Chapter 16 – Katie
Sixteen
PRESENT DAY
KATIE
On the first day of the wedding party, I buckled my seatbelt on the plane, grateful I had the first two seats in first class to myself.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the doors to the jetport will shut within the next five minutes,” the pilot’s voice floated through the speakers. “If you wish to depart the aircraft, now is the time to do so.”
Adjusting my neck pillow, I looked out the window—taking in my final view of New York for the next three weeks.
“Would you like a drink before takeoff, Miss Elizabeth?” a flight attendant asked.
“Um…” I desperately wanted a cup of green tea, but I’d heard one too many horror stories about the water on planes.
“No, I’m okay.” I shook my head. “Thank you.”
As I watched the air traffic controllers waving their wands, the seat next to me dipped.
So much for having the row to myself…
“Sorry, I put my notebook in your—” I stopped talking when I saw my seatmate holding out my pink folder.
Wearing a crisp white T-shirt that clung to his abs and dark blue jeans, Asher was smiling at me.
I didn’t smile back.
“I’m pretty sure I paid for the window seat,” he said. “You can move out of it now.”
“I’m already comfortable.”
“And? Don’t make me call the flight attendant over this.”
“Really?” I crossed my arms. “You’re going to make me move?”
“Would you ask me to move if things were reversed?”
Absolutely. “No.” I shook my head. “I would be mature and treat you to a drink.”
“The drinks in first class are free.”
“I would still treat you to one and be very nice, since I could see that you’re struggling with a very difficult job.”
“You’re a bigger person than me, then.” He smiled. “Move. Now.”
I groaned and unbuckled my seatbelt.
As I was preparing to stand, Asher laughed and settled into the aisle seat.
“So, I don’t need to move anymore?” I asked.
“Not unless you want to sit in my lap.” His dimples deepened.
“I’ll pass.”
“I just wanted to see if you’d actually move for me,” he said. “You can keep the window seat.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly. “Does this mean you’re staying in Punta Cana for the entire three weeks?”
“Unless we get our secret little job done a lot sooner, yes.”
Before I could tell him that “we” didn’t have a secret little job, the flight attendant moved in front of our row.
“Hi.” She looked at him, her cheeks reddening by the second.
“Hello,” he said.
“Would you like something to drink before takeoff?” she asked.
“Maybe. What do you have?”
“Whatever you want…”
Asher flashed her a different shade of his perfect smile, and she looked as if she was about to combust on the spot.
“I’ll have a shot of bourbon,” he said. “My seatmate would like a cup of green tea. Can you use distilled water for her, though?”
I can’t believe he remembered that.
“Absolutely.” She walked away, and I shook my head.
“I bet it gives you a high to see that everywhere you go, women blush at the sight of you.”
“You must’ve never noticed the way men look at you.” He faced me. “Do you get a high?”
“I don’t pay much attention.”
“Same.”
To prevent myself from extending that conversation, I pulled out my “Upcoming receptions” binder and flipped to the one that was eight months from now.
The Sarah and Charlie Stabler Wedding. Copper Rose Ranch in Livingston, Montana…
“Are you planning to work this entire flight?” Asher asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because the other option is talking to you, and I don’t think anything good comes of that after about five minutes…”
“Fair enough,” he said. “Will your plus one be coming to the wedding later?”
“Yes. Brad will be coming during week two.” I lied. “And your plus one?”
He didn’t answer.
He looked at me like I’d just slapped him across the face, and for a moment I considered telling him the truth, but he put in his AirPods.
He didn’t look my way for the entire flight.