Page 3 of Sweet Escape
“Excuse me?” I fold myself into the seat, my knees bumping the back of the chair in front of me.
The goddess beside me sighs and tucks her coat away with her carry-on, leaving her in a skirt that’s practically molded to her figure and a simple white V-neck tee.
“It’s not the first time I’ve been called a fat ass. Won’t be the last. I’m Olivia, by the way. If you’re going to bemyman, you should at least know my name.” There’s a hint of amusement in her voice as she offers me her dainty hand, her long fingernails tipped white.No ring.
“Your man?”
“I know it’s been a few seconds since the dick weasel in the suit disappeared, but you just called meyour girl…with a very impressive threat tacked on at the end. Think he might’ve pissed himself a little.”
I bark out a laugh for what feels like the first time in years, the sound almost foreign to my ears. Has it really been that long since I’ve truly laughed? Yeah. I guess it has.
“I’m Wilder.” I take her hand in mine, her soft skin a stark contrast against my calloused palm. I don’t want to let go.
Fuck, I can’t remember the last time I was touched like this. Emmy is affectionate, but it usually comes with some kind of bodily fluid or mysteriously sticky substance attached. I love my daughter, but she’s a hot mess on the best of days.
I’ve been raising her on my own for the past two years, and that’s been hard enough without adding dating into the mix. Even if I wanted to, my grief wouldn’t let me. The constant,dull ache is a reminder of everything I lost. One night changed my entire life, and I’ll never be able to get it back. It wouldn’t be fair to put that burden on a new relationship.
“Where are you headed, Wilder? Is Nashville your final destination?” My name sounds sinful on her perfect, pink lips, and I momentarily forget how to speak. She arches a brow, and the crooked smile she gives me is like the sun peeking out from behind the clouds.
“Back to my hometown.” I assume this stranger won’t know shit about a little Kentucky town called Oak Ridge, so I don’t mention it by name. “What about you?”
“Same.” She sighs. “Running back with my tail tucked between my legs, bracing myself for the inevitable ‘I told you so’ from my parents.”
Olivia fidgets with her seatbelt, attempting to get it over her lap, but it’s at least a good inch and a half too short. She mutters a curse, and her cheeks flush the most beautiful shade of pink. I scan the cabin, flagging down the flight attendant.
“Yes, sir. What can I do for you?” The flight attendant places a hand on my forearm in a flirty way that pisses me the fuck off.
I casually pull away and lean in.“Can we get a seatbelt extender, please?”
Taking the hint, a professional mask slips into place. “Absolutely. I’ll be right back.”
Olivia is tugging at a thread hanging off her skirt when the attendant returns. She palms the belt between her hands and quietly passes it over with a kind smile and a nod.Without a word, I discreetly slide it over to Olivia. Our fingertips brush, and the simple touch sends a zing of electricity shooting up my arm. She whispers a broken “thank you.” I can’t help but grasp her wrist and slide my thumb over her pulse point.
“Don’t thank me, darlin’. The belt needs to fit you, not the other way around.”
She gives me a wobbly smile as it clicks into place, and her posture relaxes.
“It’s been a while since I’ve flown. I forgot…” Breathing deeply, she shakes her head and trails off. “Sometimes I forget that the world isn’t made for people like me.” She’s matter-of-fact in the way she says it, her confidence never wavering. It’s more like she’s annoyed by the inconvenience of it all.
“People like you?”
“You know…”
“Beautiful women?”
She giggles and fuck if that sound doesn’t make my dick stand at attention.
“Thanks. But I can be both fat and beautiful—those two things aren’t mutually exclusive.”
Who the hell is this angel, and where did she come from?
Before I can respond, the pilot comes over the speaker, announcing a slight delay in takeoff. Olivia mumbles something under her breath before pulling out her phone. I catch a glimpse of the screen as she scrolls through a string of heated text messages from someone named Jake. I’m unable to tear my eyes away from the unspoken threat in his words.
Jake: It isn’t what it looked like. Amber came onto me first.
Jake: Come on, Liv. This isn’t you.
Jake: You know you won’t find better in that shitty little town of yours.
