She watched the stream of people for a moment, hearing one of the debarking passengers mention the smooth flight from Seattle, and a sense of excitement filled her.
Soon she’d be there. Soon she’d be laying everything on the line for Blake.
Which reminded her. Since Tori was at work, maybe she could get her brother to pick her up from the airport when she landed and save her some money. Because, ouch, this flight had already cost more than she should’ve been spending.
She turned away from the unloading passengers and went to find a seat back in the corner of her gate. After digging out her phone, she sent James a quick text to let him know what was happening.
It was only when she was buckled into her window seat, the plane leaving the gate, that she realized she’d forgotten to put her phone on airplane mode.
She went to do it and saw the return text from James on the screen. Her stomach clenched.
“Oh my God.”
She put her hand to her mouth and closed her eyes, but the words were still vivid in her mind.
Don’t get on that plane. Blake just flew down there to see you.
*
After being crammedin the back of the plane for almost three hours, it was a relief when Blake finally stepped off the ramp and into the terminal.
His gaze absently drifted over the waiting area where people were waiting to board for the next flight before he adjusted his backpack and focused his attention on finding his way to the exit.
By the time he climbed into a taxi and was heading toward Kristen’s house, he was jittery with anticipation and nerves.
Were his palms sweaty? He wiped them on his jeans and shook his head.
What the hell, he was like a kid going on a first date.
Damn. Hopefully he was doing the right thing. Hopefully she wouldn’t slam the door in his face and tell him to go screw himself.
Granted, maybe he deserved it.
When the driver arrived outside Kristen’s building, Blake tipped him and stepped out of the vehicle.
Well, here he was. This was happening.
He drew in a slow breath, trying to get control of his nerves, before grabbing his phone out of his pocket to double check the apartment number. It was then he realized James had sent him a new message.
Super shitty news, bro. Kristen is on a plane to Seattle right now.
Blake froze. Unable to breathe. The blood drained from his head, and he swayed, grabbing the utility pole next to him. His teeth snapped together, and his breath hissed through them.
This isn’t fucking happening.
He started to text James back.
“If you’re ordering an Uber, you’d better cancel it.”
The sound of her voice made him go still.
A car door slammed. He turned around slowly and found her standing on the curb as the taxi pulled away.
The relief that soared through him had the phone slipping from his hand. He moved quick to scoop it up from the ground, not giving a damn if it was broken.
“You’re here.” The two words he managed were guttural.
“So are you.” She took a step forward and then hesitated. Her brown eyes were wide with uncertainty and anxiousness. “I thought…”