The plane rocked sharply, and I dug my fingers into the armrests again.
Oh my God, I don't wanna die in the sky…
"Is there any difference?" I hear a familiar voice.
I freeze before opening my eyes and realize that Jack Harden is sitting in the chair next to mine.
Nextto mine. He didn't take a seat in front of me, although there's no one else here except for us.
And how the hell didn't I notice he was taking a seat?
"Excuse me?" I ask, although I heard him clearly. I just don't understand what he’s talking about.
"We’re all going to die someday," he explains, "You said you don't want to die in the sky. That's why I'm asking you: what's the difference?"
Did I say that out loud?
What's wrong with me?
What else did I mumble or even shout without realizing I was speaking aloud?
I realize that I've been staring at my boss for about a minute with an open mouth and haven't said a word since he asked the question.
And at this moment I start laughing.
Chapter Four
Jack
Her golden laugh spreads across the cabin, and I can finally see her when she smiles. I have to admit that I've never seen anything more beautiful.
Yesterday, after she left, I wondered how she would look if I made her smile. Well, I also wondered how she would look if I made her come, but that's another story.
I’ve never mixed work with pleasure, but here I am, charmed by this woman's laugh. I could listen to it forever. It’s like champagne: easy to drink but it doesn't leave your head for a long time afterward.
"I don't know why I said that,” she finally says, shrugging her shoulders and still laughing a little. "I meant that I don't want to die; it doesn't matter where."
"Do you know that sitting on a plane is safer than walking on the street?" I ask, trying to be severe, but it's hard not to smile with this woman.
She looks at my lips. She's probably amazed that I can smile. All she’s ever heard from me are accusations and reproaches.
"I do." She swallows, and her eyes slowly come back to mine.
"What do you want to drink?" I press the button to call the flight attendant.
"Oh, no, thank you, I…shouldn't," she mumbles, shaking her head. "It's a business trip, and we'll meet investors."
"Investor," I clarify. "Just one. And it's going to happen tomorrow. Until then, I want you to relax a little. I don't want you to have a heart attack before your marketing strategy becomes mine. On our way back, you may not drink if you don't want to."
I speak seriously, and her eyes widen in surprise. She can't understand if I'm being genuine or if it’s a joke.
She's so cute. She believes every single word.
I can't take it anymore and start laughing.
"It's not funny," she chuckles, shaking her head, but her wide smile says otherwise.
"It is," I agree, not able to stop smiling.