“Don’t even play around like that. I don’t find it funny one bit, Annabelle,” he grits out, grabbing my hand with force, pulling me toward the helicopter.
I hate to say it, but I’m starting to like this jealous side of his.
I look out the helicopter window, then back to Jack, then back to the window. I’m on such a high right now, and it’s all because of the man sitting next to me. “Holy crap, Jack!” I cry through our headsets. “Where are we right now? It’s beautiful down there.” I grin like a fool, so full of happiness I could explode.
His dimples pop, and his infectious grin has me smiling even wider. “We’re landing soon, right near Soulac-Sur-Mer.” He points down toward something resembling a town.
“Is part two of this date better than this? I don’t know how you’re going to top it, because I’ve always wanted to ride in a helicopter.”
He gives me a look. “Again—I know.”
I laugh at my own enthusiasm, knowing I’m acting ridiculous, but I couldn’t care less.
It’s a unique and special feeling when you cross items off a bucket list you’ve had since childhood. In a way, it feels magical, like you’ve made life that much more remarkable.
Jack takes my hand that’s intertwined in his and kisses my wrist, palm, and fingertips. “I hope you think part two is better or equal, because I never want to see that smile disappear. Knowing I played even a small part in making it happen makes it all worth it.”
I roll my lips, trying not to get emotional. How does he always manage to say what hits just right?
“You didn’t play a small part, Jack. You’ve starred in making all my dreams come true.”
The warmth of his gaze echoes in my heart when he kisses my wrist again.
After getting lost in his emerald depths, he breaks our daze by leaning in and cupping my cheek. “Belle, I—” He pauses, and I see him struggling with his words.
I did that to us, I put up a roadblock, and now he’s afraid to cross it.
“You what?” I ask eagerly, hoping the sound of my voice gives him the strength to continue.
I’m almost positive he wants to tell me he loves me. I can see it written all over his face, and I would say it back in a heartbeat.
Am I still scared? Yes.
A part of me is petrified that when we go back to London, this will all fall apart like we’re living in some French love bubble. But even if that were true and it doesn’t work out between us in the long run… will I be broken? Same answer, yes.
Will I still love Jack with all my heart? Like I have most of my life? Without a doubt in my mind.
He gulps down his words.He’ll say it when he’s ready, I think, as he leans in to kiss me hard against my lips. I try to deepen it, but he pulls back too quickly. “Look, we’re landing.” He points out the window.
I breathe a long sigh of contentment, trying to remember the last time I felt this way. I’m not sure I ever have. It’s a new feeling for me, one of equal parts euphoria, contentment, and gratitude. A feeling I hope is a new constant for me.
“Is that the Atlantic Ocean?” I ask, sticking out my neck as far as possible to see down.
“Yeah, and that’s the Gironde, right there—” He points to a small river. “It’s the river that passes through Bordeaux.”
“This is spectacular,” I whisper.
We’re about to land, and Jack instinctually grips my hand tighter like always, remembering I hate take-off and landing.
“Thank you,” I tell him as we walk to the waiting car to bring us to the next part of the date. “You didn’t have to do more than the helicopter. Hell, you didn’t even need to do the helicopter. It was amazing, but I’d be just as happy sitting in the room, having tea, and watching a serial killer documentary with you. Whatever time I spend with you makes me happy.”
He raises one sarcastic brow while he puts me in the car, leaning over to buckle my seatbelt—which I try with all my might not to roll my eyes at.
“So you’re saying you would rather watch a show on Jeffrey Dahmer than go on a helicopter ride over France?”
“Well, when you say it like that, it sounds a little crazy.” I laugh.
He shakes his head and gets into the car on the other side. “It doesn’tsoundcrazy. It is crazy. I think I have to ban those shows until we get home. You’re starting to freak me out.”
