Page 93 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

“I can’t. I’m afraid I’ll jinx us.”

“Taylor.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “You can’t jinx true love.”

“I know that in my head, but he hasn’t said it yet, either.”

“Then you’re both nuts, and I’m officially jealous.” Becca sits back. “You should have heard him raving about how you’re a natural at caving, how great you are with Dad, and how hard you’re working with him and Knox. All I heard was, I love your sister. I love your sister. I love your sister.”

My heart sings. “I love you, and I love hearing that. I have been working really hard, and I was happy to help Knox, but I’m glad Mila is going back to work for him next week. I’ve been so busy, I’m starting to dream in deadlines.”

“At least your dreams are on brand.”

I’m about to say that I’m starting to have other dreams, too—dreams about me and Seth—when the sound of a helicopter draws our attention, along with the attention of other customers and people outside on the sidewalk.

We look out the window as a helicopter flies over the university and descends toward the athletic field.

“Well, that’s not something you see every day,” Becca says. “Let’s go see what’s going on.” She’s on her feet before I can argue.

“I hope nobody’s hurt,” I say as we toss our trash and put on our coats, following a handful of other curious people out of the café.

“I wonder if it’s someone famous,” a woman beside us says.

“I hope so,” someone else responds.

As we cross the street, the rhythmic sound of the helicopter blades overrides the din of the crowd forming along the edge of the roped-off field. People are filming on their phones as the sleek black helicopter touches down.

Becca whips out her phone and starts filming.

“Zoom in. Can you see who it is?” I ask.

“Nope.” She pans the camera to me, and I wave. “Look at this crowd.”

She pans back to the helicopter as the blades slow to a stop, and the pilot’s door swings open. Squinting against the sun, I dig my sunglasses out of my bag and put them on as a tall figure steps out of the helicopter, his shoulders bent instinctively as he jogs away from it. When he straightens, his sunglasses catch the sunlight, and my heart stumbles.

Seth.

“What’s he doing here?” I ask with disbelief, watching his powerful legs eat up the distance between us.

Becca pans to me again. “I told you a good-looking guy was going to show up.”

I can do little more than try to remember how to breathe as Seth approaches, grinning from ear to ear, a black leather jacket stretched across his broad shoulders. He climbs over the rope. “Surprise, sweetheart.” He leans in for a kiss.

Aws and whoops ring out around us, and I realize all those phones are now pointing at us.

“What are you doing here?” I exclaim.

“Taking my girl on a very special trip. Thanks, Bec.”

“My pleasure,” she says.

Seth reaches for my hand. “Ready, sweets? Your ride is waiting.”

I look at Becca, floored, and she says, “Go, before I steal your billionaire boyfriend and his helicopter!”

“You wouldn’t dare!” I say.

“Oh, I absolutely would, little sister. Now get your gorgeous butt out of here.” She gives me a playful nudge.

Seth helps me step over the rope and drapes an arm over my shoulder as we head for the helicopter, cheers ringing out behind us. “Where are we going?”