Kellan
It was only eight o’clock when I arrived at my hotel after my business dinner since they had decided to have dinner at four in the evening. Who does that? That is way too early for dinner, well for, anyway. I have been on the go all day. Now, I had the entire night to pass, alone in my room. I have been to London a few times, so I have seen everything, and it is too cold to walk the streets.
I don’t even know why I need to stay here for any longer. I have met who I need to, wined and dined them, and shared the proposals with them, so what is the point of me still being here? There is no point. I want to go home. Why can’t I go home?

I set my things down, grab my laptop and look for flights, coming across one for eight o’clock tomorrow morning, and before I can stop myself, I book it. I am going home! I want to be with my girl, not sitting in a hotel room alone at night and sitting with a bunch of arrogant businessmen all day I don’t even know. I have done what is essential, so there is no reason for anyone to complain.
I won’t tell Elsie I am coming home; it can be a surprise. With the time of my flight and the time difference, I should be back by late afternoon, which is perfect because Elsie is off tomorrow, and I won’t need to show up in the middle of the night.
I jump from the bed, excited to be leaving tomorrow and pack my things away. I will send a group email out to the guys I am supposed to meet tomorrow and tell them I am leaving earlier than planned. I will be polite about it and let them know I am reachable if they need me, well, once my flight lands.
It didn’t take long to pack because I never unpacked everything. I ensured I hadn’t forgotten anything and had everything set out for the morning because I would need to leave at five to get to the airport in time for my flight. I should probably let the hotel know, also, I am checking out earlier than planned.
I head down to reception, telling them I would be leaving first thing. I decided to head out for a couple of hours after all because if I didn’t, I would be pacing the hotel room, wishing the morning would hurry up.
My time apart from Elsie has made me realise how strong my feelings have become for her. I didn’t know it was possible to miss someone as much as I had been missing her. The thought terrifies me, though. I have never let anyone in the way I have her. There is a good chance I am falling in love, and I didn’t think I would ever allow myself to do that. I just need to make sure I don’t mess it up.

Elsie is incredible and probably deserves better than someone like me, but she has chosen to be with me, and I need to be the best man I can be for her because she deserves the world. She has become my safe place, and I couldn’t wait to return to her.
***
I am sitting in the first-class lounge waiting for my flight to board, trying to stay awake. I barely slept last night or this week. I am on my third coffee, and it is only seven o’clock in the morning. I have a long flight ahead of me, and I don’t like sleeping on planes, so I need as much caffeine as possible.
We should be able to start boarding in the next half an hour with any luck. I am so damn eager to get home to Elsie. I smile at the thought and take my cell out to text her. She would be sound asleep, but she would see it when she wakes up.

Good morning, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see you when I get back—only two days to go. I miss you so damn much. I know you are sleeping, but I wanted you to know I was thinking of you. I have a busy ahead of me, so if I don’t reply to your text, please don’t worry or overthink it. I will reply when I have a second, promise xxx
I hit send, backing out of my text messages, and my smile grows when I see my screen because it is a photo of Elsie and I in bed, snuggling up. No one has ever made me feel as happy and content as Elsie does. I scroll through my cell, stopping at my photo gallery and looking through the photos of Elsie or of us together. I didn’t realise I had so many. She is so damn beautiful. I just wish she would see herself the way I do. I hate when she brings herself down because she is perfect the way she is.
I am utterly smitten with her, and it feels like I have known her for years. I don’t think I could imagine my life without Elsie in anymore. My world would be sad without her in it, as it was before we met.
I came across one of my favourites I have of her. She had no idea I had taken it, so it was natural, yet she was still smiled brightly in it. I really am a lucky man.
After five minutes, I put my cell away, finishing up my coffee and breakfast as I waited. Hopefully, Elsie will be home when I arrive. I may call Barry and see if he is with Cassie, and she can tell me if Elsie is home or not. If she is out, I am sure Cassie will let me wait in their apartment until she arrives home.
It would be nice if it were Elsie who answered the door, but she may have made other plans. The main thing is I will be back home with her, and I am excited for that. I can’t wait to get my hands and lips on her and have her next to me at night.
I swear the last week apart from her has felt like months. I think she missed me as much as I missed her, which is a good sign and makes me believe maybe I am not the only one falling. I want to tell her how I truly feel, but it might be too soon. Nevertheless, it is something for me to think about.