I guess I better catch up on those Korean lessons…
Chapter 10
Even as we board the plane, I’m still having a hard time accepting this is really happening.
Lex is right behind me, pulling his own carry-on, and we quickly reach our seats since we’re both in first class—a perk of having Kevin’s ticket changed to my name. I’m impressed by the luxury of it. Haneul Airlines doesn’t joke about first class. We each have a very decent-sized area, separated by a wide console and a partition that can be set up or down. Given the legroom, I guess the seats can turn into beds, which sounds like the epitome of extravagance. How did I wait twenty-six years to try this?!
I watch as Lex lifts his suitcase up, admiring his perfect physique enhanced by his dark suit.
“I still think you’re insane,” I say when he grabs my suitcase to help me.
“For the suit?”
“Yeah. This is an eleven-hour flight, Lex!Elevenhours!”
“I’m used to it. And this is my comfortable suit.”
I raise a skeptical eyebrow at it. It looks hot as hell on him, but not comfortable at all. On the other hand, I am wearing the comfiest jeggings I own, an elegant but loose blouse, and a wool cardigan. I even dismissed wearing a bra. Maybe I don’t look as smart as he does, but I’d rather that than be tense the whole time.
Lex takes his laptop out as soon as we sit down, and I familiarize myself with everything at my disposal. There’s a sleep mask in here, socks, small toiletries… I’m like a child on Christmas morning, and my wonderment amuses him greatly. He indulgently nods every time I show him a new discovery.
It’s only when the wheels leave the ground that the reality of what’s happening strikes me. In a little over eleven hours, I’ll be in Korea.
Once we reach our cruise altitude, a flight attendant comes to see if we need anything. “I’ll have a whiskey, please,” Lex asks. Then he turns to me and adds, “To help relax. Do you want something?”
“I’ll have a beer, thanks.”
The woman leaves, and I observe Lex. Hedoeslook like he needs to relax. Is it just being in a flying tin can full of explosive fuel over thirty thousand feet above the Pacific Ocean, or is he worried about our encounter with the company’s officials?
Lex opens his laptop on the folding tray in front of him, ready to get some work done, and I lean in to help him. He wants to be prepared and prove to their new partner that Kelex is worth their trust. We work for about two hours, ordering another round halfway through it. Our surrounding partitions are closed so we can focus without the distraction of the other passengers.
The lunch service forces us to take a break, and I decide right then and there that I’mneverflying coach ever again. The trout filet in hollandaise sauce, green beans, and squid ink spaghetti look delicious. Lex orders a third glass of whiskey, and I switch to water.
“We should stop working, and I should ask you some personal questions,” I suggest. “You’re an open book when you’re drunk.”
“As opposed to you, who’s an open book when sober and an audiobook when drunk,” he jokes.
I chuckle. “Alcohol enhances things, so I get even more talkative.”
“Do I get extra broody when I’m drunk, then?”
“You’re just hornier, to be honest.”
Per usual, I spoke without thinking, and I instantly regret it. That moment in my car after Halloween is still a sour memory. I can’t believe that was a little over two weeks ago. Again, things between us move fast—scarilyfast.
It should worry me, but I can’t bring myself to. It’s how we are, probably because of how intense everything is with him. He brings me out of my comfort zone, pushing me to be bold and adventurous.
“This is a little crazy, isn’t it?” I ask.
“This trip?”
“Yeah, I was about to quit so I’d never have to see you again, and now I’m here…”
If anyone can sympathize with this sentiment, it’s him. I know he feels the same. He was ready to move to the other side of the country for the exact same reason, after all.
“I can’t tell you how much I tried to stay away from you,” he explains after a moment of silent pondering. “For so many reasons, I tried to keep my distance.”
“Same. Sleeping with my boss sounded like a terrible idea. But even when I thought you were an asshole, I couldn’t shake you out of my mind.”
