I’m not sure whether she’s talking about the trip or…something else. But either way I say, “Thanks. You too. Don’t get too experienced while I’m gone.”
I lean back, smiling smugly with a suggestive raised brow. She grins back.Since when did we get so adult?
I shield my eyes from the light and step outside. As my sight adjusts, Jasper comes into focus. He’s leaning against his car, looking too cool and carefree in a pair of sunglasses, a fitted black tee, and a pair of cargo pants. When he sees me his face lights up and I almost have to shield my eyes again.
“You ready?” he asks, taking a few steps toward me.
I glance back at the doorway where Mom and Katie are waiting. Katie shoots me a wave and Mom—is she wiping away a tear? It’s not like I’m leaving for good.
“You take good care of him,” Mom shouts to Jasper.
He salutes her with two fingers. “You have my word.”
“Don’t have too much fun,” Katie says.
Jasper reaches out to take my bag, his fingers grazing mine as they linger on the handle.
“Hey,” he says, smiling.
I bite my lip. “Hi.”
“All set?”
One more breath to settle my racing heart, then I say, “Yep. Let’s go.”
He takes my bag and moves to the back of the car, opening the trunk and placing it inside, before continuing to the driver’s side. At the car I pull the door handle and take one last look back at the house. Mom and Katie both wave this time, and I wave back before opening the door and jumping in.
On our way to the airport I watch the traffic around us and can’t help noticing a pair of black SUVs that seem to be heading the same way as us.
“Is that…?” I ask, nodding toward what looks like an armored car in front of us.
“Security,” Jasper says. “They’ve been with me since before I arrived at yours. They’ll be tailing us until we arrive at the house.” He reaches over and places a hand on my knee. “We’ll be safe.”
I shoot him a reassuring smile, grateful that he cares so much and a little thankful to have the extra protection. But part of me is also a little put off. This is supposed to be our first big trip away by ourselves. Are we going to be sharing our holiday with a fist of beefy security guards? What are they going to do? Come hiking with us? Swim in the pool? (I’m assuming there’s a pool.) Sit one table away if we go out to eat?
A small but sharp pain slices behind my eyes, making me rub my temple.
“Still hurts?” Jasper asks.
I grimace and nod.
“Not long and we’ll be the only wolves for miles.”
Except them, I think, glaring at the SUV up ahead.
As we pull up outside the terminal at JFK I notice a woman in a business suit waiting by the doors. Jasper stops the car and jumps out without even switching off the engine.
“Madeline!” he says, his tone rich with familiarity.
“A pleasure as always, Jasper,” the lady in the expensive-looking blazer says, tipping her head to greet us. “You’ve nearly racked up enough frequent-flier miles to buy the airline.”
“Almost,” Jasper croons. He shakes Madeline’s hand and she glances over her shoulder. “And this must be Max.”
“Yeah, hi!” I step forward to shake her hand also.
“A pleasure,” she says. “And welcome, it’s an honor to have you flying with us today.”
“Uh, pleasure’s all mine,” I stammer.
