Page 106 of Stick With Me
“You gotta do something big. I’m thinking, surprise her with a grand gesture. Women love a grand gesture. Something unforgettable.”
“Okay…” I can’t wait to hear what he comes up with.
“Oh, oh, I’ve got it! Start with a helicopter ride, then take her to a cliff overlooking the beach for a romantic dinner. Finish it off with fireworks?—”
“You literally just described the last date Matt took the brunette on inYou’re The One.”
“Lara,” he corrects. “Well, it was a successful date. No harm in stealing a play that’s proven to work.”
“Except we don’t live near a beach, and Hannah is scared of heights. I don’t think a helicopter ride would go over well.”
“No, that’s perfect!” He nods enthusiastically.
“Huh?”
“If she’s scared, you can comfort her. I’m really liking this idea.” A wide grin spreads across his face.
“I don’t know, man.” I shake my head, still not convinced. “This could go sideways fast.”
“No, it’s gonna be great. Trust me.”
I shouldnothave trusted him.
“Take a deep breath, baby,” I try to comfort Hannah as she hyperventilates beside me in the helicopter. Glancing out the window, my stomach churns and I’m not even afraid of heights.I’m going to kill Fox.“Fuck, I’m sorry. This is all my fault.” I run a hand through my hair. At this rate, I’ll be bald by the time we make it back to land with how many times I’ve repeated the motion.
I rest my forehead against hers, trying to calm us both down—Hannah, because we’re hundreds of feet above Lake Michigan in a helicopter and she’s losing it, and me, because she’s about thirty seconds away from a full-blown panic attack and I’m the cause of it.
I knew it was a bad idea the moment Fox suggested it. The uneasy feeling hit me again when Hannah forced a smile and went along with this absurd plan with very little protest. I could see right through her assured words. “This is going to be fine,” she murmured repeatedly as the pilot got us ready for the ride. I should’ve backed out then, but I was too focused on making this date over-the-top special, so I pushed through my doubts. Wrong move.
“Yeah, this is your fault. Why did I go along with this? Why did you even think this was a good idea? You know me, heights and I are not friends.” Her words come out in a rush.
“You’re right. This was stupid. This is the last time I take advice from Fox,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck.
“How’re we doing back there, folks?” The pilot’s voice comes through our headsets.
“Fine,” Hannah says at the same time I say, “Not good.”
His chuckle fills our ears—at least someone finds this funny—before the feed is cut off, and only a buzz from the intercom system fills the silence.
“Why is Dom to blame for this?” Her rapid breaths slow with the distraction of new information.
“I’m embarrassed to even tell you. We should’ve never let him watch that damn show with us.”
She laughs,a step in the right direction, so I press on, “He got the idea that a helicopter ride was grand and romantic… and that if you were a little scared, I could be the hero and comfort you.” The last part comes out in a rush, hoping she won’t catch it. But with these damn headsets, it comes through loud and clear.
Her face is unreadable, but the fact that she’s not trying to toss me out of the helicopter is a good sign. Honestly, I wouldn’t blame her if she did.
“Why are you taking dating advice from Dominic? I mean, I love the guy, but he’s kind of clueless.”
“Yeah, that just shows how desperate I am,” I admit, running a hand through my hair, again.
“For what?” Her brows scrunch together.
“Isn’t it obvious?” I glance away, my heart pounding.
“Not to me.”
“I’m desperate for you, Hannah.” My eyes finally meet hers.
