Page 42 of In Flight

That’s when I discover my suspicions were correct.

Isaac dressed up too.

He’s got on a pine-green oxford that’s tucked neatly into his pants. He’s wearing a belt and nice leather shoes.

He looks like he’s on his way to a date.

I’m having to hide my giddiness as he takes his seat and shoots me a wary look.

“You look good,” I tell him.

“Yeah?” His mouth softens, and his eyes glint with warm laughter. “All my other stuff was in the laundry.”

“That’s what I figured.” I try for serene sobriety as I shrug off my jacket and stuff it under the seat in front of me with my bag. “I had the same problem.”

I’m only looking at him with quick, darting glances, but I see his eyes heat up as they move from my face, down my body, and back up again, lingering on my neckline. Suddenly self-conscious beneath my amusement, I let some of my hair fall forward as a curtain.

Isaac gently pushes it back behind my ear. “You’re beautiful.”

My lips quiver slightly as I try to control the feeling that’s threatening to spill out of me.

“No use trying to hide it. Your dimples give you away every time.”

I try for an indignant huff, but it comes out as a laugh instead.

“There it is,” Isaac murmurs.

“There’s what?”

“There’s the real River.”

I’m flushing but too happy to be bashful. “So what’s in there?” I ask, nodding toward the paper bag that’s now positioned between his feet.

“You’ll find that out eventually.”

“Why can’t I find it out now?”

“Because it’s not time yet.” He glances toward the flight attendant, who has stood up to model the seat belt operation while the recorded instructions play through the speakers.

I relax back into my seat, relenting about waiting until whatever time Isaac decides is appropriate for the contents of that bag.

While I don’t know for sure, I can’t help but suspect it has something to do with me.

“How was your weekend?” he asks as the plane starts to move.

“It was fine. We got the flowers and the menu finalized. And I’ve got all the illustrations she wants finished.”

“Like the guest book you were designing?”

“Yes. And the menu cards and name cards and directions to the reception venue and some signage and all the extra invitations to the prewedding events. It ended up being quite a lot.”

“It sounds like it. So did you do anything this weekend except work on the wedding?”

I consider the question. “Well, I slept. And ate a few meals. And I went on a drive with my dad.”

“You did? A drive where?”

“Just down the coast. We used to do that sometimes when I was growing up. When my mom was really stressing me out or when I was upset about my sister getting all the attention. He’d just put me in the car and start driving. We’d stop for a milkshake and keep going. He’d play my favorite music or get me to talk about things in my life.” I’m smiling as I close my eyes, momentarily lost in the memories. “I loved it.”

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