Page 90 of Engulfing Emma

Emma

“Nervous?” Brett asks, as we’re escorted onto the tarmac.

“As nervous as anyone else would be who’s never been in an airplane.”

“You’ve been on a roller coaster before, haven’t you?” he asks.

“Sure. Evelyn loves them.”

“Takeoff and landing are kind of like riding on a roller coaster. Everything in between is amazing, especially if you have a window seat.”

“Window seat. Got it.”

I look at the long, sleek plane, in awe that Brett was able to make this happen. “Are we really the only people going on the plane?”

“Us and the two pilots.”

“And you really didn’t have to pay anything for this?”

He laughs. “If you think I can afford thirty thousand dollars on my salary, you’re crazy.”

My jaw drops. “That’s what it costs to do this? Oh my God. And this is a thing? People pay that?”

“They pay a lot more than that. That’s just for a two-hour flight. It goes up from there.”

I’m stunned. Do people really have nothing better to do with their money?

A man who looks like a pilot approaches us.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Brett says, giving him a hug.

“It’s my pleasure.”

“Christian Merric, meet Emma Lockhart.”

Christian shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you. I hear we’re going to pop your cherry.”

“My, uh …” I feel my face turn beet red. What does he think is going to happen on this plane?

“You know, your first flight,” Christian says. “I’m glad I get to be the one to take you up.”

“Oh, right.” I feel stupid for thinking anything else.

“Don’t worry,” he says. “The conditions look perfect. We’ll take good care of you. My copilot is already onboard.” He gestures to the stairway leading up to the plane. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”

I follow Christian and Brett onto the plane, amazed at what I’m seeing. I’m not sure what I thought it would look like, but it wasn’t this. Brett was right. It is like the inside of a limousine. Only thirty-thousand times better.

Behind the cockpit are six rows of seats facing each other, one seat on either side of the aisle. Behind them is a couch that extends along one side of the plane. Opposite the couch is a bar and a flat-screen TV.

“Help yourself to drinks. Just make sure all the bottles are secure for takeoff and landing. In the back is a bathroom. It’s small but nice. We’ll be in the air two hours. We leave in about ten minutes. I’ll announce over the intercom when you should prepare for takeoff and then a short safety video will play on the TV.” He points to various places that have call buttons. “Use one of those if you need to talk to me. Otherwise we’ll stay up front so you can enjoy your privacy.”

“Did you just wink?” I ask him, irritated. I look at Brett. “What did you tell him? Does he think we’re going to join the Mile-High Club or something?”

Both men try to contain their laughter.

“Of course not,” Brett says. “I didn’t tell him anything except this would be your first flight.”

Christian backs away, looking embarrassed. “We always stay up front. I didn’t mean to offend you. I hope you enjoy your flight, Emma. I’ll see you after.”

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