I’ve already forgotten the free-falling part, which was over quickly. Now I’m getting to enjoy this gliding motion, and it’s so freeing, it feels like flying.
The wind whips around us, but I barely register the sound. My adrenaline is pumping vigorously, coursing through my body, and all my senses are alive in all their glory.
The view is breathtaking… white, fluffy clouds, land, and the ocean. It’s hard to take it all in, so I’m trying to live in the moment and let this feeling of peace overtake me.
Billie gives me a thumbs up, asking if I’m okay, and I give him one back since we can’t talk to one another.
Seconds later, Jack and Oscar are right in front of us, and it’s the most exhilarating feeling.
We’re both smiling big goofy grins, and I can see it in his eyes, he loves this as much as I do.
He gives me a thumbs up, like Billie, and I give him one back to let him know I’m all good before we descend toward the ground.
This is a core memory I will always remember. Flying high at ten thousand feet in the air, with Jack by my side, living life to its absolute fullest.
“Wow, that was incredible,” I say in awe as I face Jack, who’s landed closeby. “I’m not even sure incredible is the right word. I even think that might have been worth dying for, after all.”
“You have a wicked sense of humor.” Billie laughs, and Jack gives him the death stare.
It looks like he hasn’t warmed up to him, so when we can stand, I run into Jack’s arms to give my man some love and attention.
“Thank you so much, Jack. I had the absolute best day. Do we have to go back to Paris now, or do we have time to eat somewhere?”
He laughs. “Hungry?”
“Starved, that worked up an appetite.”
“We have time to eat. And if you want, we can sleep over. I packed us a bag, and know some people around here who have an extra room.”
“Who?” I ask.
“You’ll see.” He smiles.
11
Jackson
“It was sogood to see you guys tonight. I’ve loved going down memory lane.” Belle sighs happily, leaning back against my chest while sipping her wine.
I squeeze my arms tightly around her, needing her close.
Everything seems right in the world with her here like this.
I don’t know what it is, because even though she’s still the same Belle as last week and the week before that, it feels different.
It feels…right.
And I love seeing her like this—carefree, wearing my Harvard sweatshirt and oversized sweatpants, free of makeup and any worries, while we sit here with some of my best friends in the world.
We met Seb, Nate, and Leo—my New York best friends who are more like brothers—for dinner near their rented chateau right outside Soulac-Sur-Mer and have come back for a nightcap around the fire.
Although I get to see them while traveling for work and vice versa, I haven’t spent quality time with them like this in forever, which reminds me to make more of an effort to do so because it’s me that’s avoided it.
They often invite me—and Sadie—out to their Hamptons houses or Nate’s Aspen ski house, and I’ve always had an excuse, which was nothing more than me trying to separate myself from New York.
“I still can’t believe the two of you are together.” Leo laughs, shaking his head. “Wait until Mason gets wind of it.” He says about one of our other friends.
I narrow my eyes, confused. “Why the hell would Mason care?”
