Page 75 of That First Flight

“I’ve watched too many people from my hometown in Montana fall into a bad habit when it came to alcohol. I’ve watched people's lives change from it. So when I had Mackenzie, I told myself that I’d never allow it to potentially have control over me and wanted to just focus on being the best mom I could be.”

“I can respect that,” Avery says.

“I agree with Avery,” Peyton says. “How is Mackenzie feeling?”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. I should have known these girls wouldn’t be like everyone else in my life.

“She’s so much better, like it never even happened. But it truly was one of the scariest days of my life.”

Peyton shakes her head. “I can only imagine. There was one time when I was still nannying James and he got really sick. I felt so helpless. It was horrible.”

I’m confused by her statement. I had no idea she was ever their nanny. I actually assumed she was James’ mom with the way he adores her and the ways she is with him.

“Nanny?” I ask.

She chuckles. “Fun fact, I worked for Thomas before I ever became his wife.”

The table erupts in a fit of laughter. I nervously smile as I look around the table wondering what everyone is laughing about and why it’s so funny.

“It was straight out of one of her romance books,” Kali says first.

“The single dad falls for the hot nanny,” Avery says. “Gets me every single time.”

My eyes continue to bounce to each girl at the table in confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I’m sorry, Macey.” Peyton’s laughing fit finally dies down. “We’re avid readers here. Do you read at all?”

“I love to read.” Everyone stops moving as if I just said something wrong. “What?”

“How do you love reading and have never heard of this particular romance trope?” Avery asks.

“What’s a trope?”

“Oh, babe. We have a lot to teach you.” Avery laughs.

Emiline leans in to whisper in my ear, “Don’t worry. I don’t get it much either but some of their books aren’t bad.”

Kali leans in, elbows on the table as she clasps her hands together. “First, we need to know what type of books youdoread?”

“Mostly culinary education books I find in the library.”

“Yawn.” Avery emphasizes by stretching her arms out in the air. “Girl, you need some spice in your life.’

“I mean… I’m a chef. So I have plenty of that.”

The girls laugh. “That was a good chef joke, but that’s not what we mean,” Peyton says.

“Adult romance books,” Avery says. “You need romance books with spice.”

Wait, are these girls talking about reading books with people having sex in them? I’ve heard about these before but I never knew people actually read them. It’s not something I can relate to since I’ve never even watched porn myself, let alonereadit.

“Woah, woah.” I hold up my hands. “I don’t know about all of that. That’s a little… weird?”

“Sex is a totally normal thing. Reading it just elevates the actual act. Really gets you going if you know what I mean.” Avery winks.

“Reading spicy books is like a drug,” Kali adds. “Once you start, you literally can’t stop.”

“I agree with them.” Peyton nods.

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