Page 51 of Waiting for Acceptance
“Is that the same as saying I have a good personality? Are you complimenting my intelligence while simultaneously insulting my appearance?” he teases
“Yeah, right.” I snort, immediately feeling my cheeks redden.
Maybe Iwilljust jump out of a window.
The soft smile he gives me makes me relax a little then he pulls my headphones back up over my ears, leaving them open just enough so I can hear him say, “Get some rest, Trouble. We’ll be hitting the ground running when we land.” Then he winks at me and pulls his phone back out, leaving me to my music.
CHAPTER 27
FITZ
I didn’t realize how addicting it could be to watch someone sleep. But from the moment she let out that cleansing breath and her head rolled onto my shoulder, I haven’t been able to look away. She’s such an expressive person; mostly negative expressions when I’m involved, but expressive nonetheless. To see her face completely relaxed, free of frustration, pinched brows, or a scowl, she looks…happy. Peaceful. The captain’s voice comes across the overhead speakers announcing our descent, though it’s quiet enough that she sleeps right through it. I reach across and tuck her hair behind her ear, then pull it back out when I remember how many times I have watched her untuck it. She must not like that for some reason.
“Hey, Trouble. We’re landing,” I whisper, giving my shoulder a gentle shrug to help wake her, kissing her forehead as she begins to stir.
What the fuck. Why did I do that?
“Mm-mm,” she argues, nestling further into my neck.
I’m going to have to spend a little extra time in my seat if her lips get any closer to my neck. How is she even comfortable right now?
I clear my throat, trying to help wake her faster. “Lauren.” Her eyes finally flutter open and she pulls her head back. Those same sleepy eyes widen when she realizes what she was just doing.
“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I just…I have no boundaries when I sleep.” She’s practically pressed into the opposite side of her seat, which is probably the best place for her given how I’m feeling right now.
“I’ll remember that when planning our sleeping arrangements.” Her head falls lazily in my direction and she’s frowning.
“What do you mean?”
“I only have one bed in my house.”
“You have a couch, right?”
“Yes.”
“Planning done. You’ll sleep on the couch.” She gives me one of those sassy ass smirks and I shake my head in disapproval. “Time to go, Mr. Fitzgerald.” The amusement falls from my face at lightning speed but before I can tell her, yet again, to not call me that, she’s up and reaching for her bags.
I think the hell not.
I slap her hand away from the overhead bin. “I’ll do that.” Her mouth pops open, to argue with me, no doubt, then snaps shut again. Moving enough to allow me to get the bags before she leads the way off the plane. As soon as we’re back in the airport, I hold our bags over my shoulder and wrap my free arm over her shoulders. She tilts her head up to look at me, the back of her head resting perfectly in the crook of my elbow.
“Showtime, Sweetheart. Never know who may be watching.” Then I give her a wink and she puts one arm around my waist, lacing her fingers through mine with her other. My stomach twists into a million knots when her fingers intertwine with mine.
It will get easier, right? Wanting this to be real, and knowing it may never be.
At first I wasn’t sure she would last a year, but now I’m afraidIwon’t. While we walk she pulls her phone out and a wave of texts begin flooding her screen. She scrolls through them and when she giggles, I let my curiosity get the best of me and peek down.
Tay
If you joined the mile high club I’m going to be so jealous. Tucker doesn’t fly so that’ll never happen for me and I am gonna need hella details.
I like the way you think, Tay.
I smirk to myself, but it quickly falls when I see the reply she’s typed out.
Lauren
Who says I wasn’t already part of it before this trip?
