Page 67 of Always Been You
His hands grip my waist, firm and grounding. Our breaths mix, the world fading until it’s just us. Just the warmth of his touch, the way he holds me like I belong here.
And maybe I do. The realization is sudden and terrifying. I think I’m falling in love with him, or maybe I already have. The thought alone makes me pause, my heart slamming against my ribs. I pull back, shifting to return to my seat.
Sometime between our kisses, the flight attendant returned, setting down our drinks. Eddie doesn’t say a word. He just smirks, picks up his phone, and leans back in his seat.
I do the same, opening my group chat with my sisters.
Lawliss:Emergency!
Aria:What is it?
Lawliss:I think I’m in love again.
Lauren: Shaking my head. Here I was thinking it was something serious.
Aria:Why is that an emergency?
Lawliss:I got divorced recently.
Elisa: I want to say something, but after my words being thrown back at me, I choose my right to remain silent.
I chuckle at that. Ever since the press conference, Elisa has been on this ‘no comments’ agenda.
Lauren: Go for it. Edmund has had the hots for you forever.
Aria: Yeah, even when you weren’t looking. That guy loves you, so if you feel the same, then great. By the way, where are you currently staying? Janette has been asking to sleep over for some time now.
My heart skips a beat. I haven’t moved back to my place.
I’ve been staying with Eddie. I haven’t even bothered to check on the plumbing issue. I haven’t even thought about it. I’m a mess.
Lawliss:I’m not in town now. I’m traveling.
Aria: ???
Elisa:Do I want to know where you are?
Lawliss:In Eddie’s private jet.
Lauren:OMG! Snapshots.
Aria:Why do you act like you’re poor when you come from one of the richest families, Lauren?
Lauren:Because I’ve seen poverty firsthand?
Elisa:Let’s focus. Lawliss, it’s not an emergency. Just enjoy your time with your man and give us all the juicy details when you return.
Aria:Yeah. And don’t overthink. Just go with the flow. Let your heart lead instead of your head. I wish I had done that.
I pause, rereading Aria’s words. Let my heart lead instead of my head.
I’ve been doing that lately and it first brought Eddie and I together.
From law school to taking my place in our family’s business and opening my own practicing firm, I’ve always planned every step and carefully built everything. I’m about to think of the betrayal, then I swallow down the doubt, preventing it from creeping in.
Eddie is different. This is different.
Instead of overthinking, I close the chat and rest my head against the seat.
