Stages of Grace - By Carey Heywood Page 0,55

hair, ends up being pointless since I put my hood up once I’m out of the car. Going to stand by the security checkpoint, I check Ryan's flight to see if it is still on time.

I lean up against a wall and fidget as I watch passengers filing out in all directions. I try to look at every face as they pass, but there are way more of them than there are of me. Ryan sees me first.

"Hullo!"

I look around, trying to place where his greeting is coming from when he's suddenly right in front of me, pulling me into a hug.

"Well, you're a sight for sore eyes."

I laugh. "Long flight?

Ryan nods, not letting me go. I swat him on the arm. "Can I take you out for a burger?"

He just nods and grins down at me. Ryan only has a small duffle bag so we head straight to my car. Before we get outside, I stop him to see if he’s brought a hat. He hasn’t and is touched when I pull out a beanie for him. Once he has it on, I have to admit it looks pretty good on him. Seeing Ryan's reaction to the cold, I hurry to my car and get the heater going.

"Grace, why does my ass feel like it’s burning?"

"Oh, sorry. I turned on the seat heaters." I reach over to switch his to low.

"Next time warn a fella."

"Will do" I laugh, trying not to think about his ass.

"So where're you taking me?"

"To Swensons. Awesome burger, but it’s a drive in. Do you want to eat there or bring the food back to my place?"

"Can we take it back to your place?"

Once we have our food, I drive home. It’s weird to think that after tomorrow I won't be able to call it that anymore. I warn him to watch his step on the way up the stairs. Ryan does fine. I slip twice. Damn stairs. Once inside, I give him a quick tour: pile of stuff, empty room, empty room, air mattress, kitchen, and bathroom. Ryan laughs at my descriptions, and after setting his bag down, goes to the bathroom. I unpack our food onto the kitchen counter, grab a roll of paper towels, and make a picnic for us in front of the TV. I am switching on the news to get the next day's weather when Ryan walks out.

He pulls off his beanie as he walks into the front room, making his hair go crazy. He looks at me in confusion as I bring my hand up to my mouth to keep from laughing. Walking over I finger comb his hair back down as he looks down at me. Whoa. I take a step back, almost knocking over my drink to put some space back between us. Ryan notices my reaction and gives me a half smile as he sits down to eat.

I turn the volume up so I can hear the weather forecast. It will be cold but clear the next day. Our goal, depending on how long it takes to get everything in my car and do the final walk through of the apartment, is to get to West Virginia, maybe even Virginia, that day. I sit, turning the volume back down.

"You like?" I ask Ryan between bites.

His mouth is full so he nods enthusiastically while I snag another onion ring.

"Does Kate have a grill?"

Ryan finishes the bite he is chewing before answering. "She does."

"We should make burgers one night."

"Great idea. Maybe we'll even get artichokes for you to put on top."

I blush, happy that he remembers. After we eat, he calls Kate to let her know he arrived safely, well best he can. He shakes his head when he hangs up the phone mumbling something about her needing a hearing aid. We watch TV until I suggest we get some sleep before the long day ahead. I bring out one of the pillows from my room and an old sleeping bag for Ryan to use.

"Are you sure you don’t want the air mattress? I feel awful making you sleep on the floor."

He shakes his head. "Don’t worry, Grace. One night won't hurt me. I'll just pretend I'm camping."

"Do you like to camp?"

"I do, but I like most outdoor activities. You?"

"It's been a while. I used to camp with my dad."

After we trade goodnights I go to bed. I take forever to fall asleep, my stomach in knots as I think about leaving everything I've ever known. I