Page 5 of Only for the Week
I hear a faint “oop” come from Dani’s direction and then nothing. The silence permeating our little corner of the terminal is deafening. Regret digs its teeth into my skin at the despondent look on Ri’s face. She just told me she was nervous and I never want to add stress to her plate, especially when this should be the happiest time of her life, but I’m so exhausted. I make a promise to myself to put my perfect maid of honor hat back on once we get off the plane and without another word, I turn away from her and sit down to pull out my phone.
Me: Sorry. If you want to upgrade, don’t let me stop you
I purposefully messaged Evie on Facebook so that she could answer from her laptop and not make it obvious we’re talking.
Evie: *eye roll emoji* on today’s episode of Things I Already Know.
Me: Lmao fuck you
Evie: I’m riding with you heaux
Evie: And before you ask if I’m sure…shut up. Before I really let you be dusty musty crusty by yourself
Me: So unserious. Goodbye
Evie: Wait hold up…you think I can get Micah to slide me some dick this trip?
Evie: Scale of 1-10
Me: *inserts gif of ‘I said good day’ from Willy Wonka*
Evie: Now you’re already a sad and lonely bitch over Arnold’s ass let’s not add hater to that list. It’s not cute
Evie: *insert gif of Jackee laughing*
A derisive snort slips past my lips. Evie catches my eye to send a subtle smirk and wink my way, so I reach up to scratch my nose with my middle finger.
An overwhelming sense of being watched falls over me and without looking I somehow know I’m going to find mesmerizing onyx irises when I lift my head.
Sure enough, there he is sitting a mere row over, manspreading because it’s impossible for the chair to hold all of him. Fuck, the man has tree trunks for thighs.
His eyes remain fixated on me, not in judgment and not even in lust, just unbridled curiosity.
What do you want from me, Rome?
Almost as if he can hear the thought cross my mind, he looks away, turning his attention to his phone.
This is about to be the longest two weeks of my life.
A little while later, we’ve finally boarded the plane. Evie popped her Xanax twenty minutes ago, so I know I only have her company for maybe another ten before she’s out. Probably less, because she’s already starting to lean her head against the window. She squeezes my hand just before her eyes flutter closed. Definitely less than ten minutes.
“This seat taken?”
My head whips around to face the voice that I’m sure I couldn’t have heard.
Nope, I heard it alright. What the hell is he doing here?
“You lost, Rome? First class is that way.” I point in the direction of the front of the plane.
He must be more conscious of the other people boarding the plane than I am because he quickly breaks eye contact to lift his carry-on into the overhead bin. The move causes his hoodie to lift just enough so I can catch a glimpse of the cut of his abs. I move to the middle seat, so he won’t have to climb over me to sit down. I can’t be held responsible for my actions if his dick gets too close to my face.
He folds himself into the aisle seat beside me with a shrug. “A woman was having an issue so I offered her my seat.”
“An issue? What kind of issue?”
“The kind where she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her as they’re boarding this plane together and is seconds away from having a nervous breakdown.”
My jaw drops. “Oh shit.”
