Page 78 of The Golden Scoop

I roll my eyes. “Next time I want to join the mile high club, I’ll be sure to ask if I can borrow your private jet,” I deadpan.

“Ouch,” he says, with feigned offense.

Lauren, flying with us again today after getting stranded yesterday, closes the door. She walks over with a smile practiced to perfection.

“We’re going to be taking off soon. Would you like anything before we do?”

“I’m okay. Thank you,” I tell her. I’m still stuffed from inhaling four pancakes earlier.

“Actually, could I have a pack of Chocolate Delight Cookies?” Matt asks.

I love those cookies. I never say no to Chocolate Delight. Ever.

I turn to him, and he’s already looking at me, a knowing smirk taking over his face. Lauren’s already on the move and I’m too embarrassed to ask for my own.

“Since when do they have those on a plane?”

“Since I special ordered them,” he replies, clearly pleased with himself.

I wish that didn’t do anything to me. It does. Enough to bring right back the butterflies that woke up in my stomach when I kissed him.

She comes back with a family pack. Matt opens it and grabs one for himself, his eyes never leaving mine as he takes the first bite. He groans, teasing me to no end.

“Aren’t they your favorite?”

I give him a small nod and pucker up. Matt laughs and hands me one.

This feels like more than just a snack. I’m being seen, paid attention to. As I munch on the cookie, I realize how ridiculous it is. He’s been noticing all these things about me for years and I had no clue. But now, I feel at ease with Matt in a way that keeps lowering my guard, piece by piece.

It’s unfamiliar, still a little dangerous, how I no longer have that need to brace myself around him. Maybe, just maybe, he can actually be the one doing the protecting. But thinking like this has only gotten me hurt in the past.

The plane takes off, and as soon as we’re airborne, Matt leans his phone against his water bottle. Out of his bag, he pulls a pair of old school earphones with the dongle already attached to them.

Friends starts playing over the speakers before he plugs them in.

My all-time comfort show. I’d bet my life that he knows it as well.

Without looking up, he taps the seat next to him. I try to act cool, but I almost hurl myself over the table. I curl up beside him and take the earphone he’s offering.

“Did you also pack these on purpose? You know, forced proximity and all?” I tease.

“It worked, didn’t it?” He snorts. “Truth is I’ve gone through three different wireless pairs, and I can’t seem to keep them.”

“Alright, Matthew,” I joke. “We’ll go with that.”

We’re in the middle of Rachel and Ross’s break when I fall asleep, my head against his arm. It’s turning into my safe place faster than I can reign it in.

Mills… Em… Emma…

My eyes open and all I can see is thighs. Big, strong thighs. Matt’s caressing my hair over and over, whispering my name. For a second, I don’t move. I’m warm and comfortable, and I don’t quite want to leave yet.

Then it clicks.

I’m lying on Matt. Like… fully lying on Matt.

My head tilts up, adjusting to the cabin lights and yep—there’s no doubt here. I’m sprawled across him, my head in his lap like it’s completely normal for me.

He must think I’m a weirdo.