“Okay. Want me to start?” I ask, and Collie nods.
I shouldn’t notice little details about her from here. Like how long her eyelashes are. And how tiny the sun-kissed freckles are across her cheeks, despite the winter season beginning.
I should look away. But I can’t. It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself to notice anything about another woman without feeling guilty about it.
“Would you rather burn to death in a fire or drown at the bottom of a frozen ice rink?”
Collie’s head swings in my direction, eyes bulging like saucers. “And you say I’m the morbid one,” she giggles.
I shrug. “First thing that came to mind.”
“I think I’ll go with the fire. Claustrophobia under an ice rink would take me out before drowning would.”
Both sound like a shitty way to go. “So, I’m guessing cold weather doesn’t bother you?”
“Nope.” She pops her ‘P’ for added effect. “I love the cold. My sister, on the other hand, would prefer to be buried in a bikini.”
“Sounds kinda hot.”
Collie barks out a laugh and nudges my side. “If only you could see her. She’s a goddess. Literal perfection. Boobs I’d pay good money for, too. But she’s taken.” Her eyes beam lasers at me.
I throw my hands up in surrender. “Not interested in the slightest.”
“Good. Now, my turn.” Without even knowing this woman, I can tell her questions will be much different than mine. I can practically feel her off-the-wall thoughts from where I’m seated. “Would you rather accidentally send a dick pic to your mom or your boss?”
“Straight for the jugular, huh?” This one hardly requires much thought. “My boss. He wouldn’t give a shit.”
“Okay, but what if you knew he would? Pretend he’s a stickler, and this could be the thing that costs you your job.”
“Then, I guess my mom. Although it would be weird as fuck since I’m a full-grown man now.”
Her laugh erupts around us, and I feel a bit of relief knowing our tactics to distract her are working. “My mother would have a conniption fit if she saw a picture of my vag. Literally would probably call the authorities on me. God, that would make my day.”
This time, Collie’s laugh feels forced. Disingenuous.
“Your mom a bit of a prude?”
“That’s a light term. Although, she’d do anything to see me married with ten kids to a millionaire who doesn’t love me. Don’t ask me to explain her distorted logic because I’m still trying to figure it out myself.”
“Sounds like a bitch.” I instantly regret my remark, rushing to apologize for commenting on someone’s life that I know nothing about. “I shouldn’t have said that?—”
“Oh my god. Thank you for noticing,” Collie groans, jumping in her seat for joy. “I love her, but damn that woman can be a mega bitch at times. Who am I kidding? Most of the time.”
Not one part of me understands what’s happening right now…
“Passengers, at this time we ask that you remain seated with your seat belts securely fastened as we begin our descent into Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As always, thank you for flying with us today,” the flight attendant broadcasts across the main cabin of the plane.
“We’re here,” Collie marvels. “Open the window, Easton. Let’s check out the views.” She nods for me to raise the shade, and my first instinct is to ask if she’s okay. But I think better of it because she’s distracted, and that was the goal.
“You got it,” I say. “Oh, by the way. What’s your email? I’ll send you over the itinerary, so you have an idea of the plans. I haven’t had much time to look it over myself. Didn’t want you to think I invited you here without somewhat of a schedule.”
If looks could kill, I’d be a dead man. “Not you too.” She must see the question in my eyes because I’m really fucking confused. “Jot this down in that email…screw the itinerary. Who needs them anyway? It’s so much more fun to just explore and see what happens.”
Well, technically, I didn’t create the itinerary, but Collie doesn’t need to know that. All of this is just as much a surprise for me as it is for her.
I honestly don’t know what else to say but, “Sure thing. Consider it gone.”
So much for having a fucking backbone, Easton.
