Page 45 of Forecasting the Forward

“Fucking hell,” I swear. “That’s even better.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Coach mutters. “I’m hanging up.”

As he hangs up, I vaguely remember hearing a few shutter clicks, but I can’t peel my eyes away from Becca to see what the sound is.

Click! Click, click, click!

And that’s how Becca and I are unknowingly photographed together for the first time, staring adoringly at each other in the Las Vegas airport.

“This is surreal,”I comment as I look around the first class cabin. We’ve reached our cruising altitude, and I’ve yet to stop taking in every detail. How Jacob managed to procure two first-class tickets only yesterday is beyond me.

“Marriage?” Jacob asks.

“No, this,” I say, gesturing around us. “Why is there this much space?”

“It’s not that much, actually. International flights have insane business and first class cabins. The seats fold flat to make beds.”

My mouth drops open. “Isn’t that ridiculously expensive, though? I mean, I knew those kinds of seats existed, but I guess I figured only Hollywood celebrities and millionaires could afford them.”

Jacob looks at me, cocking an eyebrow. “You can’t tell me you haven’t Googled my net worth yet, Spitfire. I may not fall under the former category, but I definitely fall into the latter one.”

I feel heat rush to my cheeks. “I have Googled you, yes. Does it make sense if I say that you seem normal, and that I don’t really see you as a millionaire?”

He chuckles lightly. “I don’t go around splurging on things. I know guys who live in houses worth millions, and have so many cars they need their own parking garages. I know this career isn’t going to last forever. I’d rather make sure I can live comfortably for my entire life instead of lavishly for a few years.”

“How many cars do you have?” I blurt out.

“Two. Plus a motorcycle, but I rarely ride that anymore. People started recognizing me, and I couldn’t take the chance of someone trying to jump on at a stop light.”

“People would do that?”

He nods. “Happened twice, and that’s twice too many. Plus it’s cold in Denver. I’m a wimp with the wind.”

I giggle. “The wind is something else. I love to hike, and on sunny winter days, I can still get out there. But if it’s windy, it freezes me to the bone.”

“I like to hike, too. Does your dog go with you?” Jacob asks.

“He does, although our hikes take twice as long because he has to greet everyone.”

“That sounds about right for a golden retriever,” Jacob comments.

“I don’t remember telling you he’s a golden,” I say warily, making Jacob give me a sheepish smile.

“I may have done a little Googling on my own,” he says quietly. He reaches over and gently picks up my left hand, sliding it into his palm. His fingers rub carefully against my wedding band and engagement ring, making butterflies erupt in my stomach. “I felt a connection from the first moment you ran into me, Becca. Once I recognized who you were, I needed to know more. I saw a pic of you and a golden, but didn’t know if it was a current photo until you mentioned having a dog.”

“I’m glad you aren’t anti-dog, because we’re a package deal,” I joke lightly. “I guess I should have asked if you have any pets. Thunder is pro-animal, so I doubt you’ll have something he doesn’t want to befriend.”

Jacob lets out a nervous laugh. “I do have pets, actually.”

“Pets?” I inquire. “Plural?”

“Yeah.”

I wait for more information, but Jacob stays tight-lipped. “Are you going to tell me about them, or do I need to start a guessing game?”

“I highly doubt you’d be able to guess,” he chuckles.

“Alright,” I say giddily, swiping my hands together in excitement. “I love games. I bet people associate you with big dogs, so I’m guessing three long-haired dachshunds.”

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