Nathan shoots him a warning scowl. “It’s not an easy lesson to learn.”
Desiree cups a hand around the side of her mouth, as if to hide her stage whisper. “He’s still learning.”
Nathan turns to narrow his eyes at her. “We all are.”
Vincent shakes his head at them before addressing me. “All that to say, we’re sorry you’re hurting. And we believe God will use it for good.”
Desiree gives a funky shoulder roll. “And there’s always Zumba.”
I smile my appreciation, though I’m not sure I’m ready for either Zumba or the faith to fly blind. I’m afraid both would leave me longing for more.
Nathan rubs his jaw. “Sorry about teasing you earlier. I didn’t know what you’d lost.”
I sniff in surprise at his word choice. It’s more accurate than I’d realized. I’ve been lost. But his mirth in the elevator helped distance me from the longing to return to my old life. Lightened the burden so I can move forward again. “It’s okay. You made me laugh.”
His lips slide up on one side, but his dark eyes remain as soft and sweet as melting chocolate.
Dinner arrives, looking more like artwork than a meal, and the cedar-plank salmon practically melts in my mouth.
The sunset lights up the sky in an unexpected shade of bright pink. Vincent waves it off as the result of air pollution, and since he’s paying for everything, we let him.
This sort of camaraderie with colleagues is seriously what I’d hoped for when heading off to flight-attendant training. It’s my best-case scenario. These moments are worth catering to first-class passengers with no class. Worth early shows and flight delays. Worth sharing a crash pad with nine roommates.
I’d like to think that what I get from this career will become so fulfilling that one day I’ll look back at my time as a professional dancer and not ache over how it was cut short. But at the moment, the sadness remains.
Chapter Eight
Nathan
What amazing magic iscarried inanairplane’s wings.
—CHARLESLINDBERGH
Idon’t want this night to end. We exit the restaurant onto the dark courtyard lit by patio lights. Distant crashing waves from the inky ocean create peace. A gentle breeze ripples Claire’s hair behind her, mermaid style. She might as well be a siren with the way even moonlight kisses her fair skin.
I know she’s taken. Not only that, but she turned down superstar Andrew James, so it’s ridiculous to think I’d ever have a chance anyway. Were that my goal.
Instead, I’m here to make her smile. Listen to her laugh. Encourage her to believe God has plans to prosper her, not to harm her—even as I struggle with believing that promise for my own future.
Despite being extremely satisfied by my bacon-wrapped sirloin, I use it as an excuse to extend our enjoyment. “I need to burn off a few of the calories I just consumed. Let’s walk along the cliff.”
Vincent chuckles. “You should have saved half of it in a doggy bag for tomorrow the way I did.”
I pat my overstuffed middle. “Don’t I know it.”
Desiree looks toward the black-and-white image of the moon’s reflection on water. “It is a gorgeous night.”’
“Yes, it is,” I agree. Though I’m still waiting for the one response that matters.
Claire studies the ocean too, inhaling a deep breath of salty air. “I’m going to pass. This is only the first day of our trip, and I’m already exhausted. Plus, I want to try calling my boyfriend again.”
I nod while pressing my lips together to keep from protesting. Why isn’t her boyfriend answering her calls?
“Understood, baby.” Desiree waves her away.
“Thanks again for dinner.”
Vincent crosses his arms, doggie bag hanging from one hand. “I usually wait for the last night of a trip to splurge, but it was good getting to know you better. Also, we had to celebrate Nathan here being tied with me for points in our landing game, since that’s not going to last.”
