Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Liam
As we step onto the plane, I can’t help but notice the way Audrey’s eyes widen as she takes in the spacious first-class cabin. The seats are wide and plush, with plenty of legroom to stretch out. She runs her hand along the soft leather, a small smile playing on her lips. I watch as she settles in her seat, as she leans back her shirt rides up slightly to reveal a sliver of smooth skin.
Before in-flight service begins, I grab my laptop from my carry-on to get some work done. When the flight attendant comes around, I put in our order—whiskey for me and white wine for her. As we sip our drinks, we begin to discuss her career and other things.
Audrey starts flipping through the in-flight magazines, her eyes scanning the pages. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her brow furrowing slightly as she concentrates. Way to ignore an old friend. Well, we’re not old friends, but we’ve known each other for years. Shouldn’t she be slightly more invested in catching up?
“Hey, you’re not about to bail on me for some riveting article on the best boutique hotels in Wyoming, are you?” I tease, nudging her elbow.
She glances up, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Actually, I was looking for the crossword puzzle. Keeps the brain sharp.”
“Ah, a woman of intellect and mystery,” I say, raising an eyebrow. I lean back in my seat and watch as she fishes out a pencil from her purse, her fingers gracefully twirling it. “I always knew there was more to you than just being Max’s little sister.”
Audrey rolls her eyes but grins, her nose crinkling adorably. “Please, I’ve evolved way beyond that title. Plus I’m smarter than my older brothers.”
“Evolved, huh? Like a Pokémon?” I ask, amused.
“Yeah.” she says annoyed, marking down a word with confidence, her hand moving swiftly across the page. “I’m now Audrey McCallister, Corporate Consultant Extraordinaire.”
“Corporate consultant, eh?” I muse, genuinely impressed. I lean in closer, catching a whiff of her perfume—something sweet and floral. “So, what does that entail exactly? Besides sounding fancy and all-important?”
Her shoulders slump slightly, and she exhales, setting aside the magazine. She runs a hand through her hair, her fingers getting tangled in the soft waves. “It’s . . . a lot,” she admits. “I help companies streamline their operations, improve efficiency, things like that. It’s rewarding but can be a bit soul-sucking.”
“Sounds intense.” I lean closer, dropping my voice to a mock whisper, my breath tickling her ear. “Do you wear one of those power suits and order people around with a megaphone?”
“Only on Tuesdays,” she deadpans, and we both chuckle, the sound mingling with the hum of the plane’s engines. But then her gaze drifts to the window, and the laughter fades into something softer, more somber. Her eyes cloud over, a faraway look settling on her face as she stares out at the endless expanse of sky.
“Hey, none of that,” I nudge her gently, my shoulder brushing against hers. “Your ex doesn’t deserve the air you breathe. Don’t let him ruin your nice trip to see your parents get married.”
“Thanks, Liam,” she says, the corners of her mouth lifting ever-so-slightly. She turns to look at me, her eyes shining with gratitude. “Always the charmer.”
“Speaking of which,” I segue with a sly grin, my eyes twinkling with mischief, “since we’re practically family, how about cutting me a deal on your consulting services? I could use someone to whip the marketing team into shape. What do you say? Family discount?”
Audrey snorts, rolling her eyes so hard I’m afraid they might stick that way. She crosses her arms over her chest, her lips pursing in a way that’s both adorable and infuriating. “Family discount? Right, because nepotism is exactly the kind of message I want to send to my clients.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” I chuckle, leaning back. I stretch my legs out in front of me, feeling the satisfying pop of my joints.
“Keep dreaming, Liam.” She leans her head against the seat, the barest hint of a smile still playing on her face. Her eyelids flutter, and I can tell she’s fighting to stay awake.
“Will do, Auds,” I reply, feeling the warmth of our rekindled connection. “Will do.”
The cabin lights dim further, and her head starts to tilt forward in slow motion. I adjust her direction toward me. It’s like watching one of those old black-and-white movies where the heroine falls gracefully onto the hero’s shoulder. Except this is Audrey, and she’s dozing off mid-debate, not swooning after a grand romantic gesture. Her hair brushes against my neck, the soft strands tickling my skin.
“Looks like someone’s been burning the candle at both ends,” I murmur, but she’s already halfway to dreamland, her breath evening out. Her lips part slightly, a soft sigh escaping as she settles against me.
Her head lands gently on my shoulder, and I can’t help but think how right it feels. The weight of her, the warmth radiating from her body, it’s like a puzzle piece clicking into place. I stay perfectly still, not wanting to disturb her slumber. The warmth from where she rests against me sends a ripple of contentment through my veins, spreading from my chest to the tips of my fingers.
“Sleep well, Audrey,” I whisper, letting the steady rhythm of her breathing sync up with the hum of the plane. And just like that, I realize this flight might just be the longest—and shortest—five hours of my life.
I shift in my seat, angling my body to offer a makeshift pillow with the bulk of my shoulder. The airplane’s drone is a lullaby that seems to be working its magic on Audrey. Careful not to jostle her, I ease into a more comfortable position for the both of us. She sighs, the sound mingling with the soft whispers of the air vents, and snuggles in closer without waking. Her hand falls onto my thigh, the touch light and unintentional, but it sends a jolt of electricity through my body.
“Better?” I whisper, though I know she’s too far gone to answer. My voice is low, rough with an emotion I can’t quite name.
Under the dim cabin lights, I can’t help but study her face—relaxed, innocently unaware of the world passing by at thirty thousand feet. Her lashes fan out against her cheeks, dark against the pale skin, and there’s this unexpected surge of protectiveness that swells in my chest. I want to shield her from the hurt, from the heartbreak that brought tears to her eyes earlier. I want to be the one to make her smile, to make her laugh until she’s breathless .
I remember the countless times we’d play in her backyard as kids, how I’d pretend to be the knight slaying dragons to save her when Max, Ethan, and Caleb didn’t want to play with her. Funny how some things never change. Now here I am, years later, still wanting to shield her from anything that could cause her pain—like dragons or heartbreaks.
“Who knew Audrey McCallister would grow up so much?” I muse softly to myself, chuckling under my breath.
But I know I can’t go there. She’s Max’s little sister, and I’m just the guy who’s never had anything serious with a woman. And yet, with her head on my shoulder and her hand on my thigh, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to kiss her.
To do a little more with this precious woman.
I close my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, but they linger like the scent of her perfume, sweet and intoxicating. I take a deep breath, letting the recycled air fill my lungs, and try to focus on the present moment. Audrey is here to see her parents and just broke up with a guy. I need to keep my pants on and my focus on anything but her.
The world outside is a blur of clouds and sky as I watch Audrey sleep, her breaths steady and calm, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. I just recall her concerns, how her family is going to think she made up the boyfriend—fucking asshole.
I know she’s got that whole brave face thing down to an art—the McCallister special—but I can’t shake the feeling that she might crumble under the weight of her family’s expectations. The furrow between her brows deepens, as if even in sleep, she can’t quite escape the stress.
“Got your back, Audrey,” I whisper, more to myself than to her. It’s a silent promise, one I intend to keep. My hand twitches, itching to reach out and smooth away the worry lines, but I resist the urge.
She’s always been the type to put everyone else first, to ignore her own needs for the sake of others. And it’s not just because she’s the youngest child; it’s just who she is—selfless to a fault. I remember all those times when we were kids, she’d give up her last piece of candy or skip her turn at bat if it meant someone else would smile. Admirable, sure, but sometimes I wish she’d just be a little selfish.
I wish she’d put herself first, just once.
As the captain announces our descent into Boston, I feel the plane begin its gentle tilt toward the ground. The sudden shift pulls me back from my thoughts, reminding me that it’s time to bring Audrey back to the land of the living. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable loss of her warmth against my side.
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty, time to wake up,” I tease, nudging her shoulder lightly. My voice is soft, tinged with a fondness I can’t quite hide.
Her eyelids flutter open, revealing those familiar hazel eyes that always seem to hold a hint of mischief. “Mmm, do I at least get a prince out of it?” she mumbles, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her voice is husky, thick with the remnants of her nap.
“Sorry, princess, you’re stuck with the court jester for now.” I grin, watching her stretch and yawn, her body arching in a way that makes my mouth go dry. I force myself to look away, to focus on the seat belt sign that’s just pinged on.
She sits up, blinking owlishly as she takes in her surroundings. “How long was I out?” she asks, running a hand through her hair in a futile attempt to tame the sleep-mussed strands.
“Long enough to drool on my shoulder,” I tease, pointing to an imaginary spot on my shirt.
Her eyes widen, a blush creeping up her neck. “I did not,” she protests, swatting at my arm.
I laugh, holding up my hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, you didn’t. But you did snore a little.”
She narrows her eyes at me, her lips pursing in a way that makes me want to kiss the pout right off her face. “I do not snore.”
“You were breathing so heavily the captain asked me to control you?” I joke.
She glares at me. “I. Do. Not. Snore.”
“Whatever you say, princess.” I wink, feeling the atmosphere between us shift from sleepy and comfortable to something more charged, more electric.
We stand, gathering our belongings in a comfortable silence that’s punctuated by the occasional elbow jab. Our hands brush as we reach for our bags, and I feel a spark of electricity shoot up my arm. I glance at Audrey, wondering if she felt it too, but she’s focused on making sure that everything she got out of her purse during the flight is back in.
“Ready to tackle the McCallister extravaganza?” I ask as we step into the aisle, my voice low and teasing.
“Anniversary. It’s my parents’ anniversary,” she corrects me, rolling her eyes. “And only if you promise to save me from at least three awkward conversations with distant relatives.”
“Deal. But I get to use you as a shield when my mom starts grilling me about my love life.” I grin, picturing the inevitable interrogation.
“Fair enough,” she laughs, bumping her shoulder against mine. The contact sends a shiver down my spine, and I have to resist the urge to wrap my arm around her. “Looks like we’ll be each other’s human shields against the onslaught of Aunt Mildred’s cheek pinches and Uncle Bob’s bad toupee jokes.”
“Don’t forget the ever-present threat of your grandma’s mystery casserole,” I add, shuddering at the memory of her culinary disasters.
“Oh God, it’s been almost ten years. I thought we agreed never to speak of that again,” she groans, covering her face with her hands. “I swear, I can still taste the burnt raisins and the unidentifiable lumpy bits.”
“We’ll pretend to eat it, and I’ll protect you from anything else,” I promise.
“You’re the best.”
“Don’t forget it,” I say, casually as I lean in close, my breath ghosting over her ear. “Besides, there’s no one else I’d rather have by my side, holding my hand through the week.
She shivers, and I can’t help but smirk, pleased with the effect I have on her. She looks up at me through her lashes, her hazel eyes sparkling with something that looks like anticipation. “Careful, Liam. Keep talking like that, and people might start to get the wrong idea.”
“Or the right one,” I counter, my voice dropping an octave. I hold her gaze, letting the moment stretch between us, heavy with unspoken possibilities.
She swallows, her tongue darting out to wet her lips, and I have to clench my fists to keep from pulling her into my arms and kissing her senseless. Thank fuck, before I can do something reckless, the line starts moving, and the spell is broken.