The people behind her step over her body to get ahead in line. Lacee finally jumps up, smiling guiltily at everyone around her. She holds up her water bottle like it’s a trophy she won in the Super Bowl. Then she stuffs the rest of her stuff inside her purse. She grabs the handle of her carry-on, awkwardly finding a spot back in line.
I laugh.
She’s not the type of person that keeps a low profile. But I kind of like that about her.
* * *
Sienna Prime
We’re taking a slight detour,via Seattle, Washington.
Park planting the computer chip on a complete stranger, losing track of it, and now following that stranger across the country was not part of the plan.
He was supposed to recover the microchip from the mall and then use the clues I left him to find where I hid the second microchip.
Those were the instructions given to me by Todd Allen.
That was the plan put in place.
But I like this turn of events. It’s like two levels deeper than the original plan, and it shows how good Park is at his job. The second he felt threatened, he pivoted and changed the course of the plan. The only thing he hasn’t accounted for isme.
NINE
LACEE
“Welcome aboard.”The flight attendant smiles at me as I enter the airplane.
“Thank you.” I glance down at my ticket, checking my row and seat number. They called my name at the ticket counter. I guess there was a last-minute change to my seat assignment. I patiently wait for everyone to get settled in front of me, then I maneuver my luggage to the back of the plane. I lift my bag, trying to get it in the overhead compartment, but my Hydro Flask gets stuck, and I can’t get my suitcase to fit inside.
“Let me help you.”
I look up at the man reaching over me, and my heart skips a beat as if it was just handed an Unoskipcard. It’s Parson Brown. He’s dressed in gray suit pants and a white button-up shirt. The top two buttons are undone, just adding to the whole confident-sexy aura he effortlessly exudes.
“It’s you.”
He situates my luggage into the bin, then looks down at me. His lips pull up in happy surprise. “Lacee, right? What are you doing here?”
“I’m on this flight to Seattle.” I gesture to my suitcase. “Obviously.”
“What a weird coincidence.” I’d be self-conscious about how he’s staring at me if it weren’t for the smile on his lips. “Do you live in Seattle?”
“No, I’m going to visit my family for Christmas.”
“Me, too.”
“Please take your seats.” A flight attendant pokes his head into our conversation. “The doors are about to close.”
“I’m on the aisle right here.” He taps the seat we’re standing by, which happens to be in my same row.
“I’m in the middle seat.”
“It’s crazy we’re sitting by each other.” He moves out of the way, letting me pass.
I pull my seatbelt over my waist and click it together. “I know.”
His hand reaches out to me. “I’m Park Bradshaw, by the way.”
“Not Parson Brown?” I smile, slipping my fingers into his. The warmth of his hand sends a swarm of butterflies swooping through my stomach, and suddenly, this is the sexiest handshake of my entire life. He lets go because that’s what you do after you greet each other—you let go. But I’m over here trying to figure out how to hold his hand the entire flight.
