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I boarded, stowed my carry-on, and settled into my seat. I was in the last row before the curtain that separated our seats from coach. Who would be next to me? I wasn’t up for small talk on the best days, and especially not first thing in the morning, on a flight I’d been reluctant to take.
Read. Interesting idea. Pulled up my books on my phone. Biggest problem—where to start. It had been way too long since I lost myself in a book.
I was torn between looking engrossed if someone sat next to me, and watching for Luke to pass by, without looking like I was watching. I’d scrolled through the first fifty or so books on my to-be-read list half a dozen times, before I realized I wasn’t registering any of the titles.
One of the attendants announced they were getting ready to close the doors. No one had taken the seat next to me. My luck was even better this morning than I’d expected. I turned my attention back to my phone. What to read?
Someone brushed my arm, and a familiar clean scent teased me. It was like Luke’s, but not quite. I looked up, to see Chase sliding into the seat next to me. Wait. Did Chase and Luke wear the same cologne? How had I never noticed that before?
“Nice of you to finally show up,” I said playfully.
“It’s all about making an entrance.” He settled quickly and turned to halfway face me. “Glad you got my present.”
His...? “The seat upgrade?”
“Yup. I figure you’re overworked and don’t want to be here, and I had the points. You might as well enjoy this a little.”
What was it, with everyone telling me that today? “It’s a perfect fit. Thank you.”
Some of the tension drained from my neck, as I sank into my seat. Chase sitting next to me was pretty much Ideal Scenario Number One. He’d understand if I didn’t want to talk. The silence between us wouldn’t feel awkward. He’d be a perfect buffer. This trip was shaping up to be pretty decent after all.
“So what’s up with you and Luke?” Chase’s tone was casual. The plane pulled from the gate and headed toward the runway.
I choked on the air. “Nothing.” My answer came out in a single syllable. I drew a deep breath. Slow down. “I mean, why would you think...? Nothing’s up.” I managed to enunciate every word.
“Mhm. Then you need to get that blushing thing under control.”
I pressed my palms into my flaming cheeks. “I’m not blushing.” Was I?
“Every time you see him or hear his name, since yesterday morning.”
Fuck. I slid my hands to cover my entire face. Who else had noticed? No one, right? Chase simply knew me that well. “It was just a kiss.” Or two. Or more. And a lot of groping. “And we’re pretending it didn’t happen.” My already quiet words were muffled by my hands.
The plane started moving again, but I was too focused on Chase’s lack of response. I glanced sideways at him.
His expression unreadable.
“What?” I asked.
He shrugged. “If you were looking to hook up with someone in the office, you could have come to me.” He trailed a finger lightly along my jaw.
My breath caught, and my pulse hammered in my ears. “We didn’t hook up.” I wanted to laugh his words off as a joke, but God if he didn’t summon every fantasy I’d ever had about Chase at once. “You? Really?”
“Ouch. Or anyone but him. But yes, me.”
The plane lifted off. Chase tilted his head and brushed his lips over mine.
The bottom dropped out of my everything.
