Page 16 of Feel It in the Air

Shit. Now I stepped in it. So much for keeping that part between us. Gus doesn’t seem fazed however, nodding at me.

“Margeaux is the gal I waited out the storm with.”

Milo’s eyes go wide, like someone just told him I was the Easter Bunny. “You’re airport bar angel.”

“Excuse me?”

I’m what?!

“Oh, this is the best thing ever,” Milo mutters. “Just wait until I tell Hux…” He starts to back away, shaking his head, eyes filled with mischief. His phone is already in his hand, thumbs moving at the speed of light across the screen. “Oh, Christmas came early…”

“What is he talking about?” I turn to Gus, concern forming a pit in my stomach.

“You said you have brothers, right?”

“Yeah, two of them.”

“They torment you? Poke at you, just because they can?”

“Yeah.”

Gus sighs. “Triple that. Then add in a sassy baby sister. And then admit that you smudged a pretty girl’s phone number.”

Oh no. Ohhhhh, nooooo…

“Gus…are they…” I trail off. Shit. I just started. I don’t need a reputation. “I don’t mean to sound selfish, but it's my first day. I don’t want rumors going around that…you know.”

“You’re safe. I’ll make sure of that. I, however, am not. At least not with my family.”

I take his hand, interlacing our fingers, letting our palms meet. The air sizzles, the world feeling alive as the warmth of his skin envelops mine.

“What can I do?”

“Be my friend. That’s all I can ask of you right now, but…”

Friends. I swallow hard, trying to pretend that the idea doesn't hurt. That I don’t want more from him. So, so much more. But being friends is better than nothing. I can be friends with Gus and still have my career.

“Friends.”