Page 133 of Meant to Be

Before she could change her mind again, I turned and went to my bedroom, fished the ring out of my top dresser drawer, and ran back to the kitchen.

“Here,” I said, handing it to her.

She gave me the saddest look, then took it and slipped it onto her right hand. I would have preferred the left, but it was better than nothing. I was back in the game, and I felt a dash of hope that I could win her back over the course of the weekend. For now, less was more, and I would focus on logistics. Take charge.

That’s when I got the idea to take my plane. Fly her down. Cate wasn’t a girl who got caught up in luxury, but I figured it couldn’t hurt.

“So, listen,” I said as casually as I could. “I think I’m gonna fly myself down to Annapolis…. Do you want a lift?”

Cate looked surprised. “In your plane?”

“Yeah.”

“But we already booked flights—”

“I know. But I thought this would be more fun. Plus, we can avoid the crowds and paparazzi,” I said, keeping my voice breezy.

“Have you ever flown that far?” she asked, chewing on her lower lip, looking worried.

“It’s not far at all. It’s a quick, easy flight. And Peter said the weather is looking beautiful this weekend,” I added. “Honestly, it’s a piece of cake.”

“Won’t your mother and Berry be worried?”

“Probably. But tough,” I said, making a point, just in case the two of them had anything to do with Cate’s change of heart.

“Okay,” she said, nodding. “What time would we go?”

“It’s obviously flexible. But I’m thinking we could leave the city around two or three. Get to the airport by four. Take off shortly after that. That way we’ll be landing right at sunset. It will be beautiful.”

She hesitated a few more seconds, looking down at her ring, as she twisted it twice around her finger. Then she looked back up at me, gave me a slight smile, and nodded. “Okay,” she said. “That sounds nice. Thank you, Joe.”

---