Page 83 of The Red-Hot Stakes

I peered into the cabin, eager for my first peek. The eight seats were divided into two single file rows separated by an aisle. The seats were paired off so Rhonda and Avery faced each other from their seats along the far wall, and two empty ones faced each other to my immediate right. It was like our own little girls’ section.

The guys were in the back, Derek’s seat butted up back-to-back with Avery’s as he faced Greg. A slightly tipsy Avery yelled my name, holding a partially full glass of champagne aloft.

“Hey, everyone.” My smile dimmed as Liam’s gorgeous face registered like a fist slamming into my gut.

He didn’t even react, just blinked and turned away to face the back of the plane.

“We thought we’d start off guys and girls,” Avery tried to whisper, failing miserably.

I exchanged an amused glance with Rhonda. This would be a long six hours with Ave already so far gone. Maybe she’d calm down once she got some food in her.

The captain introduced himself, and the lady I’d thought was the flight attendant turned out to be the copilot. She topped off our glasses before they disappeared into the cockpit. Hopefully, the takeoff was smooth, or we’d be wasting champagne.

We were in the air in no time, all sparkling liquid accounted for. Then Avery announced it was time for Thanksgiving dinner. I’d hardly ever had a meal on a plane, let alone what could only be called a feast. We each had a fancy takeout container piled high with hot food—turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce.

As we ate, Rhonda loosened up as well, and Derek even smiled at me. Maybe this trip wouldn’t be hell after all.

After dinner, Avery leaned over to whisper, “I have something I’ve been dying to show you, but I don’t want Derek to see.”

Mischief danced in her grin, and I knew it was another peace offering, another way to bring us together and bridge the gap. Although it sounded like a bad idea, considering Ave was anything but discreet at the moment.

I turned to warn Derek. “We’re having a girls’ moment here. Guys, avert your eyes. Maybe your ears, for good measure.”

Rhonda laughed. “That should do it.”

Avery fumbled in her backpack, pulling out a black plastic bag. Rhonda and I huddled around her, blocking the guys’ view—just in case.

“Remember how Derek left Selena instructions for me to have plenty of lingerie for the honeymoon?” She must have filled Rhonda in, since she didn’t seem the least bit surprised. “Well, I thought I’d pay him back and make him dress up too.” She pulled a package out of the bag and said, “Ta-da!”

I stared at it for a minute, not quite understanding. “What in the world?”

It was some sort of costume, but in the shape of a tube with a uniform printed on it. Maybe it’s supposed to be a pilot…or a captain? There was even a little black mustache and above it a small hat with an elastic band.

Giggles erupted from Avery at our confused expression. “It’s a penis costume! I got it from Etsy.”

A crinkle formed in Rhonda’s forehead. “A what?”

“Derek’s supposed to put that on his dick?” I asked, studying the picture more closely.

Avery nodded. “And since my nickname for him is Captain…”

All the pieces clicked together, a picture forming in my mind of Avery pulling out this tiny costume and explaining it to Derek. On their wedding night.

I burst out laughing. Rhonda’s shoulders shook. All the guys turned in our direction, but Avery quickly stuffed the costume back into the bag.

Any time we glanced at each other, one of us would go off again, unable to rein in our giggles. My cheeks were wet, and my sides hurt by the time I flopped back in my seat. Penis costumes. What would they think of next?

Six hours was a decent chunk of time. The couples inevitably paired off, especially when Avery wanted to use Derek as her footrest and try to sleep for a while.

Rhonda scooted into the seat facing me after Derek moved up with Avery. It was the first time she’d initiated contact, and I eyed her warily.

“Gina, I know things haven’t been…easy on you lately.” She rested her elbows on her knees, leaning in close to me. “After I saw you at Lit, I was concerned about how much weight you lost. I know you’ve been working out, but um…” She paused, brushing back a piece of her hair.

Unease rolled in my stomach as I wondered where she was going with this.

“After Kevin tried to assault me, I really struggled.”

The matter-of-fact way she said it caught me off guard. I remembered Avery and Derek’s concern after the incident, but I’d figured it wasn’t really my business.

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