Nate
After an hour of waiting for and loading everyone into the SUVs once again, we’re on our way back to the airport. The excitement that flips my stomach is disorienting. Ian told me the flight crew left early, so I didn’t see Olive this morning.
I glance at the clock on the dashboard, my leg jiggling in anticipation. The driver gives me a questioning look. “You okay, man?”
“Yep.”Would be more okay if you drove quicker.“Never been better.”Or I will be when we get to the airport.
I stare out the window and contemplate the plight that I’m in. It’s not like I’m surprised that I’m attracted to Olive. That’s a given, as she’s fucking gorgeous. But what I am surprised about is the voracity at which I want her. I feel this pull to get to know her that I always hoped I would feel with someone, but wasn’t sure I would ever find it.
But what’s even more confounding to me is the fear I feel surrounding that. Why would I fear something that I’ve wanted more than anything?
The stopping of the vehicle snaps me back to reality. Once I climb out, I start directing the group toward the plane.
“Nate,” Jenny purrs as she slips her hand around my arm as we walk. “I was wondering if you would like to get dinner tonight.”
I grit my teeth. I didn’t appreciate her advances before I met Olive, but now, they grate on me even more. I force as much politeness in my tone as I can when I reply, “Miss Bell, as I have explained on multiple occasions, that would be highly inappropriate and unprofessional.” Pulling my arm free from hers, I gesture to the stairs leading to the plane. “After you.”
She narrows her eyes and tilts her head, studying me intently. Then, giving me one last suggestive smile, she passes me to ascend into the plane.
I breathe out a silent sigh as I follow behind.
As I enter the plane, Cade is having a heated conversation with the pilot. I throw him a questioning look as I walk by to find my seat, but I only receive a tight-lipped smile in response.
I glance around the plane to find no Olive. Maybe she’s just in the bathroom. When I look toward the front of the plane again, I see Cade furiously typing on his phone.
Ian elbows me. “I wonder what the hell’s going on. Cade looks worried, and the pilot looks pissed.”
I don’t respond. The swirling emotions inside of me turn to panic.
What if something happened to Olive? What if she’s hurt somewhere? Or worse?
I push out of my chair to talk to Cade, when a flash of black hair and a navy uniform flies into the galley. Her breathless apologies filter into the cabin just a second later. I can hear Cade telling her it’s okay and asking her what’s going on. She moves farther into the galley, so I can’t see or hear her, but the look on Cade’s face as he listens to whatever she tells him is one of sadness. And sympathy. He opens his arms, and she steps into them, hugging him tight.
Clearly, something’s going on, but at least she isn’t injured, or worse.
I blow out a breath as I sit back down and buckle my seatbelt.
“Crisis averted,” Ian mumbles next to me before returning to reading emails on his phone.
The pilot pops his head out of the cockpit as Olive steps out of the galley, adjusting her uniform. While his voice is hushed, I can tell he’s scolding her, even if I can’t make out his words. Olive stands there, her back tense and straight, nodding, and what I can only assume as I watch her lips move, apologizing repeatedly.
He says a few more things with angry hand gestures before returning to the cockpit. Olive shifts away from where he disappeared, wiping her face. My jaw clenches, grip tightening on the armrests. That motherfucker made her cry.
I can’t punch the pilot.
Jack would be mad.
Ella would never let me hear the end of it.
Ian would get grumpy. And no one wants that. He’s grumpy enough as it is.
Taking deep, slow breaths, I count back from fifty. I feel much calmer when I get to zero, even if I still want to punch the pilot.
Maybe I can have a conversation with him when we land about how to treat his coworkers.
I can be very persuasive.
I blow out another heavy breath between pursed lips and shift uncomfortably in my seat.
