Introduction

                                    

                                          
I adjusted the strap of my blue sundress as I waited at the arrivals gate of Miami International Airport. The humidity of the summer evening clung to my skin, adding to the nervous excitement bubbling within me. I hadn’t seen my sister Emma or her husband, Robert, in three years. Their life was in another state, Alaska because her husband got transferred there from his work.
Emma and Robert got married five years ago after a love story.
Despite the tension with Maya, I had reluctantly agreed, to be the one who picked them up from the airport. I hope the time together might bridge the chasm between us again. Yet, I couldn’t deny the knot of anxiety in my stomach at the thought of seeing Robert again. He's my first in every way my first crash, my first kiss, and the one who took, my virginity.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message from my mother making me realize that I had zoomed out with my thoughts.
“They’ve landed!”
I read her message sighing.
“I'm already at the arrival gate,” I replied to her message before putting my phone in my dress pocket.
I took a deep breath, scanning the crowd of travelers. Suddenly, I saw them—Emma and Robert, walking side by side, looking as picture-perfect as ever. Maya’s tall, slender frame was wrapped in a stylish travel outfit, her dark blonde hair cascading in waves.
Robert, with his easy smile and effortless charm, looked just as I remembered, if not more handsome.
Only the new thing his brown hair caught white hair strands, and he shoved his beard.
“Elena!” Emma called, waving enthusiastically as they approached me.
Emma's hazel eyes sparkled with what was happening.
I passed on a smile and waved back.
“Emma, Robert” I greeted them as they reached me.
Emma enveloped me in a warm hug, surprising me with its sincerity.
“It’s so good to see you,” She breathes, pulling back and giving me an appraising look.
“You look fantastic.”
“Thanks, you too,” I replied, as my eyes shifted to Robert.
He smiled at me, a touch of warmth in his gaze that made me swallow my saliva hard.
“Hey, Lola,” He nodded, stepping forward to hug me as well.
His embrace was firm and familiar, stirring memories inside me that I had tried to bury all those three years.
“It’s been too long.” He sniffed my scent in.
My head resting on his chest. Robert is 6’9 high and he works out hard to keep his body in shape.
“Yeah, it has,” I managed, pulling back before the hug lingered too long.
“How was the flight?” I cleared my voice.
“Long but uneventful,” He said, as his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary.
“Good, welcome back to Miami. I’m glad you could make it. Let’s get your bags and head home. Mom’s made dinner.”
As we made our way to the baggage claim, I walked beside Robert, Emma slightly ahead of us, already on the phone with our mother.
“How have you been?” He asked softly, his voice filled with genuine interest.
“I’ve been good, keeping busy with work and everything,” I replied, trying to keep my tone casual.
“You?”
“Same here. Life’s been hectic, but it’s good to be back in Miami, and thanks God, I transferred back here.” He said, glancing at me.
“I missed it. And the people.”
I felt a pang in my chest. I had missed him too, more than I cared to admit but frankly, I'm scared to be around him again.
“Good for you.” I give him a nod.
Please, god let me be strong this time.
I prayed as we made our way to my car.
“Oh, you still have the same car Robert gifted you,” Emma remarks.
“Yeah” I nodded
The conversation was light and filled with the usual pleasantries on our way home.
Emma chatted animatedly about their life in Alaska, while me and Robert exchanged only the necessary words. The tension between us was palpable in the air.
“You still working as a chief on that restaurant?” Emma asked me suddenly.
“No, I opened a small restaurant with Sky,” I replied.
Sky is my best friend from high school.
“It's the same you still lose like that if you just completed your studies, you may be now able to get yourself a roof.” Emma started.
My hand squeezes the steering wheel trying to control my emotions.
It's her way to get under my skin.
“Emma” Robert's voice bombs from the back seat.
“It's her life.” He told her.
“Just saying.” Emma started.
“No, need.” He sniped at her.
The rest of the way silence covered us and the only sound in the car was the soft music.
I was really grateful for that silence it did not bother me.