Page 74 of Love Unwritten
You could always suggest being friends.
Except nothing says pathetic quite like asking my son’s nanny, who is on my payroll, to be my friend. God knows I could use one, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to force Ellie into being mine.
No matter how much I want to.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Ellie
I nearly burst into tears as we step off the plane in Honolulu. Not to be dramatic or anything, but I saw my life flash before my very eyes during that random storm. A highlight reel of my favorite moments and biggest regrets played in my head, which was a bittersweet reminder of all the things I’ve left unfinished.
“You did it.” Rafael’s praise makes my heart want to burst.
Seriously? We’re swooning over a simple “you did it”?
“You were such a big kid,” Nico taunts.
I give him a little shove. “Not all of us can be as brave as you.”
“Obviously, because I’m awesome.” His big, goofy grin draws out one of my own.
We follow his father to the baggage claim area. Nico and I play a racing game together on his portable gaming console while Rafael waits with all the other people near the ramp. Both of us want to pick our favorite Formula 1 driver as our playable character, so three quick rounds of rock-paper-scissors determine that Nico gets Elías Cruz. Nico ends up winning both races we play, in part because I’m distracted by everything happening around us.
Rafael and Nico’s checked bags are some of the first to come out, so we have to stand around for my overweight suitcase to make its appearance. I knew it was a bad idea to let my mom and Willow pick my outfits for the trip, but they strong-armed me into choosing clothes that wouldn’t give me a heatstroke in Hawaii.
Five excruciatingly long minutes later, Rafael lifts my suitcase off the conveyor belt without straining a single muscle, although he does rip the heavy tag off the handle. “What did you pack in there?”
“A body.”
Nico giggles while Rafael makes a face.
“Kidding! Just a few things.”
“Like?”
“Five pairs of shoes, a couple of books, Nico’s metal detector, seven of his action figures, and half of my closet.” So, I’m an over-packer. Sue me.
“Are you moving?” Rafael asks in that dry voice of his.
“I’m seriously considering it because there is no way I’m getting on another plane.”
Nico gasps. “But what about getting to Kauai?”
“They don’t have ferries?”
Nico looks up at his dad for an answer.
Rafael shakes his head. “No.”
My hope dies, along with Nico’s excitement.
“Don’t worry, Ellie. We don’t have to do a helicopter or plane ride. We can stay here in Oahu instead.” Nico covers my hand with his.
If this little guy didn’t already own a big part of my heart, I would have gladly given it up for him in this moment because this trip is supposed to be about him and everything he wants. I’m not going to let my fear of planes get in the way of that and him creating special visual memories while he can still enjoy it.
I give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “That’s sweet of you, but there’s no need to change our plans. If I survived the flight here, I can make it through those shorter ones.”
He wraps his arms around me with a smile. “You’re the best and bravest person I know!”