Ryan buckled himself in. Since Sariah had proposed to him, it was sometimes hard to remember they were engaged. She’d even bought her own engagement ring. Even though it was four months ago, the experience still felt surreal.

Sariah was from a different world. He still wasn’t quite sure what she saw in him. She called him her handsome pilot. Since Ryan was five years younger than she was, maybe he was her boy toy. He chuckled.

“What’s funny?” Jameson glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.

“I was just thinking.”

“Sometimes it’s better not to.”

“You’re a wise man, Jameson.”

They taxied down the runway and were soon airborne. “Hey Jameson.”

“What is it?”

“What does it mean when a girl says she wants to take a break?”

Jameson glanced over. “Seriously? Sariah said that to you?”

“Yeah. I’ve never had anyone tell me that before.”

“I can’t speak for Sariah, but the one time I got those words, it meant we were breaking up.”

“How is that different from we need to talk?”

Jameson seemed to consider his answer. “I think we need to talk is less emotional – more planned. We need to take a break seems more like get away from me.”

“Maybe.” Ryan suspected Sariah would come around. She was just mad about him not being there to take her to the party.

The minute they leveled off, Ryan unclipped his seatbelt and headed to the back. He ignored Jameson’s warning glance.

Charlotte was still buckled in her seat. But when she saw him, she was smiling. “This is so totally awesome!”

He chuckled. “It is, isn’t it?”

“This is one of those fun jobs that pays.”

Ryan grinned. “I always kind of thought so.”

“Is it okay to stand up?”

“It is.” He unclipped her seatbelt and held out his hand. She put her hand in his and held onto the seat with the other.

“It’s like riding in a car.” She smiled. “What do I need to do now?”

“You can offer the newlyweds some wine. And they asked for fruit, so ask if they’d like some fruit.”

She took three steps and turned around, her face pink. “I don’t think they want anything right now.”

“Why not?”

“They’re kissing. Like making out kissing.”

Ryan laughed. “Just check on them now and then. They’ll come up for air.”

“This must be a lot different than flying commercial.”

“It certainly is.”

The plane dropped as they hit an air pocket. Charlotte gasped and grabbed his arms. His arms automatically went around her and held her close. “It’s just turbulence. It’s normal.” He whispered against her ear. Her head fit just beneath his chin.

She nodded and pulled back, but he still had a firm grip on her arms. She looked up, blinked, and their eyes locked. He gazed into her deep green eyes. He’d always had a weakness for green eyes. The very first girl he’d ever kissed – in high school – had green eyes. Like that first crush, Charlotte’s eyes seemed to hold so much depth. So much substance.

He wanted to know what that substance was. What secrets lay beneath that adorable innocent face.

He ran a thumb along her cheek and her eyes fluttered closed as her lips parted slightly.

Oh no. This would not do.

He released her and took a step back. Her eyes opened ever so slightly and he sighed.

He opened his mouth to tell her he was engaged, but changed his mind at the last minute. “Since we’re going through turbulence, you might be safe to buckle back up.”

She nodded and sat back in her chair. She studied the seatbelt a moment, before he bent down and buckled it for her. Her hair smelled like… gardenia.

“I need to go… check on our route. And the weather.” He turned and went back to his seat in the cockpit.

“How’s Charlotte?” Jameson asked.

“Couldn’t be better.” Ryan said.

He, however, needed to be distracted. And soon.