“You good?” I asked.
“Shit. I don’t know.” He rubbed his hands over his face.
“It’s just a meeting,” I said gently. “You don’t have to do anything else if you don’t want to.”
“I know.”
“Talk to me. What’s going on up there?”
“I’m just thinking about how good you’re gonna look on the beach in LA.”
I took a slow breath. I hadn’t been on a plane in years. I hadn’t traveled since the flare that changed my whole life. The idea of flying to a city like LA made me nervous, but Quade wanted me there, so I was going.
“I haven’t been to the beach in so long. I don’t even have a swimsuit,” I said.
He barked out a laugh and kissed my shoulder.
“We can fix that with one swipe of my card, baby.”
“I can buy my own swimsuit, Quade.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to.” He pulled me in closer. “Yo’ man got two jobs, baby,” he said, and I laughed so hard in his arms. We were both reclaiming something we’d thought we’d lost, something I don’t think either of us believed we deserved, and it was beautiful.
We pulledup to the landing strip late, and the jet was already waiting. I had to stop Noa from turning around three times before we even left her damn house. She was nervous about traveling. She didn’t say it out loud, but I saw it in her mannerisms. The way she kept rolling back and forth, trying to make sure she’d packed everything was a clear giveaway. I got it. I was taking the girl who never left her house and flying her halfway across the country.
“You good?” I asked, pressing a kiss to her temple as we boarded the flight.
“Yes.” She nodded, releasing a deep breath. She was scared, but she was going anyway to support me, and hell, that meant everything. The driver opened my side and then quickly movedto Noa’s, her chair already ready. By the time I stepped out, the staff was already approaching us. One of them, a man in a blazer and a headset, stepped forward with a clipboard.
“Mr. Sills,” she said, smiling. “We’ve got the ramp prepared if your guest would prefer to board using her chair. We’re also available to assist directly if needed.”
I looked back at Noa, then turned to the man.
“Y’all handle the chair. I got her.” Before Noa could say anything, I ducked down and swept her into my arms.
“Quade!” She gasped, laughing as she gripped my shoulder. “Please! Oh my God!”
“You should have never let me up in you if you didn’t want to be my arm candy.” I smirked.
She shook her head, but the grin she tried to hide told me everything I needed to know. This wasn’t about her not being able to walk on. Noa was perfectly capable of getting up the ramp in her chair, but I enjoyed carrying her. I liked her being close to me, and I liked that she let me take care of her when she didn’t have to. I loved how her body fit against mine, like God grew her just for me. I carried her up the stairs effortlessly with her smiling up at me like the happiest woman in the world.
“Welcome aboard.” The flight attendant greeted us as we stepped onboard. “We’ve got champagne and refreshments already out for you as soon as you’re settled.”
“Thank you.” I nodded and continued boarding. The second we crossed the threshold, I felt her breath catch.
“Oh my God…” I didn’t say anything, just held her and let her take it all in. “This is how the rich fly, huh?”
She looked up at me as she gawked at the cream leather seats and gold hardware on the jet. It was nice and a clear sign that Eight24 was getting money. I scanned the room. The low table in front of the sofa had two champagne flutes and a tray of snacks.I’d made sure they knew to include those nasty ass thin mints Noa liked, too.
“You did not bring flowers on this plane,” Noa blurted in shock as we made our way down the aisle toward the large bouquet of soft yellow tulips I’d bought for her.
“I didn’t.” I shrugged, lowering her into the seat across from the flowers. “I had ’em delivered ahead. Told them my girl expects a bouquet a day.”
She shook her head, hiding her smile.
“I could have sacrificed travel day,” she said. “It’s not like I’m lacking any. At this rate, I’m gon’ mess around and have to start a garden.”
I grinned. “If you want a garden, I’ll make sure you get one.”
