Page 96 of That First Flight
On instinct, both of my hands grip the side of her face, pulling her close to me until we’re a breath apart. “I hate more than anything that the two people who are supposed to love you until the end of the earth have made you feel like this. But it’s done. It’s fucking done. Do you hear me?”
Macey’s eyes widen, and I swear I see her eyes glisten with emotion.
She nods.
“You are one of the strongest and most resilient people I’ve ever met. You are sunshine, Macey Evans. Don’t ever dull that shine for anyone else ever again.”
She nods and a single tear escapes from the corner of her eye. I quickly brush it from her cheek with my thumb before pressing a kiss to the spot where it just fell.
“Now…” I stand from the couch to make my way to the kitchen. “Let’s make something to eat. I’m starving.”
She huffs out an amused laugh as she follows me into the kitchen.
“I actually made us dinner before I left,” Macey says while opening up the bag she brought home with her from work. “I made you a steak with mashed potatoes.”
I groan in delight. “Fuck. Can I keep you?”
Macey chuckles but doesn’t reply.
There’s a part of me that wishes she would say yes. That she would agree to stick around.
As she moves aroundmykitchen, my mind wanders to what’s next for her. We never actually talked about the next step for her. Is she really only going to be staying here temporarily? Once she earns enough from her new job, will she leave to get her own place?
There’s a fear in the pit of my stomach for the first time in my life.
“I can’t help but notice you haven’t left for any work trips in a while,” Macey cuts through my wandering mind as she plates the food. “Is the blog suffering at all?”
I shoot her a grin. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Definitely not.” Her cheeks flame.
Damn, she’s so cute.
“The great thing about blogging is that the internet always works in your favor. My posts from years ago still show up in the top ten when someone searches a place I’ve written about. I also strategically placed ads throughout the pages so I can get paid from that as well.”
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Macey says as she places both plates on the kitchen counter. “It fascinates me hearing about how all that works.”
“Yeah?” I tip my head in question.
“Yeah,” she nods. “You’ve learned a lot about the kitchen and it’s only right that I learn about your blog and how it works.”
Butterflies swarm my stomach as we sit there and eat.
For the next half hour, Macey tells me about her night at work and I tell her about how I worked today answering emails and planning brand collaborations.
We sit next to each other, eating dinner as if we’re a… family, just two people catching up on each other's days while we enjoy a meal together.
I want this for the long haul.
I want this with her.
“You know,” Macey starts. “I don’t think I’ve properly thanked you for all you’ve done for Mackenzie and me. And all youcontinueto do.”
“You thanked me enough last week when you were screaming my name over and over again in my room,” I joke.
“Oliver!” Macey swats my arm.
“I’m just saying.” I laugh, shrugging a shoulder.