Page 36 of Love at First Flight

It then cut to him saying, “Life is really weird and funny and complicated. Sometimes, things happen.”

Dex felt his color melt away at this. Every good thought he’d had at the end of filming the interview vanished as he sat there dumbfounded, watching whatever this was unfolding on his TV screen.

This was going to be a train wreck.

Chapter Fifteen

Selah brought herhand up to cover the lower half of her face as she watched the pre-taped segment continue on screen, her gut already churning with anxiety as it continued unfolding.

Bria’s voice cut back in. “Little did he know how true that would be when a sudden gust of wind tipped over the basket upon landing, and the pilot of the balloon ride, Selah Moreno, would land on top of him.”

Selah was in the next cut. “You never know when your basket will tip over or something will just fall out of thin air and land in your lap.”

Okay, well, she was going to throw up. While the whole misunderstanding wasn’t Selah’s fault—that would be Hailey’s doing—she would have no choice but to confess to Dex. She’d have to explain how the news crew got this story and why they were treating it like salacious, local gossip. She didn’t want him to be pissed, but would understand if he was.

What followed was a shot of them walking side by side across the field and Bria’s voiceover continued, “Truer words were never said as the couple kept running into each other, going from strangers to becoming something more, even deciding to come together for a good cause.”

When it cut to her saying, “It’s... hard to resist that kind of sincere passion. When he asked, I couldn’t say no,” Selah may have released a small gasp beneath her hand. Oh God. What in the hell was happening here? Was everyone in cahoots with her sister?

Her phone rang, and the caller’s name provoked a groan. She answered, even while regretting it. “What?”

“Selah María Moreno,” her mother said in an excited breath before switching tones. “Don’t you what me. Are you going to finally explain this?”

“Mom, it’s not—”

“You and Dexter?”

“No, that’s not what’s hap—”

“I’m watching it right now. It’s on the news. Naomi! Naomi, you’re recording this, right, mija? I want to send it to your auntie and show her my Selah has a sweetheart, and they’re on the news.”

“I’ve already told you. We’re just friends. Are you going to believe me or the news?”

“The news, of course. I see how you two look at each other. And you brought him dinner. Did he like it? When is he coming over for a proper meal? Even Boone comes over for dinner.”

In the background, Naomi said, “And I keep telling you to stop inviting him because I don’t want to spend any more time with the guy than I have to.”

Her mother ignored this, rambling to both her and Naomi at the same time and making her own plans for trying new recipes. Selah half listened, waiting for the moment her mother took a breath so she could jump in and end the torture. This whole thing was embarrassing. She was putting Dex in the most awkward of positions, and it was all her family’s fault.

“I love you, but I’m hanging up.” Selah promptly ended the call. Her saving grace was choosing to watch this at Dex’s place instead of going with her mother’s proposal of watching it all together. The decision was made because she needed to get away, to have some moments just for her. After spending the day going through finances and discovering her mother had indeed renewed her father’s yearly fishing magazine subscription behind her back, she deserved it.

Selah didn’t know what she had missed, due to her mother’s phone call, but it couldn’t have been a lot, because there wasn’t much to the story. Why would anyone care when both she and Dex were nobodies? Central Oregon must be starved for stories.

With a sigh, she returned her attention to the segment, wanting the whole thing to be over, so she could stop feeling guilty and confess her sister’s deeds and apologize. And then she’d promptly get in her balloon and fly off into space, where she could live with her shame in privacy and peace.

“Dex’s love of wildlife and his pet crow, Harpo, provided the perfect opportunity for them to work together as they put together the biggest event at Smith Rock this year where guests were allowed to take an Instagram-worthy picture like this one,” Bria’s voiceover continued. “Creating their own memorable moment is something Dex and Selah know a lot about.”

It cut to a shot of Dex from his solo interview with Smith Rock behind him and Harper on his shoulder. “I want people to see her like I do. She’s truly magnificent.”

Selah had enough courage to slide a look in his direction because...what in the what?Dex slid his hand over his eyes, his head tilting down and the tips of his ears turning a bright shade of pink. He appeared as if he wished he had access to a space balloon himself. It was doubtful this night was going to get any better for either one of them.

The pre-taped segment ended with them back inside the balloon and Bria saying, “For these two lovebirds, the sky really is the limit.” It cut to a live feed of Bria standing in some empty field, a microphone in hand and her other hand pressing a finger to one of her ears. “Dex Westerly hopes this will bring attention to the Smith Rock NonProfit Org, in hopes of creating a wildlife rehabilitation. If folks are interested in donating or they want information on the park’s conservation efforts or to learn more about the local business, High Desert Tours, they can check the story on the KTVZ website. Samantha, back to you.”

Dex snapped up the remote and turned the TV off. They both sat staring at a black TV screen for a few long silent minutes, the tension becoming unbearable.

“My sister posted a Loop video that made it seem like we were together,” she blurted.

At the same time, he said, “The radio interview might have gotten the impression we were more than friends, and it might be my fault.”

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