Page 197 of The Hookup Situation
“It’s something I’ll never forget,” I admit.
We don’t untangle for a long time. I stay curled against Nick, the blanket wrapped around us, his heart steady under my ear while the engines hum beneath us. At some point, I drift off, only to wake to his fingers stroking my hair.
The pilot’s voice filters through the intercom. “Mr. Banks, Ms. Loveland, we’ll be landing in twenty minutes.”
I’m sore, blissfully wrecked, and maybe the happiest I’ve ever been in my adult life.
Nick helps me sit up, tucking my hair behind my ear. His grin is adorable, but there’s happiness in his eyes too. “Seems like we only have a few more things on the list.”
“Just the elevator and balcony during a parade.” My cheeks heat as I think about every experience I’ve shared with him. “But I wouldn’t mind doing this again sometime.”
“Just say when.” He kisses me once more before I slide my dress over my head.
Butterflies flutter.
The jet descends, New York coming into view beneath us, the buildings glittering at night. It looks like a thousand constellations flipped upside down.
This is the first glimpse I’ve had into his world.
The plane taxis to the private hangar. Nick takes my hand,steadying me as I step out into the crisp night air. His driver waits beside a sleek black car. We climb inside.
“I should warn you,” he says, fingers interlocking with mine as we head toward the city. “There will be paps at my penthouse.”
“I figured as much,” I admit. I’ve been preparing myself for this moment.
Eventually, the car slows to a stop, and the driver opens the doors for us.
Just as he promised, the night explodes with camera flashes. Voices collide with questions, most of them personal and about our relationship.
“Nick, is she the one?”
“Julie, how does it feel to be the newest Banks girlfriend?”
“Engaged already? Is it true?”
“Are you pregnant?”
Pictures happen so fast that the flashes blind me. I don’t shrink or try to hide. It’s something I won’t do anymore. For anyone.
He holds my hand tighter as we step onto the sidewalk and guides me forward. My heart races—not from fear, but from certainty. They can take their pictures and write their headlines. It will never define our relationship. Only we can do that.
When a photographer gets too close, Nick places his hand on my lower back. Questions continue to be shouted at us, and he protectively shields my body with his.
“Can’t have you jacking up photographers in the city,” he mutters in my ear.
Laughter escapes me.
Security waves us into the building, and the sudden quiet after the nonstop yelling is almost dizzying.
Nick glances down at me as we stride across the marble lobby.
“Good job keeping it together, Red Menace,” he says, brushing his thumb across my cheek.
I grin. “I left my karate moves back in Cozy Creek.”
He studies me for a long beat, and the look in his eyes makes me fall all over again.
“Glad you remembered who the hell you are,” he says.
