“Relax, there’s no need to be scared,” Jonah warns into my ear as the plane begins to roll forward.
I don’t bother answering, instead focusing on Sonny as he strolls alongside us, waving those orange sticks. The plane bumps and jolts over the cracks in the pavement, bringing back an odd and dreaded sense of déjà vu.
I tug on my seat belt to tighten it, peering around at the small army of my father’s planes, some being loaded by busy grounds crew workers, others awaiting small clusters of tourists. I can’t tell if the runway ahead of us seems narrow and short against the wide expanse of flat land that surrounds us, or if it’s because the runway is in fact narrow and short.
“I don’t know how you can be Wren’s daughter and freak out this much in a small plane.”
“Because my first time in a small plane was a horrendous experience with a horrible, mean pilot,” I throw back.
His chest heaves. “Look, it was a shitty thing for me to do and I’m sorry.”
We’ve reached the end of Wild’s runway. I turn to meet his icy blue eyes and find rare sincerity in them. “Why’d you do it, then?”
“I don’t know. I guess I wanted to see what Wren Fletcher’s daughter was made of.”
“What I’m made of?” I snort. “Well, you came close to seeing what my stomach contents were made of.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t part of my plan.” His brow furrows tightly. “I saw all those pictures of you and figured you were one of those uppity city chicks that I can’t stand.”
I frown. “What pictures?”
“I don’t know. The ones Mabel showed me on her phone.”
He must be talking about my Instagram account. “What’s wrong with those pictures?”
“Nothing. Just, when girls look like you do . . .” He shakes his head. “I guess I wanted to knock you down a few pegs from the get-go.”
Like I do. Like a Barbie doll, according to him. “So what? I’m not an uppity city chick that you can’t stand anymore?”
“You’re definitely uppity.” His lips twist with a wry smile. “But you’re alright.” He radios in to the air control tower while that strange mix of fear and thrill swirl inside.
We wait in silence for the approval to take off.
“So, I was your first time?” Jonah murmurs mildly.
“What?”
“That’s what you just said. I was your first time.”
It clicks and I roll my eyes, even as my cheeks flush. “Yes, and you were subpar. You should be embarrassed.”
His deep chuckle reverberates in my chest.
Air control calls in, giving him the all-clear message.
“If I die today, I’m going to kill you.” I clench my thighs against the sudden urge to pee.
“That would take talent,” he murmurs, his strong hands gripping the yoke.
“Seriously, t
hough, where are you taking me?”
He flicks a few more switches. “I’m going to show you that Wild is about a hell of a lot more than making a buck,” he says, echoing the bitter words I’d spoken only days ago, next to the Meyer’s cashier.
I hold my breath as the plane begins to accelerate.
Chapter 14