Haze - By Andrea Wolfe Page 0,66

about tomorrow when today was the best possible thing it could be. When todays were like that, you could never get enough of them.

And the better they were—better meaning you lost track of time and only noticed when they were over—the more you realized you'd never have another day just like them. No two days could ever be the same, no matter how hard you tried. The world couldn't be controlled like that, no way.

Like everyone else on the planet, I liked a good time. I liked a great time even more. When I was strapping myself into that private jet's seat next to Jack, I realized that time spent with him had been my great time—and it hadn't been short lived, something that defied everything I knew.

It was day after day of physical and mental bliss, the sort of thing that made you ask, Is this really happening to me?

Purposely distancing myself from Jack had just served to mask how I was really feeling, to take me out of the vulnerable position of being near him that instantly brought me to my knees. I didn't worry when I was around him, didn't over think everything I did and said. It made me vulnerable in the best possible way. I was genuinely living for the moment.

Sure, I had my job and all of that. And I wasn't about to blame Jesse or Laura or anyone else for my own indecision. Sometimes you latched onto whichever voice spoke to you first when you were craving advice. That didn't mean it was always the best advice or the best decision to make, but it also didn't mean it was the worst.

What kind of man jumped back into the picture with a surprise trip to California on a private jet, anyway? I think that's what you'd call a keeper. I hoped I was right. Timothy would have never done something like that, not now, not ever.

He also would never be as rich as Jack, but that was never the deal breaker for me. Although I appreciated it, Jack was far more than just his wealth. I would never be some gold digger, even if people assumed that about me for dating a rich, famous guy. Outward appearances could be deceiving; I learned that early on, thankfully.

By that point, the plane was taking off. It seemed to be a little more rough than take offs in larger planes—his plane was also much smaller and more personalized than a huge 747 full of random strangers—but I felt safe and secure next to Jack, even though our safety was totally in the pilot's hands.

"It's rough sometimes," Jack said, as if reading my mind. "Tim is really good, though. Don't worry."

Tim, huh? I swallowed the lump in my throat after imagining my Timothy flying the plane.

Sorry, folks, but I hate you both, and so we're going to crash into a mountainside in about ten seconds. Goodbye, cruel world!

Jack sensed my nervousness—he probably attributed it to the take off and not my morbid vision—and offered me his hand. I took it. Our fingers immediately locked and held that way. His firm touch brought my mind back to earth as the plane became airborne. I chuckled at that thought.

We sat there together in loud silence, the plane roaring as it battled the wind during its ascent. The sun looked breathtakingly gorgeous from outside the window, and the realization that we'd be following its setting the whole trip made me even happier.

When we reached our peak altitude, the plane evened out and the engines quieted to a comfortable level. Jack stood up and stretched. "No big deal, right?"

I smiled at him. "That was just fine. Ten minutes ago, I didn't know where I was going. And now I'm on a private jet with you." I suddenly noticed his aftershave, a refreshing scent that was just pure man. As usual, his hair was perfectly styled, the top three buttons on his button-down shirt unbuttoned.

"Let's go sit on the couch. I meant it when I said the seats were just for takeoff."

I laughed. "Okay. Whatever you say."

"Do you want something to drink?" His hand motioned toward a fully stocked bar. "I've got a cocktail how-to book if you try to stump me."

"You're never supposed to admit weakness, Jack!" I stood beside him, eyeing the colorful cover of the book he mentioned.

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