Page 8 of A Certain Step
WILLA
Fair. I’m here to talk if you want. And yeah! Boarding soon, hopefully.
ETHAN
Can’t wait to see you. Have a safe flight!
WILLA
Saaaaame.
ETHAN
Thanks for checking in.
WILLA
Always.
She wanted to be by his side. If she had been nearby, Ethan would’ve found her, put his head on her shoulder, and told her that he was annoyed. That was the familiarity crystalized in their relationship.
Small touches here and there, like second nature.
Eight hours and some change. She’d be there soon, and then she’d have them back again.
3
WILLA
There were people in the world, blessed in a way she could never fathom, who came out of airplanes miraculously still looking like gods and goddesses. But Willa always felt like a deliriously disgruntled raccoon who’d just raided every rubbish bin in the neighborhood. She hadn’t even moved. Why did she look and feel like she tried and failed to run a marathon?
She regretted telling Ethan he could pick her up. No human should see her like this. After securing her luggage, Willa ran to the loo, freshened up by brushing her teeth, and sprayed a bit of perfume.
When she walked out of the airport and saw him through the window of his car, the familiarity of his smile sent every other thought running.
He stepped out, popped the boot, and took her luggage from her.
She set her backpack down next to it, and then he enveloped her in a firm but brief embrace. God, he smelled divine, the recognizable cologne he wore hitting her like a striking gust of wind.
He let her go, and she released a breathy laugh. “I feel so gross coming off that plane; you’d think I haven’t showered in seventy-two years. And now you have to destroy your clothes, too. Sorry.”
“You look great, and your perfume hasn’t worn off either,” he said, glancing at her with a regard that felt like home.Well, good. I touched it up.
At the very least, Ethan would never lie. If she had smelled as gross as she felt, then he would’ve kept quiet.
“Well, I’m glad the interior raccoon feelings aren’t translating to the exterior.”
Ethan laughed, wondrously deep and warm, then opened the passenger door for her. “Let’s get you home, little raccoon.”
“Are you coming over?” Willa asked.
“Do you want me to?”
“No, I asked because I wanted to hear you say yes, only to respond that no one invited you, and you’re not welcome,” she deadpanned.
His lips curved upward. “Aggressive.”
“You’re coming, and we’re continuing ourPeaky Blinderswatch after I shower. You didn’t watch any new episodes without me, did you?”
