I wait for his smile to diminish when he realizes it’s me instead of Angel. But it grows. This gives me the confidence to gush.
“Wanna go to Hawaii?” He’s fun to gush around because he always plays off my energy.
He shrugs in faux nonchalance. “If I have to.”
I laugh in delight. “I hope you brought your swimming trunks. I don’t want to be the only one on the beach blinding islanders with my white legs.”
Nathan pauses and shoves his hands into his pockets. “You’re alone? I assumed Wyatt would be coming with you.”
Oh, I haven’t told him about the breakup. Last time we talked, he’d supported my relationship and offered to pray for the outcome. He must have expected God to answer with a happily ever after. Though God was actually protecting me from the opposite of that.
I tilt my head. “Wyatt and I broke up right before you flew on my flight in November.”
His eyes snap to mine. He studies me. “You didn’t tell me. You okay?”
“Yeah. I was still processing at that time.” I twist my lips in recollection. “I’d wanted my relationship with Wyatt to be something it wasn’t. I think I’d already mourned the dream before I finally let it go. And strangely, it turns out I missed Seattle more than I ever missed San Francisco.”
“Hmm ...” He still looks way too serious for a trip to Hawaii.
“Stop staring at me like a psychologist. I’m fine.” I give his chest a playful push with my fingertips as I pass to stow my luggage, though I walk backward and drag it down the aisle to continue our conversation. “What about you and Joey?”
He scratches his jaw and holds a hand wide, as if he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. “We had closure.”
Hmph. Was that what he’d been trying to tell me when I’d been crying over Wyatt? Could he possibly be single now? I’m afraid to ask, so I say, “And you’re okay with me replacing Angel?”
“I suppose.” Nathan follows with his suitcase. “Since we’re not going to Colorado Springs, I won’t have to carry you up the Manitou Incline again.”
“Hey.” My eyes widen in my best indignant expression. Though the idea makes my breath hitch in my chest. “You didn’t even offer.” The fact that he’s teasing must mean he’s not missing Angel too much.
“Yeah, well ...” He hoists his suitcase into the overhead bin, then reaches to do the same with mine. “Don’t expect a piggyback ride up Haleakala either.”
If only. Though I’d been to the volcano to watch the sunrise on my senior class trip, and there’s no hiking involved. You can actually take a shuttle to the top, then rent bicycles to ride down. “What about a race down on bikes?”
When he looks at me again, we’re closer than I’d realized. Just like we had been on our last flight. And it feels even more intimate.
I study the smile lines around his eyes. Are wrinkles supposed to knock the wind out of a person?
After an unexpected stare down, Nathan relents. “Loser buys shaved ice.”
“If you’re offering.” I curl all my toes except the one locked in place, hoping he’ll offer so much more.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Nathan
WasIinthat strange class ofmenwhohave plumbed thepossibilities ofdanger intheair—who have mastered tothelimits thepowers ofaeroplanes?
—EDWARDRICKENBACKER
I’d decided to work this holiday to avoid the pressure of finding the perfect woman to kiss at midnight. The problem is that I’d already found her, and not only did I think she still had a boyfriend, but she kept trying to set me up with her roommate.
Now Claire’s here and making bets about bike races and shaved ice. There’s so much more I want to offer her. The thought throbs in my chest.
I wait until after takeoff to seek guidance from Vincent. Normally I would relax as we chase an orange sunset across the sea, but this evening my body remains taut in anticipation.
Vincent didn’t react in surprise to Claire’s appearance. How much does the man know? “Did you know Claire and her boyfriend broke up?” I question through our headsets.
Vincent smiles at the horizon. “Angel told Desiree at church, and Desiree suggested she give Claire this trip.”
