Chapter 22
Jamie arrived at the airport just before seven, coffee in one hand, nerves tucked neatly under his well-fitted denim jacket.
His carry-on was packed with far too many just in case outfits – including the tight jeans Ryan insisted on and a dangerously flirty shirt Shona claimed could “cause scandal with one button.”
This is a mistake.
A beat.
I’m very excited about it.
He spotted the travel team gathered near the gate – chattering, caffeinated, buzzing.
And then…
Blake arrived.
Black coat. Sunglasses. Duffel slung over his shoulder.
Effortlessly cool. Unfairly attractive.
Jamie’s stomach flipped.
Blake saw him instantly.
Of course he did.
“Morning, Capulet,” Blake said, falling into step beside him. “Nervous?”
“Should I be?”
Blake’s gaze lingered – just slightly – on his jacket, his collar, the line of his shoulders.
“Only if you’re afraid of confined spaces,” he said smoothly, “long stares… and intense proximity.”
Jamie blinked. “We’re sitting together, aren’t we?”
Blake smirked. “You think I’d let anyone else have the window seat?”
Jamie stared.
Blake leaned in just enough. “You told me you liked it. Said watching the clouds makes you feel small in a good way.”
Jamie swallowed.
He really does remember everything.
They boarded early – thanks to Blake’s I-travel-so-much-I-might-as-well-own-the-airport energy.
First class.
Side by side.
Window and aisle.
No one else in their row.
Jamie sank into his seat, glancing out at the sky just starting to glow gold.
Blake sat beside him, tossing his coat overhead, stretching out like he belonged everywhere he landed.
Then he turned.
Toward Jamie.
“So,” Blake said, voice smooth, “how’s your heart rate?”
Jamie raised an eyebrow. “Fine. Why?”
“No turbulence yet,” Blake replied. “Just checking.”
Jamie smirked. “If you start spilling secrets, I’m ready.”
Blake leaned closer. “Want one now? Just to warm up?”
Jamie nodded.
Blake held his gaze.
“You in this jacket?” he murmured. “Might be the death of me.”
Jamie blinked. “That’s not a secret. That’s a flirt.”
Blake grinned. “You didn’t say what kind of secret.”
Unfair.
The plane lifted.
Jamie turned to the window, cheeks warm, fighting a smile. “You’re impossible.”
Blake’s voice dropped. “Only when I want to be.”
Thirty minutes in, the cabin settled.
Lights dimmed. Laptops opened. Conversations softened into quiet.
Blake leaned toward him again.
Closer this time.
Close enough that Jamie could feel the heat of him without touching.
“You know,” Blake murmured, “last time we were on a plane, you told me all your secrets while panicking.”
Jamie huffed a soft laugh. “Yeah. I remember.”
Blake’s knuckles brushed his arm.
Light.
Intentional.
“You’re different now,” Blake said. “Calm. Comfortable.”
“Mostly,” Jamie said, trying for casual.
Not even close.
Blake tilted his head. “So what do I get this time?”
Jamie glanced at him. “What do you want?”
Blake’s smile shifted.
Slower.
Something under it now.
“A real kiss.”
Jamie froze.
“One not meant for show,” Blake added quietly. “One that says you’re not pretending anymore.”
Jamie’s breath caught.
Oh.
Blake leaned in slightly.
Not touching.
Close enough that it would only take…
“Not here,” Jamie whispered.
Not a no.
Not even close.
Blake’s gaze flicked to his mouth, then back up.
“Not yet,” he agreed.
He leaned back.
But not far.
Never far.
His fingers rested along the armrest, just brushing Jamie’s.
“You’re doing it again,” Jamie muttered.
“Doing what?”
“Turning up the tension.”
Blake’s smirk returned, softer now. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
That felt like a promise.
Jamie turned back to the window.
The clouds stretched endlessly beneath them.
Soft. Bright. Untouchable.
And beside him…
Blake.
Close. Real. Waiting.
Jamie smiled to himself, heart racing.
And 30,000 feet above the world, with everything shifting into something undeniable…
he knew.
This wasn’t just a flight.
This was takeoff.