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I brave another glance and Aiden’s eyes rise to meet mine at that exact moment. My heart flutters in recognition of something deep in his eyes. For a second, I’m entranced.
Then I remember my resolve and quickly look away. Still, my pulse doesn’t slow but races at the speed of this jet. But that’s the weather making me nervous, isn’t it?
The turbulence has calmed slightly since we turned away from Atlanta. There’s been no more extreme up and downs.
Hmm. Come to think of it, the weather has been a lot like my emotions today.
The plane is shaking more than I’d like, but it will all be over soon as we’ve begun our descent into Charlotte.
Rain streams across the glass as I stare out the window. The cloud layer is thick and only occasionally can I see the city lights below. It’s dark outside and at just after four o’clock in the afternoon, it might as well be midnight. I let out a long breath, rubbing the back of my neck.
“What are you thinking?” Aiden asks, ever the vigilant observer.
I want to blurt out that I wish we were landing in Dublin instead. I miss the life I had there—my friends, my job, and my comfort places like Christchurch Cathedral, the music pub a few streets from my apartment, and the ancient Celtic culture my da was so fond of. But I bite my lip. I can’t reveal too much about myself. The less he knows about me, the better.
But I need to say something. As tempting as it is to ignore Aiden’s question, I’m not that rude.
“Even through the clouds, Charlotte looks so vast, and I imagine Atlanta is even bigger. I’m not sure I’m suited for big city life.”
And it’s true. Even in Dublin, Rhia and I preferred to live in the outer suburbs. My stomach sinks, not knowing what lies ahead. I wonder where Freemont’s apartments are located but also when I’ll next embrace my bestie? I miss her so much.
“I get what you mean,” Aiden replies. “I much prefer the peace and quiet of the countryside,”
I tear my gaze away from the city and study him. “I can see that. You have a calm energy which you don’t often see in city people. Where do you live?”
“I’ve got a house in the mountains near Blue Ridge. It’s beautiful there. You should come and visit,” he drops casually.
All I heard wasmountainsand I’m half sold.My heart soars at the idea of spending time in nature.
Just that I won’t be spending time there with Aiden.
God, could you imagine being in the woods alone with him?! My mind diverts for a moment. Aiden, the lumberjack, splitting wood bare chested, his muscular, powerful arms high in the air as he swings an ax to cleave apart the defenseless timber.
Jeez, Ella. Slow down girl or it won’t be cold licorice tea wetting your pants.
Yeah, I won’t be visiting Aiden in the mountains.
I need to stay far away from him, his damn handsome face and drool-worthy arms.
I wish I could stop the blush coloring my cheeks. Can he guess where my thoughts have wandered? I don’t look at him to find out.
I ignore his invitation to visit him in the mountains. He only said it to be nice anyway, right?
So instead, I ask, “Isn’t that a long commute to work?”
“It’s not too bad… about an hour’s drive. Freemont’s head office is in Marietta, about half an hour north of downtown Atlanta. I only have to go in when needed. Sometimes that’s only once a week and at other times, I’m there every day.”
“Do you work from home otherwise?” I ask as the jet’s landing gear extends.
“Yes, I have an office set up with a view over the river and mountains.”
Oh no, don’t talk about the mountains again. “Lucky man.”
I glance out the window to see the ground approach rapidly. Gusts of wind shake the plane, making me grip the armrest and close my eyes, praying we’ll land smoothly. It’s wishful thinking. The landing is a rough one, but we’re in one piece and that’s all that matters.
Once the plane is firmly on the ground and taxying off the runway, I let out a long breath and open my eyes. “So I assume we find a rental car place next?” I really want to get off this deathtrap. I’m much happier having the earth beneath my feet. “Do we need to ring Gary to let him know what’s happening?”
Aiden lifts his phone, waving it in the air. “I’ve already texted him. He thinks we should stay the night. Apparently, the weather in Atlanta is atrocious.”
