Page 71 of The Flight Risk

“No, you do it because you’re in love with each other.” Lottie says it so matter-of-factly. I know she is part of the reason Tess stood out in the rain and confessed her love for me. Some guys would have felt emasculated or intimidated by a woman doing a grand gesture. Not me. My Tess is a force to be reckoned with. She has always shown that side of herself around me–making me love her even more.

“You’re right, Charlotte, I am in love with your Aunt Tess. But you want to know something, kiddo?”

“Kiddo? What are you, eighty?” She quirks an eyebrow up and adjusts the strap of her carry-on bag on her shoulder.

I ignore her little quip. “There’s another person I have grown to love, too. That’s you, Lottie.”

Tears form in Lottie’s eyes and she tries her hardest to not let my words of affection impact her too-cool-for-school attitude. I know how much she needs to hear those words because she’s human. Everyone needs to hear that someone loves them. But she’s been lacking these words from both her parents, especially her absentee father.

She sniffles, then barrels into my torso and wraps her arms around me. Tess is forced to let me go and I hug this sweet young girl back. “Thank you. I love you too, Uncle Adam.”

A wave of emotion courses through me. I squeeze her tighter, knowing how important this moment is. It confirms everything I’ve felt since the Lewis women barrelled into my life–that we’re a family.

Lottie releases her arms from around me and wipes away some rogue tears she clearly wasn’t planning on displaying in front of me or Tess. “Okay, I need to go. See y’all in the fall?”

Tess leans into my chest. “Yes, see you in the fall and have the best time in Paris! Send all the pictures and videos. I want to live vicariously through you.” Tess puts on that cute little pout of hers.

Lottie’s eyes dart back and forth between me and Tess and she smiles. “I have a feeling that you are going to be just fine, Aunt Tess. I promise I’ll bring back something for you both.” Before the waterworks start up again, Lottie quickly hugs both of us at once and turns toward the TSA agent. She waves at us and we wave in return.

Tess and I stand there, waiting until we can no longer see Lottie.

Tess wraps her arm around my bicep and rests her head on my arm. “She’s going to be okay, right?”

I kiss the top of her head and lace my fingers around hers. “Better than okay. Let’s go home.”

EPILOGUE

6 months later

“Okay, Aunt Tess, make a wish!” Lottie exclaims excitedly and leans on her forearms on the island counter.

As much as I love my birthday and initially wanted to do a big party, I’m glad I decided to celebrate with my favorite people at different times. I had brunch with Brooke over the weekend. I had dinner with Tara and Hunter, who she insists is going to propose soon, a couple nights ago. Lottie insisted that we celebrate with the original three roomies on my actual birthday if Oakley had the night off. Luckily, he did, though we can’t stay up too late since he does travel tomorrow for an away game in Chicago. Once his contract with the Storm was renewed, I felt like I could finally take a deep breath again. I’m so happy he decided to stay in Dallas, which he claimed was a no-brainer. He said that Dallas has become his home–that I’ve become his home–and there’s nowhere else he’d rather be.

I blow out my candles and Oakley and Lottie clap. “What did you wish for?” Lottie asks immediately.

I take the candles out and lick the frosting off each one. “I can’t tell you that, Lottie. Then my wish won’t come true.” I know the one thing I’m wishing for probably won’t happen for a while, and I’m trying to be patient. I can’t help but want things with Oakley to move forward in a big way. I may be new to this falling-in-love thing, but Oakley makes it easy.

“I think it’s time to open your gifts!” Lottie knocks her chair over when she jumps off it. Her eyes are crazed when she comes back with two gift bags, one from her and one from Oakley.

“Geez, Lottie, she hasn’t even had her dessert yet.” Oakley is slicing the cake that Brooke made me. I bite my bottom lip as I check out my boyfriend. His veiny forearms are like art and I’m unabashedly staring at him. We still try to hold back when we’re in front of Lottie with the PDA, but it’s my birthday and I feel like I have the right to ogle my boyfriend shamelessly.

I lean against his bicep and whisper, “We can always have dessert later.” My chin rests on his shoulder as I await his reaction.

He raises his eyebrows and clears his throat. He stops slicing the cake and licks some icing off his large fingers. “Whatever the birthday girl wants.”

It’s a shame that Lottie is in our presence because I’m not above getting on the counter and letting Oakley have his way with me. I resist the obvious temptation in front of me and settle for: “Good answer.”

“Okay, can you both stop being grossly in love for one second? Open my gift first!” Lottie shoves a small bag in front of me.

The tissue paper crumples as I move it aside. I pull out a box of macarons and a small jewelry box. “Lottie! Are these macarons from Paris?” Pippa rushes over and jumps in my lap, sniffing maniacally, hoping she can get a taste of what I assume are going to be the best macarons I’ve ever tasted. I hold the box away from my excited pup. “No! Pippa! These are all mine!”

Lottie nods. “Yep! They were my favorite and I asked Hunter to bring me back a fresh box when he was in Paris a couple weeks ago. Don’t tell Brooke though! I don’t want her to get offended.”

I chuckle, then mime zipping up my lips. “I won’t.” I palm the small suede box and open the lid. “Lottie, this is beautiful.” I gently lift the gold necklace out and inspect the pendant. It’s a small Eiffel tower.

Lottie shrugs. “It’s not much, but I know how much you love Paris. This way it’s always close to your heart.”

I immediately place the chain around my neck and try to find the clasp. “It’s perfect, Lottie! Thank you! I’m going to wear this every day!”