“Mary, as in Bloody Mary,” he said, correcting me.
“Oh, ugh. I’m so tired. I heardmerry meand I thought you meant ... I don’t know ... me or something. Never mind.” I let out a nervous giggle.
What was happening to me? It was as if cheerleaders had taken over my mind and body like the aliens did in that one movie.
“Merry as in this is the best plane ride I’ve had in a long time? Absolutely, it is. And I may have been insinuating my being very lucky to have a cocktail with you, but no marriage necessary.”
He set his hand lightly on my arm, capturing my attention and sending spirals of friction through my sleeve, and my eyes widened.
“Oh,” he said quickly. “This was a merry moment until a second ago. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
A blush swept up my neck, thankfully hidden by my turtleneck. This was all getting to be too much ... the want, need, and disgust all rolled up in one big wad ofno thank you. I didn’t do emotions like this. I was practical, matter-of-fact, lived my life in absolutes. Black and white was always more comfortable for me.
At the end of the day, that was why I was an editor. I lived by the rules—in life, work, friendships, and relationships. There were certain dictates to live by and I followed them. Never mind that I didn’t know who the hell came up with those rules; I still followed them like they were a doctrine.
“Don’t answer,” he said kindly, letting me off the hook. “I am lucky. Anybody would be lucky sitting next to you. So what if we’re stuck sitting next to each other on a plane? I’m still lucky.”
My cheeks burned. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s cool, Charli, New York’s a big place. When we get off this flying piece of metal, you never have to see me again.”
I didn’t respond. The words got all tangled up in my vocal cords, and shame covered me like snow falling on the skating rink at Rockefeller Center.
“Here you go.” The attendant set our drinks down in front of us.
Not knowing what else to say, I went back to Lucy, and Layton returned his gaze to Katie What’s-her-name and her big happy-go-lucky smile.
