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CHAPTERONE
AVA
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve started our descent to Edinburgh Airport. Please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position,” the captain’s voice sounds over the loudspeaker as the no smoking sign flashes two times, letting everyone know it’s time to land.
“Finally,” the lady beside me groans as I grab my research, close my laptop, and shove it into my bag.
“Hopefully it doesn’t take too long for us to get off the plane,” I mumble, forcing a smile before checking my seatbelt and closing my eyes.
I hate flying. I hate it so much that I went to a college close to home to ensure I never had to get on a plane. So why did I apply to the master’s program in Edinburgh, knowing I had to get on a plane? That’s a great question. One I’d love to answer after this plane is safely on the ground.
“I can hold your hand if you want.” The voice wraps around me like a warm blanket, soothing my frayed nerves.
My eyes widen as I turn my head and meet a pair of blue eyes. His dirty blond hair has that just got out of bed look, his jawline is chiseled, and he has a smile that could melt the polar ice caps. I glance at his outstretched hand, noticing an intricate nautical-themed tattoo with a large compass in the center.
“Um, I-I…” I stammer, forgetting how to form words.
I have never been good at speaking to the opposite sex, mostly because I’ve never interacted with them. Being the chubby girl who lives and breathes studying and spends most of her time in the library never did me any favors with my peers.
“Where are my manners? I’m Callen, but all my friends call me Cal.”
Say something, Ava!
It’s times like these when I wish I were more like my outgoing, bright, and bubbly friend Maya. Always the life of the party, she’s the exact opposite of me. My favorite place is in the library surrounded by art history books and the great classics. If it wasn’t for Maya and the girls, I’d probably never leave my dorm room.
“Are we friends?” My cheeks heat with embarrassment. “My name is Ava.”
“I’d really like us to be, Ava.” He winks before threading his fingers through mine and laying our joined hands on the armrest. “Tilt your head back and close your eyes. It’ll all be over soon.”
I’ve always been a person who spoke my mind. Straightforward and blunt is how the girls always describe my personality, but others usually call me a bitch. It used to bother me, but eventually, I decided I liked me. I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay.
Although right now, I want to be this man’s cup of tea.How did I get so wrapped up in my fear of flying that I missed out on seven hours of staring at the most beautiful man I’ve ever met?
What would Maya do? What would Maya do? What would Maya do?
Clamping my eyes shut, I repeat that phrase in my head, praying that some words will come to me and help me start a conversation with him.
“First time on a plane?”
I jump at the sound of his voice right next to my ear. His crisp, clean scent envelops my senses, making it even harder to think. The deep timbre of his voice sends shivers down my spine, and the urge to climb him like a tree overcomes me. I’ve never had a visceral reaction like this to anyone in my life. This can’t be a good sign. The last thing I need is a distraction from my goals.
I’ve spent my entire life working toward becoming a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, just like my parents, so I can’t let a pair of breathtaking blue eyes steer me off-course. No matter how much my heart might want them to.
But there’s no harm in talking.
Edinburgh is a big city, and the country of Scotland is even bigger. The likelihood of running into this handsome stranger a second time is next to impossible. I can flirt a little and then be back on track by the time I hit the baggage claim. No harm done.
“Yes,” I squeak out before taking a deep breath. “I hate flying. If it wasn’t for a stupid bet with my best friends, I’d be curled up in my bed at my gran’s with a good book.”
I tighten my grip on his hand as the plane drops slightly, causing my stomach to flutter.
“I swear if I die on this plane, I’m coming back to haunt all three of them.” I nibble on my bottom lip, trying to focus on anything but the sounds of the plane shuddering around me.
“Tell me about these friends.”
I bite back a moan as he runs his thumb over the skin on my hand.
“Maya is the reason I’m even here. She came up with a stupid challenge for the four of us after graduation. She wanted each of us to do something completely insane in celebration of graduating from college.”
