Page 4 of Not Your Girl
“It was so weird. One minute he’s giving me a stern talking to about not bringing water through security and the next my entire suitcase is open on the table. Life comes at you fast whenyou’re violating airport security rules. So anyway, what were you doing just standing there staring at me like a weirdo?”
“You were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen, and when I saw your face, my feet forgot how to move.”
Motherfucker. That is the opposite of cool.
Amelia’s face flushes. “I love true crime,” she says quickly, in what I’m assuming is an attempt to change the subject from my accidental confession. “Shows, podcasts, movies, all of it. That’s why I’m oddly fixated on kidnapping. All crime, really.”
“I cry every time I watch the movieMiracleabout the 1980 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team.”
She screws up her face in confusion. “What?”
“I thought we were doing confessions. You confessed that you’re kind of a freak, and I confessed that I cry my eyes out every single time I watchMiracle.”
Amelia gives me an unimpressed look. “That’s not a confession. Everyone cries when they watchMiracle.”
The flight attendant stops by to ask if we need anything, and we both decline. “Everyone absolutely does not cry when they watchMiracle. Some people don’t even know aboutMiracle, the best sports movie in the entire world.”
She shrugs. “I do. I love it. All sports movies, really, but there’s just something aboutMiracle.”
I press a hand to my chest. “Mystery Girl, we’re obviously meant to be.”
Amelia grabs a bag of gummy bears from her tote and tears it open, picking out two red ones and tipping the bag to me. “Any color except for red.”
“What if red is my favorite?”
“Red is everyone’s favorite. I don’t think I know you well enough to share my red ones yet.”
I dip into the bag, my fingers brushing against hers, and that same jolt spreads out from where our skin touches. Jesus. If thisis attraction, I’ve been doing it wrong this whole time. I take a couple orange gummy bears and chew thoughtfully. “I really do like red the best, so I think we better get to know each other, and fast.”
She studies me, running her tongue along her bottom lip in a way that makes me want to lean forward and devour her mouth. Lock her in the bathroom with me and join the mile high club. Take her to my house and never let her leave.
Ugh, maybe I am the creeper. But, like, look at her.
“Okay seat thief, whatcha got?”
“What were you doing in San Francisco?”
She averts her gaze for a split second before landing back on mine. “Work. You?”
“Sort of work, sort of play. I had a conference for a few days and then spent some time with friends. Is Boston home?”
She looks like she’s debating whether to answer me or not but then shrugs and nods. “Yep, for a few years now. What about—” She breaks off when the plane jerks. Letting out a shaky whoosh of breath, she clamps her hand down on mine and holds tight while the plane keeps bumping along.
“You’re fine,” I murmur, laying my free hand on top of hers, stroking my thumb over her knuckles. “It’s just turbulence.”
She squeezes her eyes shut and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. The vulnerability and tinge of fear on her face has my heart lurching. I want to keep her hand in mine and wrap her up and make her feel safe forever.
She takes one more deep breath and opens her eyes, glancing over at me. “Thanks for the save, El.”
Shit, her shortening my name is making me feel some kind of way. “Mystery Girl, I don’t even know you and I already think I would do anything for you.”
She blinks at me. “Wow, you really just come right out with it, don’t you?”
I shrug, grabbing a couple more gummy bears and tossing them into my mouth. “I’ve never been a beat around the bush kind of guy. I prefer to say what’s on my mind.”
She eyes me. “Even if what’s on your mind is hitting on a stranger?”
I grin at her. “But you’re not a stranger anymore, are you? I mean, I’ve seen your underwear, we’re sharing a snack, and I know you’re afraid of flying, love true crime, and cry atMiracle. That seems like a solid friendship foundation to me.”
