He stared at me, confused and waiting on the punch line. When he realized I wasn’t trying to pull one over on him, his eyebrows furrowed and his lips dipped into a frown. He tried to overcompensate for the sudden change by talking loudly about his book tour as he led me to the black Range Rover waiting for us outside, but I wasn’t fooled. I wasn’t comfortable enough to push him about it though.
“How far is the drive to your house?” I asked as he maneuvered the large