Page 23 of The Flight Risk

Well, fuck, now that’s in the forefront of my mind.

“No, man, I’m not freaking out about that. Listen. I need to talk to Brooke. It’s about Tess.”

I hear a distant, “Who is that?” and Lawson says, “Oakley. He says he needs your help. Something to do with Tess.”

I pinch my nose and try to ground myself by focusing on my breathing. There is a clear playful fight over Tristan’s phone going on right now. Jesus, even when they are fighting, they can’t keep their hands off each other. Finally, I hear Brooke’s voice on the other end. “Hello? Oakley? What’s wrong with Tess?”

“Yes. Tess is fine. She is watching some show downstairs. Emily something.”

“Emily in Paris?! Oh no, she is not! She was supposed to tell me when she was going to start the new season so we could watch together since we had to reschedule our girls’ night. I’m going to text her!”

“No!” I yell. This is getting off the rails. “Don’t text her. She’ll know that I told you and I don’t want that. I need your help. She told me to surprise her with dinner. I want to make sure I choose the right thing. I don’t want to choose something wrong or something she thinks is disgusting.”

There is a long pause.

“Hello? Brooke?”

“I’m here. First of all, this is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. I mean, it’s like you are taking a page out of Tristan Lawson’s how-to-get-a-woman-to-love-you-who-really-hates-you book. Okay, listen. Tess never says no to a burger and fries. Make sure to get ranch on the side for her fries. Bonus points if they are rosemary or parmesan garlic fries. She hates ketchup. I mean hates.” Noted. “This is very sweet of you, Oakley.”

“I just want her to get what she wants.”

“Trust me, I won her over with my incredible baking skills. Food is her love language. This is a sure-fire way to get to her heart.”

I swallow hard. Ever since I kissed her, really since I met her, that’s all I’ve wanted to do. I know that she misconstrued things when I didn’t immediately make a move like others, not as socially awkward, guys would have. I want to make sure I do this right. It’s been so long since I’ve actually been with someone and I don’t want to screw it up by moving too fast. I want Tess to feel safe and secure with me before moving forward.

“Thanks, Brooke. I appreciate your help.”

“Happy to support the cause of winning the heart of my best friend. She has a blank space in her love life, babe. Go ahead and win her over. I approve.”

My jaw drops. Seriously, she has a crystal ball somewhere and is watching our lives unfold like a reality TV show. Before I can respond, I hear a quick giggle and then, “Bye, Oakley.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

After putting in the order, I walk through my room, over piles of Tess’ clothes, and make it to my bathroom and turn on the shower. I already showered in the locker room, but I always take another shower at home. It’s just how I’ve always been. I don’t like change.

But somehow, I’m willing to change everything for her.

After Tess’ dissertation of the plotline of Emily in Paris thus far, she restarts the first episode of the new season, eyes wide and captivated by every word. I’m beyond captivated by her. The only conclusion I came up with after Tess’ “quick” rundown of the show, is that Emily should be with Gabriel. They clearly love each other. The only other person who might be a viable choice for her is this Alfie character.

The food arrives and Tess’ face lights up at my choice of dinner. I owe Brooke big time. Once the first episode is done, I press pause. Tess is mid-bite when I ask her, “Do you plan on going to Paris someday?”

She finishes her bite. “Of course. I don’t have a set timeline, but I know I will go one day. And honestly, I’ve considered doing what Emily did in this show.”

A knot in my stomach develops. The thought of her being anywhere except where I am is not a thought I welcome in any way. “Move to Paris?”

She nods. “Yup. Get away from the life I’ve always known. Get away from all the failed relationships, both familial and romantic.” She dips a fry in her ranch. “Leave teaching and be a social media manager somewhere. Do something that has more reach.”

“You’re already reaching so many kids by teaching, though. You know that, right? Without the teachers I had who understood I was different and appreciated that about me, I don’t think I could’ve survived all the bullying about how nerdy or awkward I was.” It’s been years since I thought of hiding in the nurses’ office during lunch just to avoid those assholes.

“You were bullied?” Tess’ eyebrows pull together as she searches my face. “I can’t imagine you being bullied. You are the sweetest guy I’ve ever met.”

“Well, the bullying effectively stopped when I got taller. People don’t really mess with the 6’7” hockey player. Doesn’t mean I wasn’t still a nerdy little boy desperately trying to be whatever ‘normal’ is.” My jaw clenches and I wipe my hands with a napkin. “Hockey is the thing that saved me. That and great teachers like you.”

Tess looks at me solemnly and she smiles softly. She shrugs and lazily dips a fry in the ranch. “It’s not that I hate teaching. I just feel in my bones that there’s more out there for me. I would love to work with kids in some way still. I know there are so many kids who need support and love. The best thing about teaching is the connection and I think that’s what we all need. Genuine connection.”

“You are already that person for Lottie.”

“You give me too much credit.”