Page 5 of Someday You Learn

She peeks one eye open. “Maybe.”

I huff out a laugh, surprised by how entertaining this woman is. “Is there, uh, anything I can do to help?”

“Do you happen to have any Xanax?”

I pat the pockets of my pants and the one on my shirt mockingly. “Nope, fresh out.”

“Not funny.”

I twist in my seat, facing her, hating how the more I look at her, the more I find myself wondering what her lips taste like.

Is she wearing flavored gloss? Would I taste coffee on her tongue? Or is she a Diet Coke drinker like…

Nope. Not going there, Parker.

“Then what can I do to help?” Color me surprised, but seeing this woman on the verge of a panic attack is really messing with me. And fuck, she’s piqued my interest like no other woman has in a long time.

It couldn’t be because she’s quirky, sarcastic, and beautiful… Right, Parker?

“Nothing. I’ll be okay.”

“I don’t know if you will.”

Both of her eyes fly open now. “Why would you say that?”

“I’m just thinking maybe you’re denying my help out of pride, not because you truly don’t want it.”

“What on earth could you possibly do to help me through this?” she asks, right as the captain comes over the loudspeaker, signaling the flight attendants to complete their final checks. “Oh God. It’s coming.” She covers her face with both hands, and for the life of me, I’m not sure if I should be alarmed or if she’s going to snap out of it once we’re in the air.

“I could hold your hand,” I blurt, surprising myself.

Her hands fall from her face. “What?”

“You heard me. I’ll hold your hand. It might help.”

She arches a brow, like she’s considering it for a moment, then shakes her head. “No, that’s really not necessary.”

“It’s worth a shot.” I shrug. “Plus, I’ve been told I have very strong, capable hands.” I hold them up, fanning them out for her to admire.

“Did you really just brag about your hands?” she asks, laughing. “I’m sure they are veryimpressive, but I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.”

“No.” She shakes her head again. “No, it’s okay. I appreciate the offer, but…”

“You’re seriously denying me the pleasure of holding your hand?” I tease.

“Denying you thepleasure? You sound like one of the men fromBridgerton.”

“Well, for your information, I intended to watch season two during the flight until you started rambling.”

She covers her chest with her hand. “Seriously? You watch that show?”

“Yeah.” I push my glasses up on my nose. “My sister got me into it, and I’m not ashamed to admit it’s really fucking good.”

She tilts her head, a small quirk in her lips. “Who the hell are you?”

I clear my throat and offer my hand to her again. “I’m Parker Sheppard, your in-flight companion, and I think you should let me help you get through this.”

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