Page 24 of A Night of Indulgence and Sloth
“What! That’s way too long to go without doing nothing. Even savvy businessmen like yourselves need a break, you know.” As the words leave my mouth, a plan starts to form in the back of my head. If they won’t make the time themselves, someday I’ll give them a little push.
It’s amazing to be around people who have their shit together, and not just that, but they don’t seem held back by their past. I could be jealous – and let’s be honest, I kind of am – but it’s also refreshing. We spend the rest of the evening eating and talking, sharing little stories about ourselves and our hopes for the future.
I share things about myself that I never thought I would. Not the farm, though. Never the farm. But I tell them about my parents, being raised by my uncle, and then moving out to NYC when I was only nineteen. They open up about their families too. I learn that Kaleb’s favorite holiday is Easter and that Aiden’s dad is his hero. I sense more beneath those little pieces of information but don’t press further, totally content with the light conversation.
Despite the secrets between us, I can’t deny how comfortable I feel with them. Maybe this will all work out after all.
Kaleb
Ilove traveling, even for work. That’s why Aiden and I swap out who travels which week, because we both enjoy hopping on a plane to meet a client or check out a prospective new venture. But this time, it just feels different. Better. And there’s only one reason. Lily.
The dinner on Saturday night went better than Aiden or I had expected. We had tried to keep it professional and friendly, which was a feat in itself considering the sleek black dress she wore and the fact that I couldn’t help but wonder what she wore underneath. There’d been one moment of panic when Aiden had slipped up and mentioned her allergies on file. A file that we only had because of Club Rapture. Thankfully, I’d swooped in to save the day, and she appeared to have bought the cover story. As far as I knew, we didn’t have that question in the paperwork.
I can’t imagine what Aiden must be feeling now, stuck at the office by himself while Lily and I hopped on a plane to Canada. The office must feel empty without her radiance. Fuck. This woman had us wrapped around her finger already.
Apparently, she’d never flown anywhere before, let alone in first class, so although we don’t have sleep pods or anything overly fancy, she had been giddy with excitement when we boarded. Aiden and I never thought to confirm that she had a passport, but luckily for us, she and her sister had made a spur-of-the-moment decision to get them earlier this year, hoping to go to an all-inclusive resort. That knowledge had ideas flowing through my head of us on a beach somewhere getting sand in all the places sand wasn’t supposed to be. I’d have to talk to Aiden about the three of us visiting our contacts in Hawaii sometime.
I expect her to be frightened during takeoff, but just like she has so many times in the short time I’ve known her, she proves me wrong. Once the seatbelt signs are off, we order a glass of shitty in-flight wine.
“So, who are we meeting again?” Lily asks, fiddling with the empty pack of almonds one of the flight attendants dropped off.
“R.C.A. The Restorative Care App. They host one of the largest in-app counseling services in Canada and in the top five within the United States.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of them, actually. I looked into using their services last year, but my insurance only covered in-person appointments.”
Shocked that she just revealed something so personal to me, I tuck that little nugget away for future musings and focus on our conversation. “Wow. That’s a pretty old school clause to have with insurance.”
“Tell me about it.” She chuckles, rolling her eyes before digging into her bag and pulling out a notebook. After writing the client’s name, date, and location, she rests her gaze back on me. “Okay, and is this just a routine checkup, or is there some other reason we’re visiting them?”
“Always so eager, Lily.” I smile and finish the wine, not bothering to place any attention on the adorable blush that nowlines her cheeks. “We want them to open a branch in the States in our building. The healthcare system is vastly different in Canada, and we want to make sure that we’re being as specific as possible with what’s offered.”
She nods as she writes what I’ve said down and then starts adding her own ideas below. Her handwriting is neat, likely a requirement for the career path she’s chosen and not shocking in the slightest. My sweet blossom gives her all to everything she does. Of course this would be the same.
“Do we know how open they are about operating directly from the U.S.?”
“We’ve brought it up casually a few times over the last couple of years with no luck. Aiden and I will push a little harder this time, though.” It wasn’t like they shot us down in the past, but they hadn’t exactly been enthusiastic either.
“And the owners? What’s their story?”
“Anita Sutherland. Her husband is an ex-RCMP officer who struggles with delayed onset PTSD. She comes from a long line of therapists and psychologists who helped support her dream; to offer more affordable and attainable assistance.”
“Wow. That’s incredible.” Her hand moves across the page, scribbling anecdotes and details with a wide smile on her face. “Do we have much time once we land before meeting them?”
“Only an hour, unfortunately,” I reply, unable to look away from the concentration on her beautiful face.
“No worries at all. That’s plenty of time.”
Before I can ask her to elaborate, an announcement comes across the speakers.
“This is your captain speaking. We’re flying through an area of turbulence, so please head back to your seat and fasten your seatbelts.”
Worry lines her face as she puts her notebook away. “It’s alright. This is completely normal, I promise.”
She smiles, or tries to, but the plane shifts in that moment. Her hand flies to mine, gripping it tightly, and my heart stops. I hide the shock from my face, not wanting to give away just how much I crave her touch, and stroke my thumb in soft circles along the back of her hand. My skin tingles where it meets hers, and for a brief moment, I can’t look away from our joined hands.
We hit another patch of turbulence, the plane jerking beneath us and snapping me out of my revelry. Her eyes are wide and full of fear. “Breathe, Lily. Focus on my voice.” She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath, just like I asked her to. “Good girl. Relax, and let me take care of you.”
I move the armrest out of the way and pull her into me. She comes without hesitation, allowing my arms to weave around her and hold her tight just as the plane shakes again. A whimper escapes her, and I fight the urge to pull her into my lap.
