We’ve only been on two physical dates, but she’s wormed her way into my thoughts. There’s no way I will be able to sleep tonight. I pull my phone off the seat and open up my text messages.
* * *
Bentley: You up for coming over and playing video games.
Derrick: Yep. Be there in two hours. Is it cool if Darcy comes?
Bentley: I assume that means Cam & Travis will be coming, too…
Derrick: Probably.
Bentley: Come on then.
* * *
They are the distraction I need to get my head out of the gutter. Or at least I hope so. They better not come at me with relationship advice.
Eighteen
Serena
I can’t stop thinking about that first kiss, or the ones we’ve shared since. Over the past few weeks, I swear it looks like I’ve gotten lip injections from how swollen they are. We’re like teenagers making out as much as we can when we see each other. It’s not uncalled for since we rarely see each other. Video calls over the phone don't count and are nowhere near enough. Now, more than ever, I wish I had a job that didn’t require me to be gone so much. If that was the case, though, I wouldn’t have met him. I don’t think we would have ever crossed paths. I just wish I had more time to see him.
My relationship with Bentley feels like it did when I was with Braxton, but different. All the giddy newness is there, but it feels like more. Like things could really progress with us and that thought terrifies me. It’s probably not right that I’m comparing the two, but it’s hard. I thought I had more with Braxton, except I didn’t. I wasn’t the one meant for him. Fear pulses through my veins, and I need to tamp that down. They aren’t the same.
Hazel pulls me aside before passengers leave the plane. “Are you going out with Bentley tonight?”
The man in question is sitting in the middle of the center aisle. It warms my heart that even though he has the ability to fly first class, he doesn’t. He chooses to fly coach so he can see me. “Yeah. We have a reservation for dinner.”
She waggles her eyebrows at me. “Are you going to take it to the next level? I mean, you don’t even have to go to a hotel tonight because we’re home. You can just take him straight to your own bed.”
“Oh my God, Hazel.” I move to hit her in the arm, but she backs out of my reach. “What the hell is wrong with you? You don’t just talk about that stuff kind of stuff in a room full of people.”
“Technically, we’re in a plane,” she smirks. “Besides, they can’t hear us. Most of them are too busy getting their crap together,” she leans closer to me, “so are you going to?”
“I don’t know. Maybe? Probably?” I can’t believe I’m having this conversation right here. What if one of the other attendants hears me? “I’m not going to specifically plan for it. If it feels right, then we’ll act on it. I’m not going to screw him just because. I need to know that he’s not like most other men.”
“That’s good and all, but from what I can tell, he’s a solid choice. I’ve been checking the gossip articles as much as you have, and anytime I’ve seen him mentioned he’s been with that guy he usually travels with. Or he’s with his team. There’s definitely been a lack of scantily clad women. I think that means he’s the real deal.”
She has a point. I’ve been watching the articles like a hawk and nothing has shown up since we started dating. ‘We’ll see. I know he has to go to the team hotel for a meeting. That should give me enough time to go home and clean just in case.”
“I don’t see how your apartment could be dirty. You’re almost never home.”
“It’s usually just dusting. But I need to make sure there’s no dirty laundry on the bathroom floor.”
“Seems legit,” she nods in agreement. “Well, it’s time to wish these passengers farewell. Well, most of them.” The devilish quirk of her lips tells me she has no doubt in her mind that I’ll be having sex tonight.
I roll my eyes and push past her. I can’t even with this woman. I swear if I had an angel on one shoulder, she’d be the bad influence on the other, but I love her like a sister. Sometimes more than my actual sister. She’s been there for me more times than I can count, and when I don’t want her there.
I stand by the plane exit, waiting for the passengers to leave, offering goodbyes and hoping they have a great trip. Most of them are waiting for another plane to reach their destination, but some are here to take in the sights. Little as they may be.
As per usual, Bentley waits until he’s the last one to get off the plane. “Are you ready for our date tonight?”
He slides his arm around my waist and pulls me close to him. He leans in for a kiss then stops, remembering I’m still on the clock. “Yes, I’m ready. I can meet you at the restaurant.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind coming to get you first.”
I shake my head before he can argue anymore. “I’m sure. It’s dumb for you to pay to come to my place and then go right back downtown. There’s no sense in it.”
