Page 29 of That First Flight

As if Macey can sense me standing there, her head turns and that same smile stays as she makes her way over to me. My feet refuse to move from the place I’m rooted in. I can’t help but notice she’s not in her normal work attire. She’s wearing a pair of black leggings with short fur booties and an oversized sweater.

Something about the way she wears her hair down in those loose curls and how radiating her smile is right now has the ability to bring me to my knees for her.

Fuuuck me.

What the hell is wrong with me today?

“I was hoping you’d come in today,” she says, breaking my spell on her. “I have no way of getting in touch with you since I don’t have your number or anything.”

I take one step that brings me closer to her, a grin splitting my cheeks. “You want my number, Macey Nicole Evans?”

“That is not my middle name,” she scoffs playfully.

“Are you going to make me guess?” I ask.

She laughs and opens her mouth as if she’s about to say it, but Mackenzie coming out of the kitchen interrupts her.

“Ollie!” She beams before bulldozing me with a hug around my waist, a hug I didnotexpect after only spending about five minutes total with her.

“Hey there, killer.” I wrap an arm around her shoulder to return the embrace. “Getting some lunch today?”

“Nah.” She shakes her head. “We’re waiting for someone mom knows to show up and take us to the city to live with them.”

I smirk down at her before bringing my gaze up to Macey. Her cheeks turn fire engine red with embarrassment and shock. “Are you now?”

“Mom wasnotwanting to go. At all. You know, the whole stranger thing.” She leans in close to whisper to me, but her voice is a normal volume. “She gets a little bit of anxiety about things. She worries a lot.”

“Hey! I heard that,” Macey exclaims.

“Sorry, Mom. But you know I’m right. You also know that this is such a good idea and I’m so happy I talked you into it.”

“Did you now?” I raise a brow to answer Mackenzie, but keep my eyes on Macey.

“Yup! I just know that we’re going to thrive so hard out there.”

“Who are you?” Macey cuts in.

“I told you.” She turns to face her mom. “I get all of my bests from you. That includes my brain.” She taps the side of her head.

“She’s not wrong,” I say with a wink.

“I don’t know who we’re meeting or anything,” Mackenzie continues. “They might show up. They might not. But we’re freakin’ ready!” She covers her mouth. “Sorry for the curse word, Mom. I’m just so excited. Like, I’m not excited for the whole switching schools thing again. But I did some research on some schools there and they are just seem so much better than this place. Their curriculum is… chef’s kiss.” She emphasizes her rambling words with a kiss to her fingers before throwing them in the air. “I bet I’ll make so many new friends too.”

I blink at her, unmoving. “Who are you? And did you just say curriculum?”

“I’m Mackenzie. Duh.” She rolls her eyes and lift her chin. “And yes. I think it means the classes you take. And the word sounded really cool to say out loud.”

The three of us pause for a brief pause before we all burst out in laughter at her antics.

“Why don’t we grab some lunch before we head out,” I announce. “I’m starving.”

Mackenzie’s eyes bounce between Macey and I. “Wait. Are you coming too? Do you think they have room for all of us?”

“Last I heard, I was the lucky guy taking you back to the city.”

“You are?” Her eyes widen with excitement like a toddler on Christmas morning. I know what that looks like from being around James on the holidays. “Oh my God, MOM!! This is so amazing! Ollie is so cool! Have you seen his awesome camera yet? He let me use it and it was just so awesome! Oh my God!” She squeals in excitement.

I lean into Macey to ask her in a hushed tone. “Did she have coffee or an energy drink or something today?”

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