6. Resting in Puerto Rico

Blair

" Come on, did you see the picture? I won that one, Commander," I couldn't help but smile.

 I was lying on a sun lounger on a beach near San Juan enjoying my free time before boarding.

" Blair, we are talking about the Duomo in Milan," Dimitri returned, exuding amusement in his voice, "you have to accept that it is a good picture.

" I'm not denying it, I'm saying mine is better," I returned.

It had been two weeks since Dimitri and I had started keeping in touch, and practically every day we exchanged pictures of the places we were, competing to see who had the best destination.

" It's a beach, Blair.

" It's a beach in Puerto Rico, Dimitri," I returned, "Caribbean. Have you ever been to the Caribbean?”

 A laugh rang out on the other end of the line, causing me to bite my lower lip, feeling a growing wave of excitement rising inside me.

 I loved talking to him, it always made my day more interesting.

" No, Blair. I've never been to the Caribbean.

" Then we need to fix that, Commander," I returned, closing my eyes and feeling the delicious Puerto Rican sun bathing me, "I know some incredible beaches.”

" Is this some kind of hobby? Getting to know as many beaches as you can? " he asked.

I lay on my side on the lounger, watching the contrast of the sand with the extremely blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

 He doesn't know what he is missing.

" Exactly, if I have the opportunity to visit the most diverse beaches, I won't waste my time.”

" I can't disagree, but didn't you say you were coming home today?” 

" Yes, I landed five hours ago and I have to be back at the airport by early evening. It will be a quick flight, only four hours.”

" Shouldn't you rest?”

" I am resting while enjoying the sun. Are you going to tell me that you stay in the hotel all the time? " I sat up” You're lucky I'm not in Milan, or I'd drag you all over the city.”

" Really? This could be interesting.”

" Do you have any plans to return to the United States, Commander? " I asked hopefully.

" I already got next month's roster, but I'm not scheduled to go to the States," he reported regretfully.

" What the hell," I muttered in low Turkish, pouting as I watched the blue sky through the dark lenses of my sunglasses.

I was enjoying chatting with Dimitri, but I couldn't help the desire to see him, making it a little less mechanical and more personal. I was not born for virtual friendship.  I liked to be present, to have physical contact, to be able to take the person to the places I like!

I was enjoying talking to him, but I was hating all the distance!

" Blair, I have to go. I was supposed to meet the crew later, and…”

" Sure, go have fun," I sighed, "enjoy Milan.”

" Have a good flight later, Blair," he wished before ending the call. 

I sighed again, finally putting the cell phone aside, deciding to enjoy the sun. 

" I thought you would never hang up," Evangeline, one of the flight attendants who had worked with me on the flight and decided to accompany me to the beach, declared as she reminded me of her presence.

" Sorry, just a guy I met a few weeks ago.” 

" Just a guy? " she sneered " it didn't sound like "just a guy.” 

I couldn't help but laugh at the look on her face. I had worked with her before, but never really got to know her, and I was enjoying spending time in her company. Even though after that we would spend another eight months without any contact.

" Unfortunately this is the reality," I looked in her direction, "he is just a guy who lives in Russia.”

" Russia?” 

" Do you understand why he's just a guy? " I sighed, throwing myself back on the lounge chair and eliciting a small laugh from the girl.

" Okay, what do you say we forget about this guy and find a nice restaurant for lunch?