Page 56 of Tempt My Heart

They grabbed the bags and put them in the car before she turned to hug Freya and Jesse goodbye.

“Hope you have the best time,” Freya whispered as she let go and Ali smiled.

“Kick Jared in the balls for me,” Jesse said cheerfully as she smacked a kiss onto her cheek.

“Love you both,” she called as she climbed into the car and Christopher closed her door. They were still waving as they pulled out of the drive and headed to the airport.

* * *

David and Rosewere already on the plane by the time they arrived and Maia emerged from the bathroom on board as they took their seats.

“You know, I’ve never flown privately before,” she remarked as she swung her legs in awe of the space.

“We can tell,” Denver said with a roll of his eyes.

“Don’t be a snob, Den,” she chided and they continued taunting one another as they began their ascent. “Christopher? What’s wrong?”

“He hates flying,” Denver said, a little too gleefully as Ali narrowed her eyes at him and Christopher stood abruptly and made a beeline for the bathroom. David snorted but Rose looked sympathetic.

“I’m the same on boats,” she said by way of explanation and Ali nodded as they all winced at the sounds emerging from the bathroom.

“Nothing says romantic Napa getaway like vomit, huh?” Denver raised an eyebrow at her and they all grimaced again as they heard Christopher retch.

“Should I go and check on him?”

David shook his head. “Let him get it all out. He’ll come back when it’s safe.”

Denver snorted and they all ignored him as Rose turned to her and raised a bottle.

“Champagne?”

“God, yes.”

By the time Christopher returned to his seat, they’d polished off two entire bottles and were making their way through a third. “Feeling better?”

“Yes, thanks. It’s only really takeoff that gets me.”

Ali patted his arm sloppily. “Well, we’re already off so you should be fine,” she slurred and Denver smirked. She leaned in close to Christopher and whispered, “Do you think the cops will shoot Jared?” Denver and Christopher shot her identical baffled looks until she shrugged. “Jesse asked me to hit him in the balls for her but like, is it a bit too harsh to do that if he gets shot?”

“He did burn your mom’s house down,” Denver pointed out and she nodded.

“Good point.”

Christopher seemed content to watch them banter, their questions getting more and more ridiculous until finally he decided to confiscate what was left of the champagne.

“If you guys don’t ease off we’ll be carrying you out of the plane,” he teased and David nodded as Rose and Maia giggled together in the corner.

“Oh god. You’re right. What if I puke on the bride?” Ali blurted and Rose laughed harder.

Christopher cringed. “I really, really, wouldn’t recommend it.”

Ali hummed in response, focusing on the rolling landscapes passing out of her window as the plane began its descent. “Is Napa nice?”

Denver shrugged. “Chris would know better than me. Isn’t this where your parents live?”

Christopher smiled as he covered her hand with his. “Napa’s beautiful. As for my parents, I honestly couldn’t say. They do have a place here but they travel a lot now that they’re retired.”

“Must be nice,” she said softly and he squeezed her hand. “I went to Texas once. That’s about it.”

---