She nodded, then pointed to the open window in the row in front of them. “Besides, I think we’re going to be landing soon.”
As soon as she said that, the pilot came on over the speakers and announced their final descent into Orlando, asking all passengers to return to their seats and informing them that the seat-belt sign was on and the flight attendants were going to make a final sweep of the cabin.
Julien faced forward, his spine pushing firmly into the back of his chair. He tried to piece out the last few moments, but all he was left with was a sense of confusion. His lack of experience with women wasn’t doing him any favors at the moment. Somewhere along the line of his trip down memory lane with Martha, he must have upset her. But when? And why? For him, that day had left a taste of sweet nostalgia on his lips. Was it not the same for her?
He glanced over at her. She was leaning her body away from him, supporting her opposite elbow on the armrest near the window, her gaze straight ahead. He thought about broaching the subject and simply asking her what was wrong, but after a second of consideration, he thought better of it.
He should just let it go. Things were probably better this way. At least for now. All the reasons why he needed to ignore the chemistry he felt for her and keep his priorities firmly in place were still present. His dad’s very life could be at stake if he lost focus now, and what could be a better reason than that? Besides, in less than a month, their contract would befulfilled. He could wait until things in his professional life were settled.
However, this flight had made him realize a thing or two. One, he had a bit less self-control than he liked or cared to admit when it came to resisting Martha. Two, it didn’t seem like she had the same affliction.
13
“So, glad to be back on solid ground?” Julien teased once he and Martha had disembarked the plane and were headed toward baggage claim. He wanted to go back to the easy comradery they’d had before he’d somehow managed to make things tense between them.
Martha stepped around a mother and stroller stopped in the middle of the walkway. The baby was crying as the mother searched her diaper bag for an object to soothe her child.
“I’m attempting to wipe the memory from my database, thank you very much. If you would kindly cease to bring up any such references to recent air travel, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Julien reached out and took ahold of her elbow just in time to steer her around a man plowing forward with his head buried in his phone. “I guess that means now isn’t a good time to remind you that we get the privilege of flying again in less than a week?”
“Bite your tongue.”
He bit the inside of his cheek instead to keep himself from laughing out loud. Tension drained from his shoulders. Whatever he’d done to upset her, she’d obviously forgiven him if she was back to throwing her quick wit in his face.
“Was it really that bad?”
Her head whipped up so she could glare at him, but then her expression softened. “No, I guess not.”
After dodging yet more human obstacles, they finally arrived at baggage claim and collected their suitcases. There wasn’t much of a line at the car rental center, and Tomiko had made a reservation well in advance, so all Julien had to do was sign some paperwork and collect the keys.
The automatic doors to the outside opened as soon as they neared. A wave of heat and humidity greeted them like a wet blanket.
“Wow,” Martha said as soon as they stepped out onto the curb. Perspiration was already starting to dot her hairline.
“First time in Florida?” It wasn’t his, so he should’ve been prepared for the thickness of the air the tropical climate seemed to produce no matter what time of year it was.
“Yeah. And, I mean, I checked the weather app before I packed so I knew it was going to be in the eighties all week, but this?” She used the back of her hand to wipe her forehead. “Tennessee is hot and humid in the summer so I should be used to this, but obviously I’m not.”
“Florida weather is its own kind of special.” He grabbed her luggage in his free hand and started walking toward the rows of rental cars. “It won’t be so bad once we get closer to the ocean. The coastal breeze makes a big difference.”
He found the Audi A7 in the numbered space and clicked on the key fob to unlock the doors and pop the back. Martha climbed into the passenger seat while he secured their luggage in the trunk area. As soon as he started the engine, he reached over and adjusted the vents to blow toward Martha and turned the AC on.
“Thank you.” She leaned forward to put her flushed face directly in front of one of the vents. “I feel like I just experienced a sauna while fully clothed. Do not recommend.”
Julien chuckled, then held up his phone. “Okay, serious question now. Hotel or food first?”
She reached over her shoulder and grabbed the seat belt, pulling it across her body and clicking it in place. “If I answer this question, then you have to answer the next one.”
“Sounds fair.”
She grinned, and he suddenly felt like he’d fallen into a trap.
“Great. I’m starving, so let’s stop and get some food on the way to the hotel. Now the question you get to answer. Where are we going to eat?”
“You tricked me.” He fake pouted.
Her grin widened.
