Easton nods to the display sign. “Jackson Hole.”
Is he seriously offering me an extra ticket to Wyoming?
I squint my eyes, assuming I’m being punked.“You always carry around extra plane tickets with you?” I nod toward his lap.
“Nope. But today I did. I can’t promise you it’ll be fun, but it’s somewhere new. You seem like you could use it almost as much as me.”
You have no idea, Easton Voss.
Is it safe for me to seriously consider this? Probably not. Am I gonna do it anyway? Sure am. Because what do I have to lose? Essentially, he chose my next destination for me.
At least, that’s what I’ll tell my grandchildren one day when I recall this impulsive memory.
It’s very on brand for me.
“What’s the catch? You trying to get in my pants? Need a stand-in for something dreadful? On a mission to kidnap and kill a blonde with a dirty ass, slowly sinking her way to rock bottom?”
Something that looks almost like a smile crests his face, but he holds back. “No. Can’t say any of those things are in my plans.” He shakes his head. “I have an extra ticket, and I have a feeling we could both use the change of pace. I won’t bother you. Keeping to myself is not difficult. No expectations, just two people taking an opportunity to do something new. Trust me, that’s all I have the capacity for right now.”
Again, everything about this guy signals a warning up ahead. This could quite possibly be the worst mistake of my life. But I’m good with strangers. Hell, I met Romeo and Luca in Italy over the summer, and they’ve become some of my best friends.
Oddly enough, crashing and traveling with a stranger is not what scares me. I wouldn’t even call it being scared. More so, I’m cautious about what happens in my lifeafterthis trip.
The impending time away will be nothing but a distraction from what I know is to come back home. Reality.
I tick my lips, contemplating but also knowing full fucking well I’m going to Wyoming. “That’s fair. But I know nothing about Jackson Hole. I don’t have anywhere to stay and wouldn’t know the first thing about finding a place. I like to be spontaneous but typically prefer to at least know I’ll have a roof over my head,” I joke.
I would never want to assume he means we would be staying together. That’s being more presumptuous than even I’m comfortable with. But I’m always down for a new adventure.
“You can stay with me.”
My head rears back. “You’re serious? You don’t strike me as a guy who crashes with strangers.” I make no effort to hide my perusal of him. “But then again, the mangled tux doesn’t exactly instill confidence that I’ll be safe with you. For allyou know, I could be out for blood. Ready to unalive you at any second.”
“Are you always this morbid?”
I shrug. “Depends on the day.”
He shakes his head. “You couldunaliveme,” Easton agrees skeptically. “But I’ll take my chances.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll fill you in on my entire life story on the plane. You wanna see my license? You got it, but beware—I look pretty dang cute in my picture and wouldn’t want you falling in love with me or anything crazy like that.”
Easton’s brows shoot up. “Not likely.”
Ouch.But that’s okay. Easton’s hot. He could change his mind and decide I’m exactly the kind of woman he needs toresetwith. “Fair enough,” I tell him, shaking off his jab.
“And just a heads up—hope you’re okay with simplicity. This ain’t no fancy hotel with a continental breakfast.”
“Continental breakfast is hardly fancy, Easton. I’m adaptable, and I promise to be the easiest travel buddy.” I reach to shake his hand just as the flight attendant announces our gate’s flight details. “I’m in, Easton Voss, with the terribly destroyed tuxedo and suspicious sadness in his eyes.”
He exhales a dramatic huff. “What the fuck did I just get myself into?”
“You have no idea, big guy. Ooooo are we flying first class?” I squeal, swinging my head in the direction of the attendant. “I don’t care what anyone says, first class meals are the best.”
“Do I look like someone who flies first class?” he deadpans, not at all fazed by the swarm of people standing around us.
“Who’s to say you’re not prime royalty? Am I traveling with a nation’s most loved king?” I start to kneel at his feet, earning myself a tug at the roots of my hair.
“You’re insane,” Easton murmurs, directing me to stand.
