Page 5 of Knot Really Engaged
As we step inside the cabin, I can’t help but marvel at the spacious first-class area. I settle into my seat, sinking into the soft leather cushion with a sigh.
Liam stows our bags in the overhead compartment before settling in himself. He leans back in his seat, a contented exhale escaping his lips as he stretches his long legs out in front of him. “Not too shabby, huh?” He grins, his eyes sparkling with pride as he gestures to the cabin around us.
I take in the plush seats, the ample legroom, and the sleek, modern design of the first-class cabin. It’s a far cry from the cramped economy seats I’m used to. “How did you manage to get us seats together in first class?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued.
He shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I have my ways,” he says, his voice low and playful.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at the corners of my mouth. “Well, thank you. This is a nice surprise,” I say, my heart fluttering at the thought of him going out of his way to make this trip more comfortable for me.
Stop it, Audrey. You’re not a teenager anymore and he’s just being nice because . . . Max, maybe?
“Anything for you, Little McCallister.” His voice is soft, and for a moment, I forget about the ordeal I just went through.
Ben who?
The plane begins to taxi down the runway, the engines humming to life. I feel a slight jolt as we lift off the ground, my stomach dropping as we climb higher and higher into the sky. I grip the armrests, my knuckles turning white as I try to steady my breathing.
Liam reaches over, his hand covering mine, his touch warm and reassuring. “Hey, you okay?” he asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
I nod, swallowing hard. “Yeah, just not a big fan of takeoffs,” I admit, my voice shakier than I’d like.
He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Well, lucky for you, you’ve got me here to distract you,” hesays, a playful smirk on his lips. “How about a game of ‘I Spy’?”
I laugh, the tension in my body easing as I let myself get caught up in his silly game. We take turns pointing things out that we see, our competitive streaks coming out as we try to one-up each other.
As the plane reached cruising altitude, the flight attendant’s voice sounded over the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have now reached our cruising altitude of 35,000 feet. You are now free to move about the cabin, but please keep your seat belts fastened while seated. Our in-flight service will begin shortly.”
Liam stands up, stretching in the aisle. He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a sleek laptop, the silver casing glinting in the cabin lights. “Time to get some work done,” he says with a grin, settling back into his seat.
I watch as he opens the laptop, his fingers flying over the keys with practiced ease. “What are you working on?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
He glances over at me, a smirk playing on his lips. “Top secret stuff, Little McCallister. If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
I roll my eyes, a laugh escaping my lips. “Yeah, sure. Like you’re some kind of secret agent or something. I know what you do. You own acompany with my brother and keep him, Ethan, and Cal organized since they like to pretend to play spy.”
“Sure, that’s what I do.” He winks at me, the gesture sending a flutter through my stomach.
The flight attendant approaches our seats, a smile on her face. “Can I get you anything to drink or eat?”
Liam orders a whiskey, neat, while I opt for a glass of white wine. We peruse the menu, debating each option before settling on a cheese plate to share.
As we nibble on the assortment of cheese and crackers, we talk about our families. I tell him about my job, and he listens attentively, offering words of encouragement when I mention a particularly difficult client.
As the conversation flows, I feel my earlier anger beginning to fade, replaced by a warm sense of contentment. It’s always been so easy to talk to Liam, to fall back into the familiar rhythm of our friendship. Well, he was more Max’s friend than mine, but when I came along to play with them Lee would be the one who would always allow me to join and even kept an eye on me.
My eyelids begin to feel heavy, the wine and the gentle hum of the plane’s engines lulling me into a drowsy state. I feel myself sinking into my seat, my head nodding forward.
Liam’s arm gently moves me, guiding my head to rest on his shoulder. I nestle into the crook of his neck, breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne—spicy, woodsy, and fresh—so Liam.
In my last moments of wakefulness, a thought drifts through my mind. I want this, the easy companionship, the sense of being understood. It’s nice to be heading home with someone who gets me, someone whose very presence feels like a soothing embrace, offering comfort.
But will I ever get it?
Chapter Three
Liam
“Look,it’s simple. We marry nostalgia with cutting-edge tech. Retro is the new modern.” I’m practically juggling my phone between my ear and shoulder while going through the airport.
