“Where to?”
I do my best to maintain my composure as I give him an easy smile.
“Boston.”
Alec looks at me with suspicion in a way that sets me on edge before it slips away in the next moment.
“Visiting your sister?”
“Yeah, exactly,” I agree way too quickly.
He nods. “I gotta be honest. I’m kinda surprised. You guys never seemed like the type of siblings that were…close.”
I laugh at that because oh how right he is.
“We weren’t…Aren’t…We’re trying,” I say with a shrug as I lie through my fucking teeth.
“Well, can I give you a ride to the airport then?” he asks.
He could, in theory. I could leave my car here like I did last weekend, and it would be totally fine. For some reason, I don’t want to, though. Something in me is telling me not to. Maybe he’s just too observant and it’s putting me on edge. Maybe it’s because Idon’t want to feel like I’m leading him on any more than I already have. Or maybe it’s because since Nico has been back in Boston, his jealousy has cranked up a thousand degrees, mostly in the hot way.
“You’re so sweet. That’s okay, though. I like having my car at the airport for when I come back. You know, delays and all.”
Alec’s eyes narrow slightly before he nods.
“I get that. Okay, well, safe trip. Text me when you can, yeah?”
“Absolutely,” I nod, forcing a smile as much as I can.
He pulls me in for a hug and I wrap my arms around him as I feel him squeeze me. It’s tighter than a normal hug and when he pulls away, he turns sharply and practically stomps off to his bike, firing it up before peeling out of the parking lot. The entire encounter has me feeling more than a little unsettled, and I’m half tempted to tell Nico about it. I think better of it, though. He’d only freak out.
Once I get to the airport, I find myself wandering around for a hot minute until I find where I’m boarding the jet, Nico’s jet. I can’t believe that I’m dating someone who has their own freaking jet. Okay, dating is a loose term. Then again, is it? Fucking doesn’t seem right. Maybe seeing? Yeah, I’m seeing him. Either way, how on earth is this my life?
Easy, you swiped it out from under your sister.
Internally rolling my eyes at my inner voice, I do my best to shove that bitch back where she belongs because honestly, I don’t have time for her shit.
Once it’s time to board the jet, Jackie greets me at the top of the stairs with a smile.
“Welcome back, Miss Fischer. It’s wonderful to see you.”
I return her smile with a nod.
“You too, Jackie.”
A look of surprise passes across her face that has my eyes shifting from side to side.
“What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing, nothing. I just didn’t realize that you remembered my name. Caught me by surprise.”
I shrug simply. “You took really good care of us last flight and you seem really kind.”
Jackie’s smile softens but it doesn’t lose its authenticity. If anything, it increases.
“Thank you…others haven’t been as…warm as you,” she says carefully.
I give her a flat look.
