Page 8 of Be My First

“Hey man.”

I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear Eli’s voice.

He puts his hand on my shoulder and leans down. His presence is like a bucket of cold water on my head – good. I don’t need to indulge any fantasies in my mind about his sister.

“Sorry you got seated next to Juno. I don’t even remember who booked the tickets,” he says.

“It doesn’t matter,” I mutter.

“I could switch with you if you...”

I cut him off. “It’s really not a big deal.”

“I know she’s not exactly your favorite person,” he says.

I frown. “She’s fine.”

He does a little double take when he looks over at her. “Did she take your sweatshirt?”

I know my cheeks are growing red. I’m glad it’s dark in here. I say quickly. “She was cold. I offered it.”

He shrugs. “Okay, just so you know, I can switch if you’d rather sit with Keene.”

I shake my head and then say, “Hey, she told me about the cooking thing in Tuscany. Are you doing it?”

He tilts his head to the side and then says, “I wasn’t planning on it, but I do want to go to Tuscany. Are you thinking about it?”

I bob my head a little side to side. “Sounds like it would be fun.”

He nods slowly. “Yeah. Let’s go. I’m not sure if I’ll do it or not, but we have a house rented for her. She needs someone to go with her anyway.”

“Okay, cool,” I say.

He pats my shoulder and then says, “Great, get some sleep.”

Once he’s returned to his seat, I move mine so I can lie down. Even though I shouldn’t, I think about how my sweatshirt is going to smell like Juno when she gives it back, and I can’t wait to smell it.

Sterling Family Group Text

James: How was everyone’s flight?

Keene: I’m still bitter we weren’t flying private.

Eli: Is that right, Keene? Were we going to fly on your private jet?

Declan: Solid point, Eli.

Zadie: You were still flying First Class.

Keene: Yeah, but I could hear Ethan snoring.

Ethan: I don’t snore.

Zadie: (Side eye emoji)

Ethan: I do?

Juno: You would have heard Ethan snore on a private flight too.

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