Page 15 of Official

It’s special, to say the least.

“I didn’t intend to get all sentimental.” He laughs softly and runs his hand through his tousled hair. “It’s stupid.”

“It’s not.” I squeeze his jean-clad thigh. “It’s not stupid at all. I can relate.”

He nods, but he doesn’t take his eyes off the road. If I could get a good look at him, I’d likely see the full extent of his sentiment.

I’ve witnessed Xander’s vulnerability in the past, but it’s been in fleeting glimpses. Nothing like this moment where he draws me in and makes me part of an obviously personal and intimate experience—one we can both share in, at that.

A fuzzy current of warmth meanders through my chest as we settle into easy conversation again, in between him cursing other drivers, anyway. At one point, he lays on his horn, muttering under his breath, “Fucking turtle-driving road hogs.”

I cover my mouth, laughing. “What does that even mean?”

“Oh, they know,” he says, weaving through cars like a Formula One driver.

I’m relieved when we make it to the airport and through security in time for boarding. One of my sneakers is still untied by the time my ass hits my seat on the plane, but it was worth the risk of tripping over it.

Because we made it.

“You can tie your shoe now,” Xander says, pointing to the thick laces.

“I thought you were going to leave me if I took the time to do it out there, especially after we already wasted time after the wheel on my suitcase popped off,” I throw back.

His light-hearted grumbles are barely audible as a flight attendant comes by to confirm we have our seat belts on and trays in the upright position.

When I sit back up from fixing my sneaker, I catch her cheeky gaze landing on Xander as she compliments the tattoo on his wrist.

“I’ve always wanted a tattoo on my shoulder, or elsewhere.” She narrows her gaze suggestively, and her innuendo is more obvious than the hair on my head. “I’ll be back to check on you after takeoff.”

When we’re alone again, I whisper to Xander, “I bet she looks back at you at least three more times before she takes her seat.”

“Doubtful.”

“I wouldn’t—oh, there’s one.” I notice the flight attendant’s coy glance at him before I finish my sentence. “And another.”

He shifts next to me, and his knuckles brush the outside of my bare thigh as my shorts ride up my leg. We’re cramped in this space, and I can’t afford to make it tighter by inflating Xander’s ego with this little game.

But I just can’t help myself.

It’s taking my mind off yesterday’s debacle better than any glass of rosé or tequila shot.

He and I both look up at the same time and find she’s gazing back at him again.

“I win.” I shrug as the overhead speaker dings on.

“You never told me the prize, so there’s no bet. No winner, either.”

“The prize is a trip to Maui.” I tilt my head toward him. “I thought that was obvious.” I throw my head against the back of the seat and laugh, careful not to rattle the passenger to my right.

I’m already glad I agreed to this ridiculous and spontaneous adventure.

Once we’re in the air, I lean over to ask Xander, “Oh, by the way, how long are we going for?”

“That is up to us. I only booked us a one-way flight.” He gives me a sly grin.

“I like the sound of that.” I squirm in my seat, my hangover long gone. It’s replaced by giddy excitement, instead.

I spent most of yesterday moping over my public wardrobe malfunction as Samantha Ray.

Today, I’m Samantha West.

Just a girl on a plane to Maui with her brother’s best friend.

---