She walks over and bends to listen. “Can we get one of those tablets I talked to you about? The ones that help with relaxation?” he asks, and she nods, walking away.
“Relaxation pills?”
“Yeah. I asked Tamara to buy you some after the last flight. It should kick in…” he checks his watch, “… in about twenty minutes. It’s to help with your anxiety,” he says, kissing my hand.
“You did that for me?” I smile at him so brightly that my cheeks hurt.
“I want you to feel comfortable. They’ll be available for you on every flight we take. Only the best formygirl.”
“Ah… so, I amyour girl?Does that mean I can call you my boyfriend?”
He exhales. “No, you know I don’t likethat word. We’re exclusive. You’re my girl, and I’m your guy, but we don’t need to label it, Dee. We know what we are to each other, and our friends know how we feel. Why do we need to tell the world about it? Why do we need to label everything?”
“Right. Of course.” I don’t know what made me ask—I knew the answer. I guess curiosity and all that. But now, I’m more anxious, my nerves twisting my insides, and it has nothing to do with the damn plane. As if he can sense my feelings, he tightens his grip on my hand and smiles at me.
Tamara returns with a bottle of water and a tablet in a little container. “Here you go, Miss Norman. This should help you for the entire flight.”
“How long is the flight?”
“Five hours, non-stop, Miss Norman.”
“Thanks, Tam.”
She dips her head and walks away.
Opening the bottle of water, I down the pill. The quicker it works, the better I’ll feel.
Everyone has finally finished boarding, and I watch Tam arm the jet door. My heart rate speeds up exponentially, and my hand automatically tightens around Colt’s.
“Dee, look at me,” he whispers calmly.
My breathing is shallow as I turn my head. “That’s right, baby, keep your eyes on me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here with you.” His free hand caresses my cheek.
Leaning into his hand, I exhale, but when I hear the jet engines roar, I tense, then close my eyes tightly and grip Colt’s hand so hard it has to hurt.
“Dee, open your eyes,” Colt commands.
They shoot open, and all I see is his luminous, sparkling eyes, but it does nothing to calm me when the jet shudders, moving down the runway. I take long, steady breaths, wishing the damn tablet would kick in already.
“Look at me, Dee. Look into my eyes and concentrate. Slow your breathing. I’m right here, baby,” he says, and somehow, his words have a calming effect.
My breathing slows, and my pulse settles while focusing on Colt. His hand caresses my face, and his gentle touch soothes me. Taking a deep breath, I exhale, lost in his eyes. Their bright blue has me swimming in them, almost like I’m in a trance.
Suddenly, my body feels heavy, and my eyes open and close a few times, like it’s hard to keep them open.
“Are the pills working, baby?” he asks softly as I return to reality.
“They can’t be, not yet. I only just took them. We haven’t even taken off yet.”
“Baby, we took off half an hour ago,” he answers.
Well, shit!
“We did?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah, you’ve been staring at me for thirty minutes.”
“Oh God, I’m so embarrassed.”
