I throw my hand on my hip. “What?”
“I’m not quite sure.” Piper chews on the side of her lip for a minute before continuing. “I mean, that’s just not something you’d do unless you’re either interested in someone or feel extremely comfortable with them.”
I open my mouth to speak, but I see the crew bus arrive right at that moment. Piper and I head out the double doors and hop in. We take the seats closest to the door, rolling our luggage between our legs. She turns to me and continues, “Do you know what I mean?”
I nod. I know exactly what she means, but it isn’t like that with him. According to Piper, he’s extremely comfortable with me, or like Mason said himself, I’m just his best friend’s sister, and that’s the reason behind him showing up that night.
Maybe he’s always felt some kind of obligation to me? Honestly, who knows what goes on in his head. Or mine, for that matter. I never in a million years would have thought that we’d end up sleeping together, but we did.
By the time Piper and I get to the hotel, we’re both starving and exhausted. After checking in with the front desk, we decide to grab some dinner at the hotel restaurant. We’ve stayed at this hotel multiple times before during layovers, and the food at this restaurant is really good.
“Do you remember those incredible martinis that we had the last time we were here?” she asks, taking a seat at the table across from me.
“I do. But no drinking for me tonight. I have to check in at 7:05,” I say, scanning the menu.
“Bummer. Mine is at 11:45, so I’m going to try to hit the gym here at the hotel before heading in.” Piper lowers her menu, flashing me a weird look.
“What now?”
“Speaking of acting weird, did you see how awkward it was between Lina and her dad’s friend last week in Toronto?” Piper keeps her voice low like she’s sharing a piece of scandalous information with me.
I draw my head back. “Carter, right? The other pilot that was on our flight crew?”
Piper drops her menu on the table and licks her lips. “Yes. Something is definitely going on with them.”
The moment I hear her words, water projectiles out of my mouth. I laugh uncontrollably at both her comment and her face now sprinkled with a mix of water and spit.
“Ew gross, Bailey!” she complains, then wipes her face with a cloth napkin.
I cover my mouth, even though it’s too late, and the damage has already been done. “Sorry!” I purse my lips together, trying to hold in the laughter that continues to bubble inside of me. “That is her dad’s best friend, and he’s a lot older than her, isn’t he?”
Piper’s eyes grow wide. “Yes, he is. But haven’t you noticed every time we’re all on the same flight together, they act differently? Maybe even flirtatious. And he’s not that old. He’s like forty, isn’t he?”
“Maybe. I think so.”
“He is hot though, B. And Lina is like this sexy, tall, blonde bombshell. It would make sense why he’d be into her,” she adds.
I scratch my head at the nature of this entire conversation. “I feel like you lose all credibility because you think older Jim Carrey is hot.” I laugh.
“He is! Jim aged very well. Admit it.”
“Okay fine. Time has been good to him, but still, my point remains,” I say.
We spend the rest of dinner talking about Luca, work gossip, and the complicated relationship she has with her mother.
Later that night, when I’m in my room getting ready for bed, I wonder what Mason’s doing at this moment. Should I text him? I plop down on one of the two queen-sized beds in the room. I’m lying on my stomach, letting my feet dangle off the side when I sayfuck itand reach over to grab my phone from the top of the nightstand.
Me: Do you remember that night back in college when you made me leave a frat party early?
My hands are sweating. Why would I think that is something he’d remember? It was only one time and so long ago. He’s probably going to think I’m stupid for even remembering it myself.
Mason: I do.
He remembers it. Which again, makes me feel all sorts of confused things. Like the fact that I’m pissed that he’s such an asshole but that he’s also warm and kind at the same time.
Mason: Are you thinking about that night right now?
Okay, so do I tell him the truth, or do I lie to save my pride?
