Page 10 of Hooking
The flight attendant announces that the doors are closing, and we’re going to taxi down the runway shortly. I guess I really am going on this trip alone. I pull out my earpods and listen to the audiobook I purchased for this trip. I try not to focus on the fact that I’m alone when a warm body plops down in the seat next to me. I pull my earpod out of my ear and look over at a calm-looking Channing. He’s dressed in a pair of Skipjacks athletic shorts and a basic black tee with a baseball hat pulled down over his eyes.
He reaches his hand over and squeezes my thigh as the plane picks up speed down the runway. “I bet you were thinking I was flaking, now didn’t you?”
I open and close my mouth a few times, struggling to find the words, but they don’t come. My mind focuses on the simple touch of Halloway’s hand and the way he traces a figure eight along my bare skin with his thumb sending a wave of heat through my entire body.
“So,” he says, as the plane levels out at cruising altitude. “Sorry I didn’t meet you at the gate, but someone must have told Brooks I was coming on this trip with you, and he had me held up on the phone at security.”
“Funny,” I say, a slight smile forming on my lips. “Hayley had me on the phone at the gate.”
“Really?” he says just as the flight attendant comes by and offers us a glass of champagne.
I take a sip from my glass, letting the fizz from the bubbles dance around my taste buds for a few minutes. Coming on this vacation with Channing is a huge fucking risk. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a risk taker, but something about Channing being here and willing to stray from his usual off-season routine feels different.
“What were Hayley’s words of wisdom? Probably not much different from Brooks, I suppose.”
“She told me not go with you. Said it could damage me more in the end.”
I shouldn’t divulge how being with Channing for a week could damage me. It’s pretty clear no matter how much I thought I moved on from that one night, I haven’t. Clearly, since I’m sitting here watching his mouth curve slightly at the side as he takes a sip from his glass of champagne. God, I just want to lean over and kiss him.
Rein it in, Cass. He doesn’t want you like that. He’s made it clear.
Yet I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like to have Channing fully.
What could have been if he had just given in to our attraction. Our chemistry that night in the hotel room.
Would this trip be our honeymoon?
“Brooks told me if I fucking hurt you, he’s kicking my ass,” he says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “So, here’s to behaving and having a relaxing trip with one another.”
I raise my glass and clink it against his, tossing back the last of its contents as I sink back into my seat. One week. I can handle this, right?
Either that or I’ve completely lost my mind.
Chapter 4
Channing
“Imean it, Halloway. Don’t fuck this up.”
Brooks’ words keep replaying in my mind the entire flight. I knew once he found out I was going with Cassidy, on what should have been her honeymoon, he would have an issue with it. Sure, he wanted me to tell her how I felt, but I don’t think he meant for me to do that on an intimate vacation with Cassidy.
She needed a life raft and like any friend would, I knew I could be that life raft. Give her the vacation and support she needed.
Even if this week may kill me.
The plane wheels touch down on the runway as the captain announces our arrival in Cabo San Lucas. We deplane and collect our bags from baggage claim before making our way toward the arrivals pick up, thinking we’re going to get a cab to wherever we’re going. Yet, Cassidy walks toward a group of professional-dressed drivers holding signs. One who is holding a sign for Mr. and Mrs. Burch.
“Shit,” she mumbles under her breath. “I forgot to call the car service and hotel to change the name on the reservation.”
We stop mid-step as she releases a shallow breath. It kills me seeing her like this. Living with the reminder of what that douchebag did to her.
“Do you trust me?” I ask, grabbing her hand and entwining our fingers.
“What?”
“Do you trust me?” I ask again.
She looks at me as if I’m losing my mind, which may be the truth, but I have to do something to take her mind off things. “I mean, yeah. Always have.”
