Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
I waited until he was deeply asleep before I rose and once again looked out from the balcony, double-checked the locks on the door, and reexamined the entire villa.
In the early hours of the morning, Carter called to let me know someone would be there to get us in an hour.
When we stepped onto Miles’s private plane, Laurie’s eyes went wide. “I’ve never seen a private plane except in the movies and this is…Wow.”
“It’s top of the line. Come on. Let’s take our seats. We want to get off the ground as fast as we can.”
He marveled at the cushy chair positioned next to another in front of a table like we were in a restaurant rather than on a commercial airline.
“Is this how you fly all the time?”
I smiled. “I occasionally fly commercial.”
“First class of course.”
“Yes.”
“I’d never imagined being in first class until Beck got me the ticket to Aruba. I felt so weird up there. I didn’t know what to do. I’m not used to somebody being willing to just bring me whatever I want.”
“I want you to be used to it, because I want to do that for you.”
“Worth—”
“Put on your seat belt.”
A few moments later, Clara, the flight attendant, checked to make sure we were ready for takeoff. She offered us drinks, and I asked for champagne. When I turned to Laurie, he looked pale.
“I…um….”
“Maybe some ginger ale or a coke?” Clara asked.
“Ginger ale would be nice.”
“I’ll be right back with that for you, sir. We’ll be in the air in a few minutes.”
Two security guards were on the plane with us, but they were seated up front with the crew to give us privacy. I turned to look at Laurie when Clara walked away. “What’s wrong?”
He exhaled. “I’m not very good at flying.”
“Oh, Princess, why didn’t you tell me before?”
“What were we going to do? Drive home from Aruba?”
“No, but if I’d known I would’ve done anything I could to make you more comfortable.”
“I’ll be all right once we’re actually in the air.”
I frowned, wanting to make him comfortable. “At least I can hold your hand.”
That made him smile. “Thanks.”
“I can also distract you.”
“I’m not sure that would be appropriate. Aren’t we supposed to keep our seat belts on?”
“I can distract you by telling you what I would do if we weren’t supposed to keep our seat belts on.”
Laurie rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t quite this bad when I flew to Aruba, but…everything was so new.”
“Wait a minute. Was it your first time in first class or on an airplane at all?”
His cheeks reddened. “I…um…I’d never flown before.”
“Do you mean that on your first ever flight, you flew all the way from St. Louis to Aruba?”
“I didn’t really have any choice.”
“And you were by yourself.” If I’d known, I would have flown to St. Louis so I could sit beside him.
“I watched some YouTube videos so I’d know what to do and what to expect.”
“And now that you know what to expect, it’s worse?”
“Kind of, but also because I feel sick every time I think about Beck.”
I nodded. There was no news when I’d checked with Carter as we’d gotten ready, but I knew he would’ve called if they found Beck or knew anything concrete.
“How long is the flight to New York?” Laurie asked.
“Six to six and a half hours.”
Laurie frowned. “All that time and we won’t know what’s going on?”
“We have Wi-Fi. We’ll still get updates.”
“This all just seems like a dream, and I keep thinking I’m going to wake up.”
“Lying next to me in our sunny bed in Aruba? We’ll return eventually. You’re still owed some time in paradise.”
Laurie frowned. “That is definitely not necessary.”
“I love Aruba, and I was counting on that time with you. I want to be there with you.”
He looked away and didn’t say anything else I reached for his hand. “Laurie?”
“I just…I can’t talk about this right now.”
“All right.” Now wasn’t the time to push. He was with me, and he was going to stay with me once we were back home. We’d figure it out from there.
“What I actually meant was that I’m afraid I’ll wake up in St. Louis with Tommy.”
“No. This is all real. You never have to go back there. You’re my princess and I’m taking you to my castle.”
“Worth….”
“We don’t have to talk about details right now. Do you want something to help you sleep?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to be groggy when we get there.”
“What would help you?”
“I think if I put on my headphones and kind of zone out that would be best, but I still want you right here holding my hand.”
“Of course.”
When the plane began to make its way down the runway, he squeezed my hand tight as he reclined against the seat and closed his eyes.
“Everything’s going to be fine,” I told him and prayed I was right.