Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
“How’s school?” I ask, sliding down the wall to sit beside her on the ground.
She smiles. “Going good. I’m almost done.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. Honestly, it may sound funny, or silly, but I still don’t know what I want to do with my life.”
My eyes meet hers. “I think that’s normal at your age.”
“Not for you. Did you always know you wanted to play hockey?”
I nod. “Yeah. Ever since I was a kid when my father threw a pair of skates on me and taught me how to play.”
“See. You knew exactly what you wanted and you went for it. It’s why you’re so successful.” She slumps beside me. “I have no clue what I want.”
I smile at her. “You’re still young. You have plenty of time to figure it out.” My breath hitches in my throat as our eyes meet, and I swear she doesn’t feel so young. The air’s charged between us, and I smile.
“Yeah, I guess,” she finally says.
“I don’t think I’m really one to hand out life advice anyway.”
Her eyebrow arches. “Why’s that?”
I glance up at the ceiling, looking for the exact way I want to tell her what I’m trying to say, but before I can say anything the doors open wide.
“Excuse me, we’re going to start boarding now, and we figured you two would board first,” the flight attendant says.
I nod, getting to my feet quickly. I reach my hand down for Noelle, and when her tiny hand slips inside mine, it’s like a spark ignites deep within my system. “Sure thing,” I tell the flight attendant.
Together, we follow her down the bridgeway, and I head to my seat in first class.
Noelle stares at her ticket on her phone. “I’m all the way in the back,” she says with a small smile. “With the common folk.”
“Take my seat,” I tell her, not able to live with myself if I don’t offer Noelle all the comforts of first class. Her smile alone is deserving enough of the seat.
Chapter 3
Noelle
“I can not take your seat,” I say, sounding horrified. “First, I’d never hear the end of it from my father. He’d say you need the leg room.” I glance down at his legs, but instead get caught up at the crotch of his jeans. I snap my eyes back up. “I’ll be back in coach.” I turn to head in that direction, and York stops me, grabbing on my arm.
“Wait. I can’t let you not have first class. You deserve it.”
I scoff, rather loudly. “I assure you. I don’t.”
“How about an upgrade,” a flight attendant says. Her bright blue eyes focus right on York. She’s tall, blonde, and beautiful in a bubbly-sort-of way. In an every-man-would-be-crazy-not-to-want-her way.
York smiles, barely noticing her as his smile is aimed at me. “Great. Noelle, you’re up here by me.”
I nod, not wanting to make a fuss as I can already see the first few passengers about to board. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
“It’s not,” York says, like he owns the airline. He grabs my carry on with one hand and secures it above our heads. “Sit,” he demands, and I do.
I realize I sort of like his bossy side, or either I’m willing to do anything the man ever asks of me. It’s absurd. I’ve had this crush on him forever, and now that we’re in this close space, I can’t think of anything to say to him. “Thanks,” I say, lamely. I plop down into the seat, pulling my phone out of my pocket.
Me: About to take off. See you soon.
Annabelle: Can’t wait!!!
My best friend, Annabelle. She’s still living in Colorado, on the same block as my parents. She’s married with a few kids, but every time I’m in town I make it a point to catch up with her.
Annabelle: Saw online that you're flying with York. Are you all dating?
Me: No, stupid press. I wish they’d leave celebrities alone.
Annabelle: Either way, must be a nice flight. You get to sit by him the whole time.
I chew nervously on my bottom lip, wondering if I should tell her that we’re sitting together or not. I decide not to add fuel to the fire.
Me: We didn’t book our flights together. He’s in first class.
Annabelle: Maybe you should head to the bathroom mid flight and fall into his lap.
I shake my head, staring at my phone like Annabelle is crazy, because she is.
Me: That’s a horrible idea.
“I always hate these things,” York says, snatching my attention away from the phone in my hand.
“What things?” I push my phone back into my purse.
“Planes.” York’s eyes glance nervously around. “I’ve always been a bit scared of them.”
“But you fly all the time.” I’m gobsmacked that a man who pretty much lives on planes could be scared.
He shifts closer, his shoulder touching mine. “It’s the takeoff. Like I feel like we’re just going to fall out of the sky.”