Yeah, we packed a half-dozen suitcases full of wedding paraphernalia.
Tori
You know what I mean. Just be careful.
I never should have told her about that night, but Madi was still at her photography club meeting when I got home, and I had to tellsomeone. I wonder what things would be like if Madihadbeen home when I’d come through the door, Dr Pepper covering my feet, stars in my eyes, and hair extensions hanging over the sides of my purse.
Siena
Just pray the captain keeps the seatbelt sign on because otherwise, I won’t be able to stop myself from jumping on top of him.
*eyeroll emoji*
Tori
You’re a dork. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
I laugh softly through my nose and turn my phone to airplane mode.
“Something funny?” Jack’s eyes are open now.
I shake my head and put my phone away, hoping he didn’t see anything. His ego doesn’t need any help. “So, what’s your plan once we get there?” Tori at least got me thinking about what happens after this twelve-hour plane ride. Exactly how much time will I be spending with Jack?
“You tellme, spreadsheet master,” he says. “Consider me your newly minted assistant.” He straightens an imaginary tie at his throat.
“You’re my Dwight?”
“Sure,if you’re cool being Michael Scott. I took you for more of an Angela, though.”
I punch his arm as he laughs. “And I tookyoufor more of a Ryan.”
His smile fades, and he shakes his head, even though there’s still a teasing glint in his eye. “Too far, Sheppard. Too. Far.”
“So, what did Madi say about you changing your flight?”
He shrugs as he plays with the tray table latch. “Nothing.”
I simply refuse to believe that. “You mean you didn’t tell her.”
“I’ve been kind of busy changing my flight and getting things ready to run without me while I’m gone. I got like an hour of sleep last night.”
I cock an eyebrow. “How long does it take you to compose a simple text, Jack?”
He shifts in his seat, messing with the safety info card in the seat pocket. “It’snota simple text.”
Someone in the row in front of us turns, gives us the evil eye through the space between the seats, then clears his throat meaningfully. Apparently, one person on the entire plane is listening to the safety demonstration, and he happens to be seated in front of us.
Jack waves in acknowledgement. “Sorry ‘bout that, sir.”
I lean toward Jack and, with my eyes on the row in front of us, I whisper. “It’s as simple as you make it.Hey, I changed my flight to help with the wedding.See?” I get a whiff of his aftershave, and suddenly I’m on a lamp-lit street with Dr Pepper spraying my feet and his lips on mine.
I pull back to a safer distance, not sure if I’m intrigued or annoyed that he still wears the same aftershave seven years later.
My safe distance is compromised when he leans toward me. “Yeah, and how do you propose I let her know I’ll be showing up withyou?”
“I thought you said Madi had no reason to worry.”
“Not aboutme…” His eyes are teasing me again, and from such a close distance that I notice for the first time how dark brown they are.
