“Okay…?”
“I’m worried that things will get awkward. And we’re in a fragile place anyway.”
“A fragile place? Who are you? And why would things get awkward?”
The flight attendant began her announcements, going over the safety information and asking passengers to put their electronic devices into airplane mode. Tyler’s mind was spinning, but not about anything to do with the flight.
“The girl I kissed in Colorado Springs?”
“Yeah?” I asked, bracing myself for what he might say.
“It was Falyn,” he said finally. “I kissed Falyn.” He turned to me, desperate. “It’s like what happened with you and Taylor. She thought I was him, I thought she was flirting with me…”
“You kissed Falyn so you’re asking me to move in with you?”
“Yes.”
I shook my head. “You kissed Taylor’s girlfriend?”
“She wasn’t his girlfriend then.”
“I’m so confused. What does that have to do with me moving in?”
“I don’t know, Ellie, I’m freaking the fuck out. I’ve never—” He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “I’m in love with you. You haven’t said it since Thanksgiving. You balk every time I mention moving in. Okay, yeah, I might be a little desperate, but I don’t know what I’d do if you told me to kick rocks.”
“I see.”
Tyler waited for me to say more.
“You’re asking me to move in with you because when I found out about Falyn at the party it would have been easier to keep me from dumping you?” I snapped. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
He winced.
“That’s so … so … romantic,” I growled.
His shoulders sagged. “Do you hate me?”
“Yes, but not because you kissed Falyn.”
He looked down, a little lost. “The last month has been amazing, Ellie. Exactly what I thought it would be. I’ve been sweating New Year’s Eve since I found out she was going to be there.”
“Then maybe you should have told me the whole truth the first time. If you remember, I didn’t care then, either.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Okay, I did, but it wasn’t a deal breaker.”
“You’re right,” he said, angry with himself. “You’re right. It won’t happen again.”
“Kissing Falyn, lying, or asking me to move in with you?”
He turned to me, his eyebrows pulling in to form a deep line between them.
“Wow,” I said. “I think this is the first time you’ve actually been mad at me.”
“It’s not a good feeling,” he said, still frowning.
The plane taxied out to the runway, and within five minutes, the engines pushed us forward, racing down the asphalt and then into the air.
Tyler slid his hand over mine, resting back against the headrest. “I didn’t realize how scary this would be,” he whispered.
“I told you,” I said.
His eyes popped open, and he turned to face me. Even with circles under his eyes and yesterday’s scruff on his face, he was ridiculously beautiful.
“And I said it’d be worth it.” He squeezed my hand. “And it is.”
I grinned. “Just because I don’t say it doesn’t mean I don’t.”
“That you love me? Why is that so hard for you?”
I shrugged. “Your family says it a lot. Mine doesn’t. It just doesn’t feel natural to say. But I do. Love you.” I had to force out the words, but not the feeling behind them.
He kissed my forehead, and then I leaned over, snuggling against his arm and hugging him to me. He rested his cheek on my head, his breathing evened out, and he slept until the flight attendant began her final announcement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you.”
Tyler stirred, rubbing his eyes. “Wow. How long was I out?”
“Well, we’re landing, so a little over two hours.”
“Holy fuck. I must have been more tired than I thought.”
I stretched my neck and leaned in to kiss his cheek, then settled back as we began our descent. The Denver airport was busy and chaotic as usual, but we navigated our new roller luggage through the terminal, to the tram, and finally to level five toward the exit.
Tyler slowed just as we passed through baggage claim, recognizing the couple waving to us before I did.
“Isn’t that…?”
“Oh, fuck,” I said as my stomach sank.
Finley pulled her newest sunglasses from her face and walked quickly to me in six-inch Louboutin heels, her arms outstretched.
She threw her arms around me, and I looked to Tyler in a panic.
“Finley,” he said, opening his arms to her. “Good to see you.”
“You too, but I’m hugging my sister for the first time in almost a year,” she said, continuing to squeeze the life out of me. “You can wait.”
“Fin,” I said, trying to keep the contempt from my voice. “What a surprise.”
“I know,” she said, finally releasing me. She wiped her cheek. “I didn’t warn you. But I knew you’d say not to come. It’s been ten months, Ellie. I couldn’t give you one more day of space. You’re my sister.”
“I’ve been calling you like you asked.”
“I know,” she said, glancing at Marco. “But it’s not enough. You’re my best friend.” Her eyes danced between Tyler and me. “What? What aren’t you telling me?”
Tyler looked at me, and my mind raced for a believable lie.
“We’re uh … we’re moving in together,” I said.
Finley and Tyler shot me identical expressions.
“We were going to try to move my things before the New Year. It’s just a really bad time for our first visit.”
“Oh,” Finley said. She looked a bit lost, and then a grin spread across her face. “Well, congratulations, you two!” She hugged both of us, and Tyler choked when Finley squeezed his neck into her shoulder. “That is so exciting. Our parents can’t wait to meet you,” she said, pointing at him with her glasses. “They’d love to see your new place. I would love to see your new place!” She clasped her hands together. “In Estes?”