Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“Wow,” I mutter under my breath as I sit comfortably in the wide seats. I retrieve my phone and then slip my bag easily under the seat in front of me. “This is nice.”
I try to act cool like I fly first class routinely. It really doesn’t matter because the other people on this part of the plane don’t pay any attention to me. After getting buckled and nestled into the seat, I slide my phone into airplane mode and pull up my Kindle app.
A cover depicting a beach and a hot guy with tight abs is awaiting me. I downloaded it last night in preparation for this moment. But instead of reading, I close my eyes and breathe.
The last few years stream through my consciousness like a farewell parade. I replay meeting Eton, dating him, the night we got engaged. None of my emotions are happy or nostalgic. The only thing I feel is a deep, deep relief.
I open my eyes as the line of passengers filing back to the main cabin thins.
“Welcome aboard Flight 1868 with service to Nassau. We are currently fourth in line for takeoff and are expected to be in the air in approximately eleven minutes. We ask that you please fasten your seat belts and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for takeoff. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing SkyBlue Airlines. Enjoy your flight.”
A lady across the aisle gives me a measured smile between a screaming child and a man dressed all in pink. She looks at me as if I’m one of her people. Suddenly, I’m out of my element, and I wish that I had someone with me. One of my people.
I consider texting Maddox but decide against it. Maybe this trip will help me get back to reality and stop toeing the line with him.
My attention goes back to a safer place—my Kindle app. Just as I’m about to focus on the words, a pair of jeans encasing muscled thighs comes into my peripheral view.
My throat constricts as my gaze slowly trails up the lean body dropping into the seat next to me.
Every cell in my body wobbles. Every hair on the back of my neck stands on end. Every muscle in my stomach clenches as I prepare myself for what I think is coming.
I skim up a pair of broad shoulders and a thick neck. And then to the best thing of all—to his gorgeous, chiseled face.
A megawatt grin splits his cheeks.
“Sorry I’m late. Sara gives shit instructions.”
ELEVEN
Maddox
She parts her lips like she’s going to laugh, but nothing comes out.
“This is the most speechless I’ve ever seen you,” I say, sliding my backpack under the seat in front of me.
“I …” She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “What are you doing here?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the crew, I ask that you please direct your attention to the monitors above as we review the emergency procedures …”
I lean toward her and whisper, “Right now, we have to listen to the emergency procedures.”
“Oh, screw that,” she says a little too loudly.
A lady across the aisle bends forward to see who just made the outburst.
Ashley makes a face and slinks down in her seat. Her sweater balls up around her neck, and I would laugh if I didn’t think she’d hit me.
“I apologize for her,” I tell the gawker. “She’s never flown before, and she’s scared out of her mind.”
Ashley smacks my arm.
“Oh.” The lady sits up and straightens her shirt. “I’m glad you’re here to comfort her.”
“Me too. It’s our honeymoon.”
Ashley smacks me again—harder this time. “I’m going to kill you,” she whispers.
It takes everything I have in me to keep a straight face.
“How lovely,” the woman says, touching her chest with her fingertips. She’s downright enchanted with the idea. “How long have you been together?”
“Since we were kids. We had a little spat, and she wanted to go explore the world. And I had to let her go.” My voice breaks, and I pause for dramatic effect. The woman is hanging on my every word. “I knew if she was meant to be mine, she’d come back to me. And she did. My little birdie came back to me.”
“Maddox Anthony Carmichael, you’re dead to me,” Ashley hisses. “What are you doing?”
The woman tries to peer over me at Ashley again but pulls her eyes right back to me. “I’ll let you get back to your wife. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
I twist in my seat to face Ashley. She looks at me slightly bewildered and ready to throw me out of the window.