Page 63 of Love Off Course

After the past few days, I’m left rethinking everything.

The biggest one is David. I try to think about him. Force his features into my mind. Attempt to remember his smile and the cologne he wears. Nothing comes to mind. It’s as if he’s a distant memory, which is silly because I saw him before he left for Costa Rica.

I’m frowning hard when Damian plops down. In my lap! And I can’t even be mad because it’s Damian. Damian in tight pink leather pants. He smells like peaches and cream oatmeal. My heart does a squeeze inside my chest.

“Go bother someone else,” I grumble.

He pets my hair, grinning at me. “But it’s more fun bothering you.” Then, his brows furl. “Are you okay, babykins?”

I force a smile. “Perfect. You? Ready to get to your project?”

“Nice try. You can’t avoid the question. But for now, we’ll evade.” He sighs dramatically. “I’m shooting for the show, and while I am dying to spruce up this old yacht, I’m feeling worn out. It’s hard being famous.”

I laugh. This time it’s genuine. “Aww, poor you.”

“Yes, poor me,” he whines. “They make me work so hard. All I want to do is pretend to be Doris’s son and drink margaritas all day with my bestie. Is that too much to ask?”

“You’re rich. You could do it.”

“But what about all those poor boats?” he hisses, holding his palm to his chest. “They need me.”

“I brought you a double since you have to deal with him,” Lawton says, putting my drink in the cupholder. “Should I call security?” He smirks at me.

My heart does a flutter.

Camilo is security at Hotel Zaragoza.

Would he be security way up above the clouds?

“She’s thinking about him,” Damian tattles. “You can always tell because she gets this girly, dreamy look and her cheeks turn pink.”

“Go away,” I groan. “Get off my lap.”

He picks up my drink and sips it. “Gross, Lawton. What is this?” He sniffs it. “Tequila straight? Where’s like the yummy margarita part?” Damian kisses me right on the mouth, making me laugh, before he stands up. “Stay here, sexy mama. I’m going to get something to add to that drink to make it taste better.”

Lawton trails after him and they argue at the drink station, swatting at each other like siblings. Doris tells her son to behave. Damian actually listens, which makes me grin.

God, I’m going to miss these people.

As my mind drifts to Camilo, the door to the cabin opens. Now that we’re in the air, they can do their autopilot thing and terrorize us. Me, specifically.

Carson flashes me a wicked smile as he strolls out of the cockpit. Camilo peeks out behind him, making my heart stop in my chest.

“This is your captain speaking,” Carson says. “The weather looks great. We’ll arrive in La Fortuna Airport before supper. Before we let you settle in for your flight, I just wanted to tell you all I enjoyed myself immensely on my forced vacation with the Funky Flyers.”

Damian takes a bow, making sure to bend his ass right in front of Carson. Carson simply laughs.

“This song’s for you guys,” Carson tells us as he fiddles with his phone. It’s connected through the Bluetooth speakers and then the familiar beat of “Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp starts playing.

Damian dances in a silly way that makes everyone laugh, including me. When I feel a heated gaze on me, I can’t help but draw my attention to the cockpit. Camilo looks handsome as ever in his cocky pilot outfit and his usual smirk. He looked at me the same way before he pounced on me and made love to me. Every part of me is bruised and sore from our sex-filled night. I even noticed a few hickeys this morning after my shower.

Eventually they’ll fade.

Will the memories fade too?

My blood seems to chill and I shiver. Grabbing the complimentary blanket, I pull it up over me and drag my gaze away from the hot pilot to the clouds.

For once in my life, I want something I can’t have. I’m used to going after things I’ll eventually have. With Camilo, it’s impossible. We’re worlds apart when it comes to our lives.

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