Page 114 of That First Flight

“Yeah?” Mackenzie calls out.

“Hey, babe. How’s your movie marathon?”

“It’s so good,” she says, keeping her eyes fixed on the TV.

“I have a question for you.”

She pauses the TV and sits up in her bed. “Yeah?”

I make my way to her bed to sit on the edge of it. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.

“So Oliver texted me and asked if we wanted to take a trip with him down to North Carolina.”

“Wow,” Mackenzie interrupts before I can say more.

“I know.” I let out a light laugh. “I was telling Peyton about it and she said you can hang out with her for the weekend instead if you wanted. He invited both of us but we want to leave the decision up to you. Do you want to go on the trip or do you want to stay with Peyton for the weekend?”

Mackenzie doesn’t answer me back right away and I can tell the decision is swimming around her mind with what she wants to do.

“Would you be mad if I stayed with Peyton?”

“Absolutely not, babe. I’m leaving the decision completely up to you. But are you okay if I go away?”

“Yeah.” She nods. “I’ll miss you a lot, but you kinda need a vacation.”

“Oh, do I?” I offer her a smile.

Mackenzie giggles. “You do. You’ve always worked too much. Plus, I love hanging out with Mrs. Peyton and James. And it’ll only be for a weekend.”

“Okay.” I nod. “Then it’s settled. We both will get a fun weekend out of it.”

“It’s settled,” she agrees.

“Go back to your movie,” I say as I stand and leave her room.

“Hey, Mom,” Mackenzie calls out.

I turn around, standing in her doorway and my eyes lock with hers. “Yeah?”

“I love you.”

My heart flutters in my chest. “I love you too, baby. To the moon, stars and Jupiter.”

I retreat back to the living room where I find Peyton and Kali laughing about whatever they were just talking about. I plop down on the couch next to them.

“So, are you sure you’re okay with Mackenzie staying with you?”

“One hundred percent.” Peyton smiles widely. “This will be so good for all of you.”

My nerves dance around my entire body.

A weekend with Oliver. Alone.

I can’t deny that I want that alone time with him more than anything. I want a chance for us to get closer than we already are, a getaway from the hustle and bustle of work and the city.

It’s time to finally stop fighting these feelings I have for him and take action.

I pull out my phone to send him a quick text.

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