Page 28 of Finish Line

“Well, no worries, you’re in expert hands. On the plus side, the weather is clear the entire way to Hawaii.” The co-pilot turns around, enters the front of the plane, and closes the door between us.

I settle back in my seat. Hawaii. I’m about to fly to Hawaii.

The plane shifts, causing me to grab at the armrest of my overly plush chair, my nails digging in and probably causing damage to the expensive leather. I draw in a deep breath as the plane picks up speed, charging down the runway, followed by a moment of heaviness as the nose of the plane tips toward the sky.

Spots darken my vision, and I exhale on a whimper, not realizing I was holding my breath.

I steel myself before glancing out the window next to me, watching the ground falls farther away. Homes become the size of Legos, and cars shrink to the size of ants before those, too, become unrecognizable.

A puff of white passes the window, and my mouth drops open, my eyes widening in wonder.

We just flew through a cloud!

It looks so soft and wispy. I always imagined clouds looking more solid up close. I mean, clouds are just water vapor suspended in the atmosphere, but the child in me always dreamed of bouncing around in the sky from one big white puff to another.

I giggle and shake my head, relaxing a bit now that the take-off is behind me.

Once the plane levels off, the co-pilot returns. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

“A bed,” I joke.

He smiles. “Follow me, please.”

Furrowing my eyebrows, I unbuckle and follow him toward the back of the plane to another door I missed upon entering the plane. He pushes the handle down, and the door swings open to reveal a plush bedroom with an almost wall-to-wall king-sized bed covered in what looks like the softest comforter.

“Of course, they would have a bedroom,” I mumble.

The co-pilot chuckles. “I’ll wake you up when we get close.”

As he steps back, moving to close the door between us, I throw out a hand. “Wait!”

He pauses with the door halfway closed, waiting to see what I need.

“Please, don’t try to wake me up.” Embarrassed, I lower my head, my body shaking at the idea of someone touching me while I’m unconscious. “Is there an alarm or something I can just use instead?”

Without entering the room, he points out the clock. “There is a time change between here and Hawaii. We have already adjusted the clock to Hawaiian time. If you need anything, press the button on the table to the right of the bed to alert us in the cock-pit.”

He nods toward the button. “I will knock and wait for your permission to enter or for you to open the door. The door also has a lock. Also, that door leads to the master bathroom with a toilet and a shower. Buzz if you need anything.”

I smile, thanking him, closing the door myself before locking it. I strip off my shoes and pants and crawl into bed, dropping off to sleep.

CHAPTER EIGHT

SHELBY

I’ve been in Hawaii for one day, so it’s time I tell Nick and Cin that I’m alive and safe.

Me: Hi.

Nick doesn’t text back right away. Shit, I forgot about the time difference.

Nick: Are you all right?

Me: Getting there. I guess you got my note. I’m safe.

Nick: Yes. We were worried when you didn’t call or text for almost a day.

Me: I was traveling, and I took a nap.

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