Page 18 of Changed Plan

“Thanks again. You should go. This isn’t a nude bar.”

“I’m wearing pants.”

Her gaze falls again, much lower this time. And she yanks it back up twice as fast.

I like the smile she’s wearing now. It’s got a hint of deviousness that wasn’t there before.

“You really could come back up with me,” I say, hoping against all known odds.

She shakes her head. “And you really should go.”

“Not even a goodbye kiss?”

The bartender smirks and turns away as if he hasn’t been watching us. I don’t care. Let the whole airport watch.

Darby leans forward and kisses me softly on the cheek. “Sleep tight.”

“You are an evil, evil woman.”

“Compliments won’t change my mind.”

I kiss her cheek in return, but before I walk away, I run my fingers through her hair. She shivers slightly, and goosebumps appear on her arms.

“If you come upstairs with me, I promise to kiss away that chill.”

“Zane. Go before you end up on a no-fly list.”

I’m not upset at the rejection. I knew it was coming, but the snow is falling again, so there’s very little chance of planes flying out of here tomorrow, which increases my chances with her. And I intend to seize every moment I can.

Those goosebumps were for me. I did that to her. And I could so much more if she’d give me a chance.

“Don’t stay up all night. I don’t want you to fall asleep in your pancakes in a few hours.”

Her teasing smile lingers, but I know she won’t change her mind. Still, this is the longest I’ve ever seen her smile, and that’s progress.

The conditions outside are getting worse, and I’ve never been happier to have a day go so wrong.

7

Darby

Iwakeupsmilingandimmediately drag my hand across my mouth as if to physically wipe it away. My eyes strain against the brightness beyond the window. What the hell? Was I smiling in my sleep? I had to have been.

How many people saw me like that? I’m curled into a seat on the end of a row facing the window, so hopefully, not too many. The blanket Zane brought me was tucked under my chin while I slept. It falls to my lap when I unfold my legs and stretch.

This blanket is the reason I woke up with a smile on my face. Okay, truthfully, it was the shirtless delivery I’d been dreaming about. And the sweatpants. I still can’t believe he walked halfway across the terminal like that.

Shit. I’m smiling again.

I pull my ugly carry-on out from under my seat and crouch on the floor to shove the blanket inside it. A woman a few seats down compliments the bag. She’s sincere, and if I didn’t need this thing, I’d give it to her.

“Thanks. I hope we can get out of here today.”

She laughs and nods at the window. “That would take a miracle.”

I force myself to look over my shoulder and face the reality. The snowfall is light now, just tiny flakes, but they’re falling on deep drifts. As I watch, they begin to swirl. Turning away quickly, I tell myself the storm’s not picking back up. It’s just a slight wind.

Dragging my bag along behind me, I step in line for the bathroom. Everyone is putting their travel-sized toiletries from the airline to use this morning.

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