Chapter 51

Slinging her carry-on over her shoulder, Cilla headed to the first class lounge to wait. She couldn’t believe she was actually doing this. She shook her head in disbelief and checked her bag one more time, making sure everything was there. She had spoken with an airline representative and her care packages were being taken care of for her so she didn’t have to worry about those until she arrived in Dublin.

She glanced at her watch; she felt guilty leaving Sid alone at the shop, again. He didn’t seem to mind though. In fact, he had tried to shove her out the door even earlier, telling her to take a bath, do her nails, pamper herself a little before her flight. She was sure he had something to do with this, but she just couldn’t find it in herself to be mad at him. She smiled, she was going to see Jon again.

Staring out the window at the planes she couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing and if he knew she was coming. God, she missed him. Missed him more than she thought she would. Six weeks had seemed like such a small amount of time she had been sure it would be no big deal. She chuckled to herself. Boy had she been wrong. She wrapped her arms around herself, surely it had been a lifetime since she had looked into his amazing blue eyes, or felt the touch of his soft, strong hands.

She sighed, she had tried to call him last night and then again before she left that afternoon, but they kept missing each other. Taking her phone out of her bag she flipped it open to try him again, but her flight was called. With a frown she tucked the phone away and got ready to board.

Cilla had never flown first class before and she decided there was no better way to fly. The plush, wide seats were more than comfortable and the flight attendants wore friendly welcoming smiles, eager to fetch this or run for that. There was only one other passenger in first class with her so it was almost like she had her own personal attendant.

After a light meal that she barely touched Cilla glanced out the window at the night sky and again her thoughts turned to Jon, flushing at the memory of their last time together. Turning back to her tray she sipped at her wine before digging for her phone again. Flipping it open she nearly swore, she had no bars. She couldn’t call him. Stuffing her phone back in her bag she grabbed her iPod and hoped some music would make the flight go quicker.

Standing in the airport, Richie yawned; 8:45 was way too early in the morning for him to be vertical. He tugged his hat lower and watched for the petite dark haired woman to come through customs. God he’d kill for a cup of coffee. Her flight had been on time, or so the website and then arrivals board said.

He was glad there weren’t too many people milling around this morning. He was in no mood for pictures or signing autographs. He was just about to give in to the overwhelming urge for caffeine when he saw her. She was a pretty little thing, and all that dark hair, well he couldn’t deny his friend had great taste.

Cilla made it through customs with no hassle and as she was stuffing her passport back into her bag she looked around, wondering where Paul was. Her instructions only said that someone would be there to meet her and she just figured it would be him.

Moving further into the airport she noticed a tall man in a hat leaning against a pole, he waggled his fingers at her. Moving closer she realized it was Richie. “What are you doing here?” she asked as he reached out to grab her hand.

“You need a ride, right?”

She nodded, “yeah, but how did you get elected to play chauffer?”

He smiled as he led her toward the baggage area, “just my lucky day I guess.”

After loading her things into the trunk and settling themselves in the back of the nondescript black sedan, Richie leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “It’s too damn early in the morning” he groaned. “I need coffee.”

Cilla reached over and patted his knee, “poor baby. You should go back to bed when we get to the hotel.”

Richie nodded, “that’s not a bad idea darlin’.” He yawned again, “so, Sid sai…” he trailed off, a look of horror on his face as he realized what he had just said.

Cilla’s eyes widened, “I knew it. I knew he was involved in this somehow.” Richie closed his eyes again, a resigned sigh falling from his lips, “this is why I don’t do mornings. Are you mad?”

“No, not really. I just have one question.”

He cracked open one bleary brown eye to look at her, “what?”

“Why?”

“Because Jon is as miserable as Sid said you were and I wanted him off my ass. So here you are. And if this doesn’t improve his mood, we’re going to have to find a new singer and change the name of the band.”

Cilla was sure Richie was exaggerating. Surely Jon wasn’t missing her that much. “Come on, he can’t be that bad. He’s done this how many times before?”

Richie opened both eyes and looked at her, “you’ll see darlin’. You’ll see.”

The rest of the ride passed in companionable silence and Cilla was sure Richie had fallen asleep. When they pulled up in front of the hotel she couldn’t contain the gasp. It was beautiful. The expanse of brick and mortar surrounded by lush green trees, shrubs and that lawn, she had never seen grass so green. This was all topped by a sky so blue she could barely look at it. She just had to have a picture.

Richie helped her from the car and she dug for her camera. At his resigned look she shrugged her shoulders unapologetically, “I know, I know, overly touristy, deal with it.”

He let her snap her pictures before helping her carry her things inside. Once on their floor he helped her deliver her care packages. They started with Hugh, moving down the hall to Tico and then to David, Richie dealing with the brunt of morning groans and barks. When they got to Jon’s door Richie put his ear to the door, listening.

“What are you doing?”

He shushed her, “trying to hear if he’s up or not. He usually is.”

Jon was indeed awake. He had been to work out and showered and was now sitting down with his breakfast and newspaper. His laptop was open as well and he was checking his e-mail and looking for a way to stream the Soul game that was on later. He was hopeful this year would be their year; that they would make it to the Arena Bowl. He had just sent off an e-mail to Craig when he heard the knock on his door.

He opened the door to find Richie standing there. “What the hell are you doing upright and out of bed this early?”

Richie just smiled “I’ve got something for you.”