Page 71 of In Flight

Epilogue

AYEAR LATER, I’M ALMOSTto the front of the boarding line when I realize I left my sketchbook in the seat at the gate where I was waiting earlier. I have to walk over to grab it and then get at the end of the line.

Not that it matters. Isaac isn’t even here yet.

I wait my turn to be scanned and allowed on the plane, and then I wait some more as all the passengers who got on first stow their luggage and situate themselves. By the time I reach my normal seat—the far back corner window seat—the flight attendant is already walking through and closing the overhead compartments.

After checking my phone, I’m relieved when a text pops onto the screen as I look.Here. Running.

I smile sappily at the words as I picture Isaac in his expensive suit and rumpled hair sprinting through the airport with his laptop bag bouncing at his hip and his suitcase rolling behind him.

“Where’s your man?” The flight attendant has reached the end of the aisle, pausing next to my row. It’s the same woman who worked this flight last year in the months Isaac and I got together. We’ve seen her a few times since then whenever we take this flight to visit our families in Boston.

“He had a meeting go late and then got stuck in traffic. He’s running for the gate as we speak,” I tell her. “Don’t let them leave without him.”

“I won’t. He’s got time.” I see her eyes flicker down to my left hand, which is still gripping the strap of my knit bag. “What’s that I see there?”

With a small laugh, I show her my hand. The diamond engagement ring and the wedding band on my finger. “We got married last month. We’re on our way to Boston now to visit family for the weekend, but then we leave for our honeymoon on Monday. We had to wait until our work schedules matched to take this much time off.”

“I’m so happy for you!” She looks like she’s telling me the truth. Her smile is warm and genuine. “And I feel like I had a small part to play in your love story.”

“You did. Thank you.” If it’s possible to melt away from pure, unadulterated giddiness, I might actually do it right now.

The past year has been the best in my entire life. None other even comes close to rivalling it. Isaac and I dated for six months until the short lease on his apartment ended. Then we mutually decided there was no reason to wait any longer. We were as committed to each other as two people are capable of being. He proposed and then moved in with me, sharing my small place until my lease was done and we found a property to buy.

It's the top floor of a historic house with similar vibes to my beloved apartment but with more room and newly updated kitchen and bathrooms. We moved in two months ago, and we both love it.

Then we got married—in Savannah so my family wouldn’t turn it into a hoopla. And now we’re going to Tuscany for a two-week honeymoon.

It’s more than I ever believed life would offer me. As long as Isaac actually makes the flight.

As the thought materializes, he appears, bursting onto the plane with an abrupt deceleration. Flushed and breathless and adorable and Isaac.

He grins and gives me a cheesy thumbs-up as he maneuvers his luggage and body down the narrow aisle, apologizing to the flight attendant when he reaches us.

“No worries,” she says. “I knew you’d make it.”

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