Page 13 of Unmasking Secrets
CHAPTER EIGHT
ARCHIE
Priority boarding and first class? I’m still not sure how that happened. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. It was a small step up from the bag of peanuts I was used to—I still requested the damn peanuts—only to discover they didn’t offer them anymore.
That should’ve been my first sign.
I’ve always loved to fly, even the idea of it. There is something about being up in the clouds that eases my soul. It’s a freedom I can’t explain to anyone. They either understand, or they don’t.
Today, even the window seat wouldn’t calm my nerves. There’s a difference between when I’m the one in control behind the yoke and being on a commercial flight with two hundred strangers. While I’m technically working, it doesn’t help. I wonder if she’ll let me control the flights from now on. I have no problem reaching out to my connections to get some private planes and being the one to fly us where she wants to go.
It was windy when we arrived, which isn’t the pilot’s fault. The turbulence didn’t help when I was already on edge. We had tocircle around before we could land, and the extra twenty minutes in the air was exhausting.
Then, her suitcase got lost. It’s one of the reasons I always pack light and carry on, less chance for a screwup.
When we get to the hotel, there’s a mix-up with the rooms. Okay, no big deal. I’m fine paying out of pocket for a suite for us to share a space but for her to still have her own space. Only the hotel is booked solid. I considered trying to convince her to stay somewhere else, but this is where everyone is staying. There is also already extra security here, and I like the look of it.
“We can see about going somewhere else,” she whispers next to me.
I know that’s not really what she wants, though.
“No, it’s fine, Tab.” It would be stupid to go somewhere else when this is the hotel she’s supposed to be at for the event.
We grab the hotel key cards, ride the elevator up, and then make our way to our room. At least we can rest for a bit since nothing is supposed to start until tomorrow.
“If I don’t hear from the airline soon, we’re going to have to run a quick errand. My basic stuff like contacts, makeup, and electronics are all with me because I always pack them in my carry-on. I still need clothes other than the ones I’m wearing. The company has the costumes, the dress, and your suit for the premiere tomorrow.”
I nod as I unlock and open the door.
One.
Fucking.
Bed.
“Well,” she pauses as she enters behind me. “It’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before.” She laughs. “I mean, we were like twelve the last time I think, but it’s fine.”
I smile. When we were younger and our moms took girls’ trips together, we always asked to stay the weekend together. That was before the awkward teen years, when our parents didn’t think it would be a good idea anymore. Not that it kept us from sneaking into each other’s houses. We weren’t just best friends—we were inseparable during that time of our lives.
Just friends, though.
“Are you hungry?” Tabitha opens up her backpack, grabs a plug, and starts charging things.
“I could eat.” I put my bag next to my small suitcase.
“Let’s grab dinner. If we don’t hear from the airline by the time we’re done, then we can go shopping. I just need a few things, and there’s a shopping strip nearby.”
Half an hour later, we’re sitting across from each other in a dark booth at a small burger joint. It’s nothing fancy, and I’m grateful for it. Everything about Tabitha now makes it seem like she wouldn’t like these kinds of places anymore.
Maybe she hasn’t changed as much as I assumed. Not that we’ve talked much over the last week. It’s been all surface level and a little awkward.
I do my best to hide the grin as she orders a milkshake with her burger, like me. It’s just like when we used to meet up after high school. It feels like a lifetime ago. Then I look at her, and it feels like no time has passed.
“What?” She catches me staring after the server leaves the table.
I shake my head. “Strawberry milkshake? Really? You know chocolate is always better.”
Tabitha laughs. “I disagree. Strawberries are superior.”
