Love Without Borders Read online

  Her computer beeped with a new email notification early that evening.

  That’s great! Adam emailed. I’ll give ESAG the heads up that your paperwork is coming. Don’t get overwhelmed with it. There are a lot of forms to fill out, but it’s just so the organization has every T crossed. Once this is all done, it will be smooth sailing. Let me know if you have questions.

  He seemed quite jazzed that she was going and that made Val smile. They continued to text over the next couple of days but it was mostly superficial or trip related. He told her he was wrapping up his days of meetings in Chicago and was about to start his vacation, whatever that meant. She knew he had struggled to decide what to do with his enforced vacation time.

  Hey. Got your email with all the paperwork. Thrilled that you said yes!

  Me too. I’m very excited for the trip. Did I fill it all out correctly?

  Looks good to me. I’ll make your arrangements with the ESAG office later today, so you’ll be set.

  Thanks. Next week is your big vacation. What did you settle on doing?

  Still mostly undecided. Going to stop by and see mom for a couple of days in Florida. Then??

  Florida will be nice weather at least.

  She could just imagine his family’s commentary. Val’s mom didn’t hold back from sharing her opinion, so she could just imagine Adam’s parents giving him advice on how to live his life. Good-natured but still annoying enough to get on one’s nerves.

  Val’s phone buzzed again.

  Hey, crazy idea. Is your offer to show me around DC still open?

  Val’s eyes widened. Was he serious? They had texted for a week and now he was going to come stay in DC to spend time with her? Before she could think about what she was doing, she texted back.

  Of course. You going to swing through town on your vacation?

  Why not? You can show me the sights and I can explore a new city; everyone wins.

  Ok. You’re on. Send me your info on when you’ll be in town. It’s a date.

  It’s a date? Oh man, Val groaned inwardly at that text. She held her breath for his response.

  Yes. It’s a date.

  She let out her breath. Did she want it to be a date? She definitely wanted to get to know him better. She thought he was handsome. She was interested in him. But was she ready for more? For a relationship? Val wasn’t sure about that, but how bad could a few days of time together really be? He was headed back to Rwanda after vacation. Things between them couldn’t possibly last longer than that. This might be a fun fling, but that’s all it could be. How can you possibly have a relationship with someone who lives halfway around the world?

  Val didn’t hesitate in texting Bri after saying goodbye to Adam.

  OMG! Adam is going to be in DC next week!

  What?!? Bri texted back.

  He’s on vacation and didn’t have anything planned, so now he’s coming here. I offered to show him around.

  Go, girl! I’m assuming this is not a friend zone thing.

  I don’t think so. I stupidly texted “it’s a date”, and he agreed. I don’t know what that means. I’m interested in him, so maybe this is good.

  That’s great! I’m so happy for you. Do I get to meet him?

  Not sure. I have no clue what we should do. Do I do fun stuff, romantic, sporty? I’m flying blind.

  You’ve got a few days. You’ll figure it out. Do we need to go shopping for some sexy lingerie?

  Bri! Your one-track mind is working overtime again! I’m not even sure he’ll see my apartment.

  There’s always his hotel room. ;)

  Seriously, Bri. You are nuts sometimes.

  You know you love me. Brunch with the girls this weekend?

  Yep, I’m in. See you then!

  Val shook her head. As much as Bri always took it to the extreme with men, Val knew she wanted the best for her. Maybe Bri was right. Val didn’t know where things were going with Adam. Would it get romantic? Would they realize they have nothing in common once they were face-to-face? As much as Val loved to plan things out, there wasn’t much Val could do to prepare. She’d pick a couple of places for their first time out and see how it went.

  She had butterflies in her stomach, but the excited kind. Not the imminent doom kind. It was nice to be all aflutter. A little nervous excitement about Adam’s visit was much more fun than wondering what she was cooking for dinner or where to run next. Besides, she thought, this could be another way I can live this exciting new life. A trip to Africa and now throwing caution to the wind and getting involved with a handsome new man. She giggled.

  Val finished up work and went home, head in the clouds. She planned to get in a quick run that evening. Maybe go see a movie. She had the weekend to plan what she and Adam were going to do. Val had a feeling that the time would fly by and Adam would arrive before she knew it.

  After a quiet Friday night, Val woke Saturday with a smile on her face. She went to volunteer at the soup kitchen as usual and even the other volunteers there commented on her cheery disposition.

  The volunteers set up the shelves of food, organizing them by type and date. Val made sure the cans were neat and orderly. When the doors opened, the customer lined up for a number to go through and select food.

  Val greeted each person that came to her canned food station warmly. She smiled at the children, took the slips of paper with numbers, and helped the older customers put items in their bags. She was always polite and helpful to the patrons.

  It’s so funny, she thought. I don’t consider myself an unhappy person, but now that Adam is coming to visit in person, it makes me realize that I could be a lot more cheerful. Cheerful about things happening and cheerful about life in general.

  After leaving the food pantry, Val spent Saturday afternoon brainstorming a couple of activities for Adam and her to do. One was to get tickets for the Washington Monument. Or maybe a Smithsonian Museum. She should probably get some info on what he liked before she planned all her favorite things. She wasn’t sure at all what he was into. She picked up her phone to find out.

  Hey. Just planning some things for your visit. What kind of things do you want to do?

  Hey back. I’m pretty open to things. I like trying new restaurants. Do you run?

  Actually, I do run. Do you?

  Yes. We could do a run together.

  Sounds good. Are you a museum person? Music? Theater?

  Um, probably more music than museum or theater, but as much as it will be fun to see DC, I’m really visiting to spend time with you.

  Val was surprised how open Adam was being with her. Experience told her that guys usually played it cool, so it was nice that he was being sincere. She was pleased to see Adam’s admission that he was coming to see her and not DC. That would take some of the tourist pressure off the planning, but it put the pressure on her to see what was happening between the two of them. She wasn’t one to jump ahead in seeing where relationships were going, but with this honesty in texting, Val was curious to see how this translated into real life.

  I’m looking forward to seeing you too. I’ll plan less touristy activities and more hanging out. See you Wednesday?

  Yes. I get in around lunchtime, and then I’ll head over to the hotel to check in. I’m staying at the Topaz Hotel downtown.

  I love Kimpton Hotels! You’ll love it. Such a fun vibe.

  Glad to hear it. I picked it for the good rate, but as long as it has a clean bed and hot water, I’ll be happy.

  You in Florida already?

  Yes. Enjoying a stay at the hotel of mom and dad. My room is still pretty much the same. It’s comforting and odd at the same time.

  Yeah, fun to remember but you’re so different now as an adult. Would you be upset if they changed it to a guest room?

  Nah. I’m hardly ever here. I’d rather they use it…and think of me as an adult. No more of these childhood reminders.

  Val lay down on her back on the couch, phone in hand. She was enjoying this conve
rsation. I know what you mean. Sometimes I wish I could tell my mom that I’ve got it all planned out in my life…but I don’t. I’m learning as I go along.

  Exactly. I’m happy where I am now. Working abroad. Feeling like I’m doing something that matters. I don’t know where I’ll be in two years, five years, 10 years. Maybe I’ll get married and have kids, maybe not.

  A slow smile crept across her face. She rolled over and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. I used to feel like I knew what the path was. Finish school, go to college, graduate, get a good job. Then get married, have kids. The end. But now that I’m working a good job, marriage doesn’t feel like a requirement. Maybe I need something else. Right now I’m trying to break out of my routines and get back to my more carefree days.

  I can help with that. We can be carefree when I visit. What did you say we were doing again? Bungee jumping? Haha

  She chuckled at his teasing. She wished she could type faster to keep their banter going. You laugh now but you have no idea what I have planned.

  I can hardly wait.

  They signed off of the conversation for the evening, and Val retired to her bedroom to settle in for the night. While she usually left her phone in the living room charging overnight, tonight, she put it beside her bed, just in case Adam texted later.

  Sunday arrived with sunshine and warm weather. Val excitedly dressed for brunch with Sarah, Jen, Jenna, Kelly, and Bri. She put on some jeans but picked a cute floral top. It wasn’t something she would wear to work and felt right for her light mood. Picking up her purse and keys, she glanced at her phone to see if Adam had texted. She found herself checking her phone more often as she hoped each time to see a new message from him.

  Val found parking a few blocks from the restaurant and enjoyed the warm morning breeze as she walked to their brunch spot. They liked to meet at a café in Alexandria that had good food and generous mimosas. Val was the last to arrive but wasn’t late. She hugged each friend in turn as they all greeted each other. Once the group finished saying hello, they walked with the hostess to their table.

  Sitting at a table near the back, the girls made small talk as they ordered drinks and food. Once the order was in and the menus removed, Bri beat Val to the punch and didn’t waste any time getting down to real business.

  “I want to start this brunch off by saying that Val met a guy at work. Tall, dark, and handsome Adam,” Bri began. “And, if Val having met a new guy is not enough news, she is going to Rwanda with him at the end of the month. He’s also coming this week to visit her in person.”

  The conversation erupted all at once. “Val, this is totally unlike you…and totally exciting!” “He’s visiting here? Where is he now?” “Rwanda? Isn’t that in Africa?”

  Val held up her hand. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Thanks, Bri, for throwing me under the bus.”

  Bri winked.

  “This is too good to not bring it up to everyone,” said Bri.

  Val filled her friends in on all the details of her meeting Adam, thinking about going on the trip, and her leap into the unknown of going to Africa.

  “I totally encouraged Val to go,” said Bri. She used air quotes around encouraged. “Ok, I twisted her arm, hard.”

  Jenna was first to jump in. “That is incredible news. I’m so excited for you. Do you have to get shots? A passport?”

  “I have a passport from my trip to Paris last year. I have a couple of shots to get. And I need to get some things to pack. I just accepted two days ago. I’m guessing they have to register me or something.”

  Bri cleared her throat and jumped back into the juicy part of the conversation. “Ok, so you’re going on this trip. Tell them now how Adam is coming to visit this week…as more than a friend!”

  All eyes whipped over to Val. She gave a little sigh. If Val had just a fraction of the flair for drama that Bri did, she’d be the star of every show.

  “All right. After I dropped Adam off at the airport, he gave me his card with his cell phone number on it and told me to text him if I had questions about the trip. I did have questions, so I texted him a couple of times while he was on his business trips. Well, I find out that he has vacation at the end of his US trip before he heads back to Rwanda.”

  Jen interrupted. “Wait, you mean to tell me that he lives in Rwanda? Val! Could you not find someone suitable to date who lives on the same continent?”

  “I know, I know. But I think you are all getting way ahead of yourself. I simply told him that next time he came through DC, I’d be happy to show him around. He’s taking me up on that offer in a few days. He didn’t want to spend his vacation in Florida with his folks, so he’s coming here.” Val tried to make it seem casual when she felt anything but casual.

  Kelly was not buying it. “So he’s not visiting family or friends? He’s coming to DC to hang out with you for his vacation after meeting you a week ago? You must be an amazing texter. Or are there some photos you want to tell us about?” Kelly and the girls laughed at that idea.

  “Ha. Ha. No. Yes, this is pretty sudden. I get the sense from his texts that he’s kind of lonely in Rwanda. He loves his work but hasn’t been that great about keeping up his stateside relationships. He is going to visit family for a few days, but yes, then he’s coming to see me. It’s not like he’s sleeping over…he has a hotel room by himself!”

  Sarah was ready to move past the how into the what.“Ok, so he’s coming here,” Sarah said, clearly ready to move past the how into the what. “I’m guessing you guys established the ‘more than friends’ thing over text, too. So where are you taking him? What are you guys going to do? Seems like it would be tough to plan knowing so little about him.”

  “Yes, that is exactly where I am now. He says he doesn’t really care about touristy stuff or museums, so I’m trying to figure out what we’ll do. He runs, so we’ll go for a run together. Beyond that, I’m open to suggestions,” finished Val.

  The girls threw out suggestions from dining in restaurants to picnicking in parks, hiking or visiting one of the obscure museums in DC. Jen suggested walking along the river or kayaking. Val smiled. She was glad to have these women in her life. After getting all the details, no one was freaking out that she hardly knew Adam. They were offering ideas on places to go and trusting her judgment on Adam.

  After the discussion about Adam and Val’s itinerary, the ladies talked about Bri’s new flame Fritz, Jen’s new job, and how Kelly was thinking about going back to school. They talked fashion and books, men and moms. She quickly checked her phone to see if Adam had texted. She was excited to tell him about the suggestions from the girls. Or perhaps she would just tease him with clues. It was exciting to think about just the same.

  Leaving the restaurant, Val’s heart was full from the love of the girls. The question was, did this full heart have room for Adam?

  Chapter 7

  Val and Adam texted sporadically over the next few days. They talked about how his parents still doubted his career choices, what his childhood was like, and how it was to be home as an adult. He asked her what she liked about DC and why she chose to live there over someplace else. He seemed to be getting restless as the days went on and his questions about DC encouraged Val that he was looking forward to seeing her again.

  They were connecting over the digital divide. Val revealed more about herself with each conversation, including how she was struggling to break out of her routines. Adam shared how he wanted to connect with someone but being in Rwanda limited those opportunities. Val really liked Adam. She could see herself falling for this strange guy that she had barely met.

  Talk about getting out of her comfort zone—spending a few days with someone she had met in person once was definitely not usual for Val, but she was excited about it. She couldn’t wait to see him again and figure out if their real life chemistry was just as strong as online.

  Heading to Africa required shots, exotic ones, so she killed time early in the week by visiting the travel clinic nearby. Val ar
rived at a nondescript office on the first floor of a tall building. As soon as she entered the door, she fell in love with the vibe of the small clinic, which had travel posters on the walls and pamphlets about travel safety in the waiting room. They even had a few mementos from what Val assumed were staff trips scattered around. Val gave a quick look at her phone, wanting to text Adam, but wondered if she was coming off too strong.

  Her name was called quickly and she followed the nurse down the hall to the examination room. While she waited for the doctor, Val texted Bri.

  How do I know if I’m coming off too strong?

  Too strong? Bri texted back. Are you throwing yourself at him?

  I don’t think so. But we’ve been texting a lot. Maybe I’m texting him too much?

  Is he quick to respond? Is he revealing as much as you are?

  Yes to both.

  Then I think you’re fine. As long as you’re both responding and opening up, just enjoy it. If it starts to be one sided, then you might need to dial it back.

  Got it. Thanks, Bri.

  The doctor came in just as she put her phone back in her purse. She was very kind as she gave Val three shots and talked to her about how to stay healthy in a far-off country before wishing her well on her journey.

  Val paid her bill at the front desk and left with two sore arms and a smile on her face. This was happening. This trip was real. She couldn’t wait. Once she left the office, she texted Adam.

  Well, I’m official now. Three shots done.

  Hope they took it easy on you. I’ll be sure to be gentle when I see you in person, Adam teased.

  Wednesday arrived at a snail’s pace. Val awoke suddenly that morning. Sitting up in her bed, Val shook off the remnants of sleep and checked her phone right away to see if Adam was up. No messages yet, so she headed to the shower to get ready for the big day, the day Adam arrived in DC. She was a little nervous but mostly excited. They hadn’t finalized the plans for today, so she wasn’t sure how long she’d have to wait to see him.