She stops, eyes fluttering in response to my outburst.
“Tate, I can’t.”The words come out slow and choked.
“Can’t...what?”She moves closer, grasping my hands in hers.I look everywhere but her eyes.
“I can’t do anything but what they say.I need this.It’s all I’ve got.”
Her eyes immediately pool with tears, and she shakes her head.“No, you’ve got me, and together...”
“No, Tate.I can’t.“
She pulls her hand back, nodding, “Sure, okay.”
“Tate...”
She laughs a wet laugh.“I’m fine.Just tired.I’m going to head to bed, I think.See you in the morning?”
“Yeah, I probably should too,” I say, standing and walking over to her.I wrap my arms around her like a human cloak.She nearly disappears between my limbs.The strands of her hair running wild from her messy bun just under my chin.After a minute, she presses up on her toes and her lips meet mine in a soft kiss.It’s unexpected but welcomed.I bend into it, pressing back with equal force until she slowly lowers back down.
“Good night,” I say.
She smiles.“Good night.”
And then she’s gone.I sit in the kitchen for another hour, trying to think logically about Jan and Kim’s plan, but Tate’s mouth has disoriented me to a point of no return.I push the pad of my finger into the corner of my eye.“You’ve got me” she’d said, and I wonder if she meant it.The insecure part of me is still screaming, Yeah, but for how long?
That’s what I like about business.Most of the time, what you put in, you get out.People though...people are unpredictable.Flying around based on feelings, and feelings change.Bottom line is, this is my dream and I’m not so lovesick that I don’t see the incredible opportunity I have sitting right in front of me.They want me to be the boyfriend?Fantastic.They want me to play the jerk?Consider it done.If it results in me making it to the top two, I’ll do it.In the long run, if Tate sticks around—and judging by that kiss, I think she will—she will see how this unfortunate situation sets us up for the future.Opens doors.Yeah, in the morning, things will be clearer.
Chapter 28
Tate
“Attention please.Passengers, this is your final boarding call for Southwest Airlines flight 3031 to New Orleans.Your gate is Gate A4.Please proceed to the gate with your boarding pass and identification ready.Thank you.”
I’ve always liked airports.The idea that you could go anywhere in the world is amazing, yes, but I also love the people.Never is it more apparent that the gravity of your own storyline isn’t as heavy as you once thought it to be.There are families taking vacation, men in suits on business trips, grandmas going to visit grandbabies, and bachelorettes using one Spanish word every five sentences on their way to Cabo.“Where is the baño?”and “I can’t wait for the siesta...fiesta?Definitely siesta.”
Life is always happening, and will continue that way, even if I left behind possibly the biggest opportunity of my life.Last night, I was sure I was making the right decision.The fire Jan and Kim stoked was burning hot when I intentionally pressed my lips into Levi’s for what would be our last kiss.I pull myself from the chair and walk over to the flight attendant preparing to close the door.
