Page 27 of Praise Me: Pilot

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H: BAD

J: I was thinking, you could have come to Barcelona with me. We’d only have had one night there, but any amount of time with you is worth it.

H: It won’t take much convincing to spend a night in Spain with my boyfriend.

J: I’m flying in ten minutes. How fast can you get to the airport?

H: Haha.

J: Turn on your location. I want to know where you are at all times while I’m gone.

H: Okay. I’ll turn it on...soon!

J: Now, Haylo.

H: You turn yours on!

J: Done.

I’m chewing my lip so furiously, it’s going to bleed soon. Turn on my location?

He’s going to see that I’m on the back of the plane.

H: I don’t know how to turn it on.

J: Haylo.

H: Yes?

J: Nice wig.

I phone falls from numb fingers. Joel knows I’m on the plane. He’s known all along.

No wonder you got upgraded, silly.

With a mounting sense of dread, I slide the wig off and tuck it beneath the seat in front of me, then retrieve my phone from the aisle. Thinking for a minute, I finally text back.

H: Would you believe this is just a coincidence and I’ve had this trip planned for months?

J: No, but I’d believe you’re here to guard your heart.

J: But that’s my job now, angel. Trust me to do it.

Before I can respond, Joel’s voice comes over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are headed to Barcelona, Spain this evening and I’m going to do everything I can to make the ride extra smooth for you folks. Especially since my fiancé is on board and I’m deeply in love with her. Even in disguise.”

Heat springs up behind my eyes as a round of applause breaks out on board.

Joel is in love with me.

Deeply.

I’m beginning to relate. I’mlettingmyself love him.

And with him at the wheel, I’m getting less and less fearful of a crash landing.

CHAPTER 12

Joel

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