I cleared my throat. “The car is waiting downstairs.”
“Okay.”
That was it, the entirety of our conversation before we headed for the elevator. I caught her glancing at my reflection in the mirrored wall once, but she immediately pretended to be fascinated by the numbers lighting up above the doors when she saw me looking at her.
By the time we stepped into the garage, my driver was waiting beside the black SUV that would take us to the airfield. I’d already brought my things down earlier.
Kate nodded at him when he opened the back door, but neither of us spoke as we slid into the car, and the actual drive passed in that same, careful quiet. Alex’s private jet was sleek and gleaming against the pale morning sky when we arrived.
I’d flown with him dozens of times, but this was the first time I was kind of pissed that we were taking his jet instead of mine.
Shit, does that mean I actually care about impressing her?I nearly scoffed out loud at the thought, but that didn’t make the sentiment any less true.Holy fuck, I do care. I want her to know I have one too. I want her to like it. To know the world will be her oyster while we’re married.
Some kind of sound must’ve escaped me because Kate turned to me as the driver opened the door for her. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” I looked at the hangar as I climbed out of the car and pretended I wasn’t being an idiot right now.
Alex and Jane were already boarding when we reached the steps. My brother turned, waiting for us with that usual, easygrin he wore these days. “Look who decided to finally show up. I’m glad you could join us.”
He pulled Kate into a quick, brotherly hug that earned him a mock glare from her. “You say that like I’ve ever missed anything important.”
“Well, I wouldn’t know, would I? I’m kind of looking forward to finding out, though.” He released her and motioned at the open door to the cabin. “You remember Jane?”
“Of course.” Kate smiled when Jane appeared behind him, radiant and slightly pale at the same time.
She beamed when she saw us, moving carefully down a step to hug Kate first and then me. “Hi. I’m so glad we’re all going together. Misery loves company after all.”
“Misery?” I repeated after her. “What are you miserable about?”
“Morning sickness,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “It turns out it doesn’t care about time zones, private jets, or my carefully planned snack rotation. What goes down, must come up.”
Alex immediately slid an arm around her shoulders, guiding her back up the stairs like she might dissolve into mist if he didn’t maintain physical contact at all times. But he glanced back at me with worry flickering in his eyes. “She’s exaggerating. She’s only thrown up twice this morning, right?”
“Three times,” she said sweetly when he looked back at her. “But who’s counting?”
Kate laughed softly beside me, the sound warm and genuine. I caught myself watching her for a beat before forcing my attention back to Alex. He was completely caught up in Jane, though.
Not for the first time, I noticed the constant, silent communication happening between them. When they sat down next to each other, their knees touched. They kept glancing at each other. Just all these small, automatic gestures. Alex passedher water before she asked. Jane adjusted his tie when it slid slightly crooked.
It was easy. Comfortable. A shared life.
Like I always thought things would be for Emma and me once we finally met in person.
Instead, it was Kate by my side when we sat down across from them. Kate buckling into the seat next to me, her gaze drifting over to mine like she was checking if I needed help.
The engines began their low, starting rumble, and the safety briefing droned through the cabin. I stared out the window, tracking the slow taxi across the runway, my stomach tightening with that familiar dread.
“Are you okay?” Kate murmured quietly, obviously clocking my discomfort at first glance.
“I hate flying,” I admitted under my breath, keeping my eyes forward. “Always have. Statistically, I know it’s irrational, but?—”
Her hand slipped into mine, a subtle, careful movement hidden between the armrests and the fold of her jacket draped across her lap. But her fingers curled around my palm and gave it a small, reassuring squeeze like it was the most natural thing in the world—and in that moment, I couldn’t deny that it felt like it really was.
CHAPTER 26
KATE
Jane barely made it through the car ride from the airport to the hotel. We were around the corner when she started turning a delicate shade of green that had me silently praying she didn’t redecorate the interior of our luxury SUV.
