I can’t help teasing. “Who are you talking about, then? Vincent and me?”
Light laughter fills the darkness between us. “I hate to break it to you, but I’m pretty sure Vincent is in love with a flight attendant.”
Joy balloons in my chest like the parachute needed to make this jump. “He’s not the only one.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Claire
When people would askwhether Icould fly...
I always said, ‘Yes, for a little while.’
—MICHAELJORDAN
The engines might as well have shut off with Nathan’s words. The cockpit goes still, our relationship status suspended in midair.
Could Nathan be talking about me? Desiree clarified earlier that he’s never had feelings for Angel, which makes me see all our interactions differently. If he’d skipped church to avoid someone, it might have been me. If he wasn’t interested in getting back with Joey and okay with closure, could it be because he’s more interested in me?
I hadn’t realized how badly I wanted this. And the fear of disappointment has made me cautious upon entry. I’m afraid to believe I’m the flight attendant he’s in love with, in case I’m not.
But if he is in love with me, he’s my Half Dome. He’s my better thing.
My stomach tickles from imaginary turbulence.
Wait. All this time he’d been encouraging me to create a healthy relationship with Wyatt. Why would he do that if he’s in love with me?
Besides the cupcake, he’s never gone out of his way to connect. He’s simply been here.
“You said you were praying for me and Wyatt.” Did I say that out loud?Now he’d know my assumption. Hopefully, we can laugh it off when he reveals it to be false.
“I wanted the best for you,” he states simply. Significantly. “Even if it’s not me.”
His words create a storm of emotions. Clouds obstruct my clarity, and a bolt of lightning sends my internal instruments haywire.
“Nathan,” I breathe. “You ...” It’s all I can get out before my throat closes.
“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same.”
Another sacrifice. He’s willing to tell me he loves me without expecting anything in return. He simply waited here for me to be in a healthy place to join him.
“I know you’re getting out of a relationship, and I probably should have waited until next year.” He glances at his watch, still playful even as he opens himself up for possible rejection.
I love him more for it.
The interphone chimes. Already?
Except it isn’t only Desiree’s voice on the line. Vincent’s deeper tone joins her in announcing, “Ten ...”
Nathan and I don’t have much time left in the cockpit. It’s a literal countdown.
He winces. “I just—”
“Nine ...” The passengers joined the chant.
I’ll let him off the hook. “You were affected by the romance of the stars.”
“Eight ...”
