Alice is her usual self, excited and jumping around, hugging me tight. I am now surrounded by my friends immediately as soon as they realize I am there but she still remains seated where she is. I can feel her stare at me undivided in her rapt attention. I return her gaze giving her a gentle smile as I see her practically unravel in front of me. The blush rising on her cheeks easily gives her away to me.

I can’t help but feel my heart burst with happiness as I see her smile back at me with that gorgeous smile. Those beautiful soft lips that I long to feel against my own turn her face into this angelic creation like no other on the face of this earth.

I can’t seem to look away from her eyes. I feel her struggling to tear her eyes away from mine after a while. Maybe she is afraid someone will catch us staring at each other. But I don’t care as I continue to gaze at her trying to get my fill of the vision that is her after all this time apart. It’s not enough. It can never be enough. I wonder if she knows of my devotion to her, of my yearning to fill my being with her.

I have to believe that she is aware of this strong invincible connection that is so palpable between us. It’s like a live electric wire that doesn’t ever fail to strike a jolt through me every time our eyes meet, every time we become aware of the other’s presence near us. I smile inwardly as I see her reach out with a shaking hand to take a sip from her coffee cup.

My introductions made and hugs exchanged with my dear friends I slowly make my way over to her. I can feel my body buzzing with nervous energy as I make my way near her. Everything else around me blurs out as I hear the increasing sound of my heart beating in my ears. I feel my palms become sweaty as I struggle to keep my knees from giving out on me.

She looks just as nervous. I know she can feel my gaze burning into her as I struggle to see anything else but her. I struggle to keep my wits about me and the smile on my face as I finally come to a halt in front of her. She has yet to look up and meet my eyes.

I hear myself gently call out her name as I have surely done umpteen times before when I am alone, while in my dreams. Gradually she looks up and I find myself looking into those beautiful chocolate orbs once again but up close and my heart shudders inside my chest. I am certain I have stopped breathing as I find my mind go dizzy with the astounding vision that is before me.

Now I am certain she feels what I am feeling. She has to. That look is telling me all I have ever wanted to know. I can’t get enough. I know I must have an effect on her just like she has on me.

I am a little concerned as she coughs a little trying to clear her throat and then after a beat I hear her voice say my name. Her shy voice saying my name makes my heart sing. God I have missed hearing her say my name.

No one can ever say my name the way she does. She is the only one who calls me Tee and I feel my heart skip a beat as I hear her call me that again before she quickly goes back to calling me by my full name.

I think I caught her off guard but she quickly composed her vulnerability trying to hide from me, why I don’t know when that vulnerable innocent side of hers is what pulls me to her. Always has. I can’t help but grin at how adorable she is when she is so uncertain, so off guard.

She grins back at me as she realizes that her heart is safe with me. Always and forever.