She’s laughing. Hysterically, and uncontrollably laughing.
“Oh, this is great…just great. I’m so pathetic, it’s comical.”
“I was just trying to help. But you know, you really shouldn’t talk about yourself like th—” I’m stopped short as I turn to face her. And I know right away that was a bad move. Because fuck, she’s stunning. Our distance before did her beauty no justice. Bright blonde hair that reaches just aboveher shoulders in messy waves. She’s even got these mini white flowers somehow woven into the small braids by the front of her face. Her eyes are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Baby blue with hues of pearl and iridescent throughout. They’re so fucking bright.
Immediately wanting to rewind time, I avert my eyes, finding the nearest object to fixate on and repeat myself. “You shouldn’t talk about yourself like that. You might just become it someday.”
She huffs. “Comforting. Thanks.” A long pause passes between us, me waiting for her to make her phone call so I can be on my way. “I’m sorry. I’ve had a really shitty day, and it seems to only be getting shittier,” she tells me honestly.
Well, I wasn’t expecting that.
“Worse than your phone dying? Sounds tragic.”
Her full laugh catches me off guard. “How does getting fired sound? And falling into a massive puddle of mud? And my flight getting canceled? I can keep going if you’d like.”
“Shit,” I sigh. “Yeah, that beats it. Sorry.” I know there’s nothing I can say to make her feel better, because, well, that is pretty shitty.
I shake my head sympathetically. “Look, I wasn’t trying to be weird or creepy. Just thought I could help. My flight boards in”—I check my watch—“fifty-five minutes. Hopefully that gives you enough time to make those phone calls.”
“You sure?”
I nod and decide to give her some space. I stand with my hands in my pockets and peer down at her seated frame. “I’ll be right over there.” I point to the chair I just vacated. “Take your time.”
Bright white teeth smile up at me. “Thanks.”
I change my mind. Not a bad decision at all.
5
COLLIE
And to thinkI almost lost hope in all humanity today.
Maybe things can only go up from here?
The surprisingly hot stranger just gave me the smallest sliver of joy. Joy that if you had asked me an hour ago, I would have told you to fuck off and pick on someone your own size.
I’d like to think I’m naturally a happy person. But today, I wanted to break something. Launch the nearest sharp object across the entire terminal and riot. Still do, actually, but small victories.
Seeing as how I’m currently stuck in Nashville, Tennessee, without a return flight home and a dead cell phone, I would be stupid to refuse any kind of help.
I hovered by the gate for my original flight, hoping there’d be some type of misunderstanding—but nothing. Call it wishful thinking. Now, I’m two espresso martinis deep, throw a dead cell phone battery into the mix, and I have no clue where to go from here.
Lucky for me, I’m a short distance away from the planeleaving for…I lift my head to read the display monitor, telling me where the hot stranger is heading.
JAC.Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
He must be an outdoorsy guy. Never have I ever heard of anyone traveling to Wyoming without a cowboy hat in tow or some bait for fly fishing. Not that I know anyone who frequents Wyoming, but I’m just making an educated guess.
And besides, men don’t look like that in Timber Heights, South Carolina.
And I don’t mean the disheveled tuxedo.
His hands are massive, like they work on really hard things. Important things. Only strong hands ever work on things of significant importance. I bet he can swing an axe real good, too.
Hanging out of earshot, I dial Capri’s number, hoping she answers.
“Hello?”
