Page 63 of Mistletoe and Mayday
“Please—”
“Look, a shooting star!” I point at the helicopter’s searchlight sweeping across the sky. “Quick, make a wish. I wish for more cookies. And some supplies that aren’t from the Stone Age. And?—”
“Stop.” He catches my hand, still pointing at nothing. “Just...stop.”
I pull away, forcing a grin. “Sorry, can’t stop. Doctor said I might have a concussion. Could be permanent. Might never stop talking. You should run while you can.”
“Bailey, we need to talk about?—”
“Your hair?” I interrupt because deflecting is my superpower. “Because, honestly, it’s the first time I’ve seen you look human. Kind of like a stressed porcupine.”
He runs his fingers through said hair, making it worse. The gesture is so familiar now that it hurts.
“Bailey.” The way he says my name makes my stomach flip. “I’m serious.”
“Hi, Serious. I’m Bailey.”
The medic calls my name, saving me from whatever Sebastian was about to say. Whatever truth was about to crack my wall of jokes. I’ve never been so grateful for medical intervention.
The helicopter’s interior smells like antiseptic and metal. They’ve seated us across from each other, close enough to touch but separated by an invisible wall of medical equipment and rescue personnel. Sebastian stares out the window, his profile sharp against the dawn sky.
The light catches on his hair, turning it golden. His hands are clasped tight in his lap, knuckles white with tension. I wonder if he’s thinking about the ring. About Rebecca. About second chances and perfect plans. Abouthow to erase these five days and return to his immaculate life.
He’ll probably call her when we land. Rich people are good at fixing things, at smoothing over cracks until everything looks pristine again. She’ll cry, he’ll forgive. They’ll have their perfect wedding with perfect flowers and a perfect life. The thought twists in my gut like a knife, but perhaps that’s just the altitude.
His eyes meet mine for a split second before darting away. There’s a smudge of dirt still on his jaw from our last firewood run. By tonight, he’ll be clean-shaven and wearing another expensive suit. Every trace of our time together washed away. Cabin Sebastian replaced by CEO Sebastian. Wolf-fighting Sebastian erased by boardroom Sebastian.
But I’ll remember the way he looked collecting pinecones for our little Christmas tree. How he hummed off-key while fixing the roof. The exact shade of blue his eyes turned when he kissed me.
I collect snow globes, but I also collect moments that break my heart.
The helicopter medic hands us each a portable charger. We turn on our phones, and the first phone to buzz is Sebastian’s, making us both jump. His screen lights up with notifications, missed calls flooding in as we hit cell coverage. His real life, reclaiming him one alert at a time.
Fifty-seven missed calls. I count them because I can’t stop myself. His mother’s name appears most often, followed by his assistant, and...Rebecca. My stomach turns, acid rising in my throat.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. When I pull it out, I’m greeted by an avalanche of texts from Mom that start with mild concern and progress to capital-letter hysteria.
Mom
Bailey, are you on your way?
Did your flight get delayed?
BAILEY MONROE, ANSWER YOUR PHONE
Gabriel says your flight should have landed HOURS AGO
BAILEY, I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU’RE IGNORING ME AGAIN
Please let us know you’re okay. Dad’s worried too.
I wince, guilt twisting through me. They think I’ve flaked again. Can’t blame them. It’s not the first time I’ve missed a family gathering. First time was because of bad weather. Second time, work. This time... Well, at least I have a dramatic story to tell. One where I edit out the parts about falling for someone I should never have met.
Mom
Bailey, there’s news about a cargo plane losing contact in Alaska. Please tell me it’s not yours.
Bailey, honey, PLEASE respond if you get this. The news said a B-177 hasn’t checked in. Isn’t that your callsign? I’m calling the airline. Gabriel’s trying to reach Alaska Air Traffic Control. Nobody will tell us anything because of the storm. They just keep saying they lost contact and can’t send a search team until the weather clears.
