Page 34 of Midnight Ink

Ian laughs. “I was actually going to say that you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning.”

My fingers tremble around the folder in my hands. “I hate heights.”

“You have no issues sitting on my roof with me.”

“That’s different.” I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the awning below, which I know would break my fall, or it could be that Ian is usually right there beside me. I don’t know. “Sitting safely on your roof is a little different than plummeting from the sky in a fiery crash.”

Ian nods as if that makes perfect sense. I know it doesn’t. He reaches out gently and slides his fingers through mine. “You can squeeze my hand as hard as you want on the plane,” Ian whispers. “You can hold it the entire time. I won’t complain.”

I let out a shaky breath, and my grip tightens in his hand. “You’re not allowed to make jokes about turbulence. No jokes at all.”

Ian smiles and my stomach drops for a whole new reason. He’s got pretty lips. Red and full. My eyes drag up and the warmth in his eyes eases my anxiety a little. “I’ll be your knight in shining armor. Very stoic and brave. Just for you, Jules.”

Something comes over me.

I lean forward and press my forehead to his. “I’ll be fine.” I pull back and offer a weak smile. “I’ll be okay.”

The boarding call crackles overhead.

“Time to be brave.” He kisses the side of my face, and like in his kitchen, heat shoots through me.

Without letting go of each other, we stand and walk to the gate. To everyone around us, we must look like a couple. We approach the line and he turns to me abruptly. “Seriously, Jules.” His dark blue eyes snag my attention. “If you don’t want to do this, we can do something else. You don’t have to be okay for me.” He smiles sadly. “Anywhere we go will be amazing. We can change our mind.” He gives me a reassuring squeeze.

The boarding call comes again. No, we’re doing this.

My chest tightens but I want to do this. I want to be here for him. “I want to, Ian.” I squeeze his fingers. They feel like an anchor. I can do this. “Just don’t let go.”

Ian smiles brightly. “Not a chance, Jules.”

For the first time since entering this airport my lungs unclench and I breathe easier.

We find our seats on the plane. There are a lot of people all crammed into this tiny space. It’s hot, and the noise and movement is making my brain feel fuzzy. I notice Ian sneaking glances at me, but I can’t focus on anything except the roaring in my skull. It hurts. My stomach twists, tight and sour, making me nauseous. My fingers feel cold.

Fuck, I hate heights.

And apparently the idea of plummeting from the sky. Who would have thought.

“Jules?”

“Huh?” My voice sounds hollow. My ears are hot.

Ian smiles softly. “It’s normal to be afraid to fly.”

“When was the last time you flew?”

“My mom and I used to visit my grandmother in New Mexico when she was alive. Flying is the safest form⁠—”

“Of travel blah blah blah.” I shake my head. “The chances of surviving a plane crash, however, are shitty.”

Ian blinks, laughter forming under his breath. “You’re not helping yourself.”

People finish settling in their seats, and the stewardess walks the aisles, checking belts, her voice calm and practiced. My knee starts bouncing harder as the engine roars to life and the plane begins to roll.

Ian reaches into his pocket and holds out a stick of gum. “Chew this.”

I take it, popping it into my mouth. “Thank you.”

“I was afraid the first time I flew,” he says near my ear, sending a shiver rolling over my skin. I look at him, his lips close to mine, and my thoughts center on him. How close he is. How good he smells. Fear claws up my spine as we go faster down the runway. “But it’s fun. The clouds look incredible from up there.”