Page 112 of That First Flight

So we’ve spent the last hour talking about the last book we all read over a charcuterie board full of a variety of cheeses. Kali made sure to include vegan options for Peyton and I love how these girls look out for each other.

“Oliver just asked us to go on a trip with him,” I finally answer.

“He what?” Peyton practically screams.

My eyes widen at her reaction, as if that was truly the last thing she expected to hear.

“It’s just… wow,” she says, shaking her head but also has a smile plastered on her mouth.

“Oliver doesn’t travel with anyone.Ever,” Kali says for her.

“He doesn’t? Why?”

“Who knows?” Kali shrugs as she goes for another piece of cheese and crackers.

“It’s sort of his thing,” Peyton adds. “He likes traveling alone because he feels at peace, or something like that. And he can do things without worrying about what other people want to do. He just likes doing his own thing.”

That leaves the question swirling around my brain… Why is he asking me to go on a trip with him? And not just me, but Mackenzie too.

With that thought, I can’t help but smile down at my phone.

I don’t care how crazy I look when I do it because this man has grown to be more than I ever imagined he would be. This should terrify me, but it doesn’t. There’s something about him and how careful he’s been with my heart that makes me want toscreamyes.

I’ve noticed a massive shift in myself from the time I got in Oliver’s pickup truck to leave Roxbury, until now. I no longer feel on edge. In fact, I feel more carefree than I ever have. I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of now. Mackenzie is happy. We have a roof over our head. I have the job I’ve always dreamed of. And…

Oliver.

I know they say you don’t need a man to make you feel complete, that you don’t need a man to realize your worth. But it’s nice to have a partner who pushes you to be better in all aspects of life.

Is that what we are? Together? I don’t know where we stand.

But Lord help me, I want it all with him.

“I think I’m going to say yes,” I finally tell the girls.

“I think you totally should,” Kali agrees while Peyton giggles and kicks her feet in excitement on the couch next to me.

“Yes. Yes. Yes,” Peyton bellows. “I love this so much. Do you know where the trip is?”

“Let me ask.”

Where are we heading?

Oliver

The way you just worded that makes me want to come home right now.

I wouldn’t be opposed to that.

Oliver

You’re absolutely killing me.

And to answer your question, we’re going down to Wilmington, North Carolina.

“He said Wilmington, North Carolina.” I tell Peyton.

“Oh my god. First of all, that place is adorable. Second of all, did he say when?”

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