Page 157 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
The trip to the airport is mostly silent. Our three vehicle convoy stays closely together, and once we get through the heavy Cherry Beach traffic, the SUVs pull up on the tarmac near the Circle 8 Learjet.
As we approach the boarding stairs, the managers talk loudly on their phones, seemingly needing to get all their calls in before the one-hour flight to Ferndale.
“Wow,” Wyatt breathes as he grabs the staircase railing. “It’s a private plane, Joze.”
Tingles electrify in my veins, watching the wonder in his eyes. “See. Told ya you were big-time now.”
Wyatt laughs, and I follow him onto the plane.
“Mr. Hayes, it’s an honor to have you aboard once again,” the flightattendant says, placing a hand on her chest. “My name is Claire and I’m here for anything you need. And, hello again, Miss Bartlett.”
I wave. “Hi Claire.”
Claire shows us into the cabin, giving Wyatt extra attention. We find our seats, and she still hasn’t fussed over Portia, who’s sitting two rows away from us with Jenna.
Claire hovers a hand over her mouth as she chuckles. She lowers her hand and leans in to whisper, “I should never admit this, but you’re my favorite of the Circle 8 members to have aboard.”
Wyatt snorts at her admission.
“It’s true,” Claire insists. “It’s rare to find someone who hasn’t let fame go to his head, and still uses his please and thank yous.”
“Oh, well, you’re welcome.”
“Please, let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your flight more enjoyable,” Claire says sincerely. “I can’t fathom how difficult things must be. Dealing with a life that doesn’t feel like your own. Can I get you anything?”
Wyatt tugs me close as he leans over to ask Claire, “How soon are you taking this plane back to Victoria Falls?”
“We’ll need to refuel and clean the cabin. We’ll have a few hours before our next flight.”
Wyatt sits back with an exhale. “Phew. You’re not taking her away too soon.”
Claire’s eyes land on me with warmth. “Are you nervous about your next flight?”
I snuggly wrap my arm around Wyatt’s. “Only about leaving him.”
Claire smiles and nods. “Anything else, you two?”
I grin. “Jellybeans. We need jellybeans.”
Wyatt laughs. “Do they have them?”
“We always have them, waiting for you,” Claire replies. “I’ll return with them soon.”
Wyatt kisses my cheek. “What made you ask for jellybeans?”
“Claire gave them to me on my flight over,” I reply. “Maybe if we get a sugar rush, we won’t think about not being together.”
“Hope it works. I want to stretch out our remaining time together.”
Captain Frank Ford greets everyone in the cabin, making an effort to shake Wyatt’s hand. Wyatt is awestruck from all the attention, still reeling from the fact the private plane is a real thing. Captain Ford lets us know he’s about to take off, and everyone gets settled in their seats.
Once we’re in the sky, there’s a bowl of jelly beans in front of us. People begin unbuckling, and there’s a relaxed air inside the plane.
Wyatt sinks into his seat, his arm resting across my shoulders. I cuddle into him, needing so badly to forget this is our last day together.
Wyatt fidgets against me, and bats his hand in the direction of the aisle. “Nuh-uh. Keep going.”
I look down the aisle and find Randall approaching. He lifts a finger, saying, “But I...”
