Page 42 of Falling for Paris
He blinked slowly, her words settling into him. Filling his blood with heat and his mind with purpose. “Do you really think she would listen to me now? Inez, I was a reckless brute who kicked her out! What a fool to think I knew what was best for everyone when all I did was hurt both of us. Is there a chance that she’ll come back to me?”
She sighed indulgently before speaking. “Only one way to find out. Looks like you’ve got a flight to book for tomorrow.”
“Victoria Espinoza, would you come to the agent desk please?”
Did she hear that correctly? Her earbuds weren’t loud but she hadn’t slept in two nights so it was possible she was hallucinating.
“Victoria Espinoza, Flight 2120 to Washington, DC, please see us before boarding.”
She jumped out of her seat and waved her hand to get the airline agent’s attention. Slinging her new backpack over her shoulder—she had to buy two days’ worth of clothes and toiletries after all—she ambled over.
“Hello, Ms. Espinoza. I have great news! You’ve been upgraded to first class. Here is your new boarding pass.”
“Oh, um, I didn’t pay for that. This must be a mistake.”
The woman furrowed thick brows in confusion but quickly recovered her professional smile. “You’re not charged at all! This is a, um, a free upgrade. Here!” She practically shoved the boarding pass to Tori.
“Wow, OK. That’s great. Thank you so much.” Although surprised, Tori was grateful. A roomy first-class seat instead of a middle seat in coach was a world of difference when you’re travelling for nine hours.
She was one of the first to enter the plane, happy to settle into comfort. At least externally. Everything else about Tori was far from comfortable. Her head was fuzzy, her stomach in knots, and her heart as heavy as an anvil on her chest.
Closing her eyes and leaning back, Tori steadied her breath. That’s all she could do, right? Keep it together, she told herself. This will pass. She’ll be fine in a few weeks.
Lies. Lies. Lies.
She never felt this kind of pain. Deep and profound and permanent. After she had stormed out of Rafael’s home, she turned into a zombie, going through the motions of preparing to travel back home. She had blocked his number because she couldn’t trust herself not to be a pathetic pushover. Taking his calls and texts would make her departure impossible. The need to see him one more time was so strong, her knees gave way at the possibility. She had to remember why she was heartbroken and humiliated in a plane she didn’t want to be in.
Even if he didn’t tell her to leave, Rafael didn’t want her to stay. That was basically the same thing, wasn’t it?
She took deep breaths but with each rising of her chest, a loud and urgent warning blazed through her system. Her pulse picked up as if adrenaline was injected into her bloodstream. An awful rush of…of wrongness. Being in a plane that took her across the ocean was wrong, wrong, wrong.
What the hell was she doing? Leaving when she wanted to stay, silent when she wanted to communicate, alone when she wanted to return to Rafael.
Dammit, she couldn’t do it. There was no plan beyond the realization that she couldn’t leave. Not like this. Tori gathered her things clumsily, standing up before undoing her seatbelt and plopping back down.
“Is everything alright?” A flight attendant came over with a writing pad. “Can I get you something to eat and drink while the rest of the passengers board?”
“No, I’m sorry. I need to…” She was interrupted as a flow of people streamed into the aisle, blocking her way. She undid her belt and stood up to address the flight attendant.
“I’m sorry for the trouble but this was a mistake. I need to get off the plane. Please can you help me?”
“Pardon me? Did you say you want toget out?”
“Yes, yes I need to get out of the plane.” As panic gripped her throat, Tori felt the effort of speaking clearly. “I need to get out of the plane because I can’t leave Paris. I won’t.” The last word screeched out with a shaky breath.
Tori hated scenes. Being fussed over made her cringe. All her life, she was painstakingly careful about being vulnerable and emotional in public. Right now? An embarrassing outburst was near, ugly sobs clamoring to get out.
“Please,” she managed desperately. “I need to get off the plane. I can’t leave Paris.”
“Why?” A deep voice from the other aisle pushed through her consciousness. Gritty and low, it was a voice she would recognize till her dying day. She spun around and saw him across the center seats she had just vacated. “Why do you need to stay?” he asked again.
“Rafael, what are you doing here?!” Those words came out of her when what she wanted to say was:Are you a dream I wished into reality?
“I’m here foryou, Tori,” he said with a smoldering look that rammed her heart with longing. “I was wrong to let my angel leave. I’m here foryou, the woman I love.” He took a step closer and hovered over the center seats.
The sound of other people’s whispers and gasps trickled through her consciousness. She didn’t care. Her mouth opened yet Tori couldn’t form actual words. Who could blame her when the man she loved was taking her breath away?
The slashes of his cheekbones were stark on his clean-shaven face, the cleft on his chin calling for her touch. Jade eyes hooded by dark lashes were glued to her panting mouth. He was devastatingly handsome, as always, but there was something else. A determination she hadn’t seen from him before.
