“See you then!” I tell him, my excitement building.
“Are you all set? The captain is ready to take off.”
“I’m ready when they are,” I tell her.
“I brought you a little something to eat,” she says, setting down a little charcuterie board. “Would you like anything to drink?”
“Can you do a sprite with a splash of cranberry juice?” I ask.
“Absolutely, would you like ice?”
“Yes, please.”
“All right, I’ll be right back,” she states. I take the cover off the board, selecting a cracker and spreading some soft cheese on it that’s labeled with a small flag as goat cheese with honey. The flavor bursts on my tongue as I feel the plane start to move.
Taylor brings me my drink in a much fancier glass than I’d have guessed they’d have on a plane, but being a private one, they can have much nicer things. I’m sure I’d never find this kind of food spread on a commercial flight, but having never been on one, I can’t say for sure.
Take off is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It was super cool to watch everything go by as we sped down the runway. I watched with rapt attention as we made it into the sky and high above the ground. Eventually, we ended up above the clouds, thus blocking my view of everything below. I pulled my kindle out of my bag, hoping the story I’ve been reading the past couple of days will hold my attention while I fly to the other side of the country.
“How are you doing?” Taylor asks. I look at my watch and see that we’re down to only an hour or so until we should be landing.
“I’m great, thank you.”
“Can I get you anything else?” she offers.
“I’ll take a refill of my drink, if it isn’t a hassle.”
“Of course not, did you want anything else to eat?”
“Is there another charcuterie board?” I ask. “That was really good.”
“Of course. They are really good; I love it when we can get them,” she states.
“Bring one for yourself and we can eat together, I mean, if you’re allowed to do that?” I say, realizing I have no idea if she’s allowed to do what I suggested.
“Sure, I can sit with you for a while,” she replies. “Let me just go refill your drink and I’ll be back with everything.”
I turn back to my kindle, finishing up the last few pages of my chapter as Taylor returns. She sets my drink and the two boards down, then takes the seat across from me.
We make small talk, discussing flying and what California will be like when we make it in. She helps pass the time until she has to return to the front to do whatever it is that she has to do before we land.
As soon as the wheels hit the ground, I flip my phone from airplane mode to get a signal. I know that Nathan is here, but I text him anyways that we’ve landed.
Harper:Just landed! Can’t wait to see you.
Nathan:I’ll be at the bottom of the stairs. Can’t wait to have you in my arms.
Harper:{kissy face}
I feel the plane come to a stop, then a few bells chime. As soon as those go off, the door opens, and I can see some stairs being wheeled up to the side of the plane. Sure enough, Nathan is standing at the bottom. I sling my bag over my shoulder and head for the door. Taylor has already pulled out my suitcase and is handing it over to someone to carry down for me.
“Thank you for everything; you made my first ever flight the best experience I could have asked for. I hope to see you again when I fly back home.”
“It was my pleasure, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll see you again next weekend,” she confirms. “And I’ll do my best to get you another charcuterie board for that flight.” She winks at me before I step off onto the stairs.
I look down and see Nathan’s smiling face. I practically run down the stairs, trying my best to be careful so I don’t miss a step and tumble down them, hurting myself in the process.
“God, I missed you,” Nathan says, his lips next to my ear as he holds me tight in a hug. I pull back far enough to press my lips to his. I missed the feeling of his lips against mine.