Gina Calanni - How To Bake The Perfect Apple Pie

The elevator door opens and a man is standing in the back corner. Great. His baseball cap is lowered over his eyes. Even better. I push the level one button and dig in my purse for my phone. Time to play chat.

“Oh hey, yes I’m in the elevator. See you in two seconds. I know…yes. Elevator Five. Perfect.”

The door opens and I stride out. I hustle my way across the crosswalk and into Terminal A. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jack is already standing at the luggage carousel. I already checked out which one his flight would be circling. But since he is only staying a couple of nights, he might not even have packed luggage.

I stalk over to the suitcases circling on the metal machine. I scan the group of passengers to see if I can find Jack. And I can’t find him. I make my way through the crowd and loop the entire group. He isn’t here. I swallow. My chest tightens. I glance up at the flight number on the board. It’s his flight. This is the right spot. I bite my lip and circle the carousel once more. There is absolutely no sign of him. My heart begins to flutter as panic starts to set in. Shiat. Did he not make the flight?

I can’t believe it. The last time I came to pick him up from the airport he was a no-show. Followed by a long time with no word.

Please tell me this is not happening again.

Why? I don’t understand. I stumble towards a column and lean up against it. Take a deep breath, Lauren. It’s possible he’s in the bathroom or maybe I missed him during my circles? I seriously doubt it. But maybe I did. I let out a long deep breath. My cell phone vibrates in my purse.

Another deep breath passes from my lips. I’m almost afraid to check my phone. What if it’s a text message from Jack like last time, where he said “something came up” and he couldn’t make it. I let out another deep breath and swipe my phone.

“I’m sorry, Lauren, something came up. I couldn’t—”

I don’t even finish reading the message. I throw my phone back into my purse. I cannot believe this. Are you freaking kidding me? Is this a joke? If so it’s a sick one. I fight back my tears as I charge to the exit doors.

My flight is halted as two big strong arms wrap themselves around me.

“Lauren, I’m here.” Jack breathes into my ear.

I twist my body around to stare at him. My sorrow has turned to rage. I shove him. He doesn’t even budge.

“Jack, that is so so so not cool.” I swipe back a tear.

“Oh, Lauren, I thought you would think it was funny. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Jack pulls me in close to him and kisses my head. He wipes underneath my eyes. “Dammit, I had no idea you would take me seriously.” He kisses my head again. “I thought for sure you would know it was a joke.”

I shake my head. “Why would I think it’s a joke? The last time I was here to pick you up from the airport I got the same message.” I eye the ground. I want to fall into a hole and not be here in this moment. I feel like a fool. I shouldn’t have overreacted.

“I know and I’m sorry, truly.” Jack pulls my chin up. “Lauren, I promise I will never stand you up again.” He kisses me deeply. His hands are in my hair and I let my arms wrap around his body. His amazing scent of sandalwood and apples invades my senses. I’m immediately at ease. I’m dancing in the air. Jack is here. I’m in his arms. His big muscular arms. Arms that wrap me up and make everything better.

I pull back from his mouth. “Let’s get out of here. Did you check any bags?” I eye his book bag.

“I travel light.” Jack picks me up in his arms. “You’re the only thing I need.”

I laugh. “Jack, put me down.” I’m aware of the other passengers who are ogling us. But it is quite a thrill to be in the air and in his arms. Especially since my last trip to the airport had left me empty-handed and depressed.

Jack sets me on the ground, but I still keep walking on air. He grabs my hand and our fingers link together as we exit the airport terminal and enter the cold air.

I’m anything but chilled. Jack has warmed me all over with a kiss from his lips and now the grasp of his hand. We hustle to the car and I beep my key fob to unlock the door. Jack opens the driver door.

“Do you want me to drive?” He stares down into my eyes.

I crinkle my eyebrows. “You don’t know where we’re going.”

“Lauren, I’ve been to your house before.”

“Right, but I seriously doubt you would be able to remember how to get there.” I toss my hair over my shoulder.

“That’s why I have a co-pilot.” Jack taps my nose.

I hold up my keys. “If you want to drive, you have to do it blind.” I raise an eyebrow at him. “As in no GPS and no Lauren.”

“No Lauren—sweetheart, you know I’d never leave you alone in a dark parking garage.” He grabs the keys from my hand and leads me to the passenger side. Jack opens the door and slides me into the seat. He leans in really close to me. “I’ll take your challenge.”

The door shuts and I roll my eyes. He is so arrogant. I almost hope he gets lost. Not that I want to be lost. But just so he can be knocked off his pompous ass.

Jack turns on the keys and backs out of the parking spot.

“So how was your flight?” I purse my lips to the side. I’m going to talk the entire trip even if it’s nonsense. I’m convinced the added jibber jabber will distract him enough to hinder his success in making it home.

“It was really great, Lauren.” He cocks his head to the side and nods with too much emphasis.

“Oh cool, that’s good to hear. And the food, did you have dinner?” I flutter my eyelashes at him.

“No, unfortunately they didn’t feed us.” Jack feasts his eyes on me. “But it’s okay, they wouldn’t have served anything to my interest.” He winks at me.

I roll my eyes. “Oh why is that, no Chinese?” I laugh.

“Yeah, I doubt they serve Moo Gai Lauren on the plane.” He smirks at me.

I roll my lips. “I haven’t eaten yet either,” falls from my mouth.

“Do you want to pick up some takeout or would you rather be served?” Jack gazes at me. His icy blues are digging in deep to my brain and wandering down my body, tugging at my heated zones.

I blink my eyes. “I wouldn’t mind going out for something to eat.” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“All right, I’ll take you out. How about Indian?”

I jerk my head back. “Mmm curry. Yes.”

Jack clicks on the blinker and we exit the highway. Does he even know where he’s going? This is only the second time he’s visited me and the last time was a pretty limited weekend. We picked up Chinese and went to breakfast, but that’s it for dining spots.

I cannot believe it. The car slows and Jack is pulling up in front of Mantras. One of my favorite Indian restaurants.

“How did you know about this place?” I scrutinize his face and stare directly at him. I want to pull the answers from his mind. How could he know?

“Good question, Lauren. I’m going to let you in on a secret, but you have to promise to keep it between the two of us.” He inspects me, waiting for a response.

This is silly. But I oblige. “Yes, I’ll keep it a secret.”

Jack leans in to my ear and whispers, “Google.”

My shoulders slump and I groan. I can’t roll my eyes back far enough. “Haha. Fine.”

I unbuckle my seat belt but before I can lift the handle on the door Jack is pulling it open.

“Come on, let’s experience an array of flavors.” Jack pulls me in close to him and kisses my lips. I almost melt. But it’s cold and though I’m heated, I’m not a puddle. Jack leads me to the restaurant and we enter through the dark door.