AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lithe fingers curl around my wrist, urging me to let go of the armrest.
I open my eyes. I find Paige sitting beside me, gazing at me. Without a word, she lightly tugs on my hand.
I release my grip, allowing her to draw my hand toward her. She entwines our fingers together and softly rests our hands in her lap.
The plane rises off the earth. My stomach jolts and I squeeze her fingers; an instant comfort. She squeezes me harder, silently taking any pain that comes with it, as the plane steadily enters the clouds.
I gaze at her, fully embraced by the tender distraction. Warm. Loving. Completely devoid of the coldness we’ve felt for each other over the last few days.
Paige offers a friendly smile. It doesn’t last long; a simple, brief act of kindness, but it fires through me and settles in my chest.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
My nerves exhale along with it. The fear remains deep inside of me, but it’s muted. Powerless. Completely faded in the wake of her.
Finally, the plane levels out in the sky, but we don’t let go. We linger in silence together, barely blinking as the moment extends for... as long as it has to.
I slowly unravel our fingers. Before letting go, Paige glides her thumb along the back of my hand. Warm. Loving.
I don’t say a word. She doesn’t say a word, either.
But something has changed.
One of us stops fighting.
And everything magically falls into place.
CHAPTER 31
PAIGE
Welcome to Miami.
I always look forward to a trip to Miami. Adorable palm trees. Radiant beaches. Stunning sunsets and sunrises. The Botsford Plaza sits a mere mile from the coastline, offering some breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean — especially if you can nab a coveted room on one of the top floors which, as party to the Company Liaison, I do every time.
However, this trip down south feels a little... bittersweet.
When Oliver and I finally arrive at the Plaza, it’s close to midnight. We check in with the late-night staff, barely muttering a word to one another... though, I fear that’s my fault this time. Did I embarrass him by holding his hand? Did it comfort him, as I intended it to? Unfortunately, he never said a word to me after that, either.
How about we just...
leave it be?
All right?
I guess we are.
We make our way toward the lobby’s golden elevators. I tap the call button and wait, more than a little aware of Oliver’s shadow lingering over my shoulder in the reflection. I wish he’d just say it. Tell me off. Tell me to stay away from him and mind my business. Hurt me if he wants. Anything would be better than this silence.
The elevator arrives, open and empty. I almost expect him to wait for the next one, but he steps on with me and taps the button to the second floor while I hit 21. No way I’m missing a good Miami sunrise.
This might be my last chance to see it for a while.
The elevator doors close and the car begins its ascent upward.
Oliver steps forward and presses STOP.
