Page 26 of The Flirty Vet

"Two sisters."

"Kids?"

"Two."

Prying, I'm coming to realize, is like popcorn. Once you start, it's very hard to stop.

"How do you have two childr— Wait, why are we turning off?"

I've been paying attention to the road signs, and we've been heading in the direction of Mascot, which is where Sydney Airport is.

"I'm surprising you, remember?"

"How can I forget?" I grumble, falling back in my seat, and forgetting all about our conversation.

Thistakes precedence over everything.

Should I 'fess up and tell him I'm not a good flier and that, despite what I'm sure are his good intentions, whatever surprise he has in store for me is starting to really freak the shit out of me at a time when that's the last thing I need?

Despite taking a turnoff, we're actually closer to the airport than I realized. Up ahead, there's a runway.

I decide to bite my tongue and stay quiet.

Until I see the next road sign… The one forprivate aircraftto take the next left.

Wilby flicks the indicator on.

We turn left.

A rush of nerves crashes into me.

"Okay, Wilby, I need you to tell me what we’re doing."

Maybe it’s my tone, but Wilby finally stops being evasive and reveals, "I’m taking you to Brisbane with me."

I gulp, my chest tightening as a hangar and a few small planes come into view. "In…one ofthose?"

He chuckles. "Well, yeah. What else?"

"Pull over."

"What’s the matt?—"

"Stop the car right now!" I shriek.

He pulls over.

"Sorry. Fuck." I start gulping down air as fear overwhelms me. "I’m not a good flier."

Wilby doesn’t say anything. I face out the window, focusing on the few parked cars I see, trying to get my breathing back to normal.

After a few moments, I turn my head back. Wilby's resting one hand on the steering wheel, looking my way but not directly at me.

I open my mouth. "I'm sor?—"

"Donotapologise for that."

"But I?—"