The Prince's Devious Proposal - Holly Rayner Page 0,18

me,” Petr said. “I know this is a little weird—taking off with someone you don’t know very well. But I think it’s going to be an exciting adventure.”

“I think so too,” Naomi agreed. “And I could use a little adventure right now. It feels like a very long time since anything exciting has happened to me.”

“That’s sad,” Petr said, putting his hand over hers.

“Well, I had myself persuaded that it was normal,” Naomi said. “That it was just time for me to put my fantasies aside and grow up. Everybody has to get a job eventually, right?”

“Not everybody has to work for a boss as cruel as the one you described, though,” Petr said. “And not everyone works in an industry they don’t care about. Even if you’re right and your musical career is over, that doesn’t mean you have to sit behind a desk and do what Dick tells you for the rest of your life.”

“Rick,” Naomi corrected.

“Whoever,” Petr said. “My point is that it’s not too late to embrace adventure. Your life can still be full of wonderful things. I’m willing to bet that your best times are still ahead of you.”

Naomi didn’t know what to say. She had plenty of experience with people talking about the end of her career as a musician. Her mom, before she passed, had always said that she was talented and capable and that she could return to music any time she wanted. But that had often made her feel like a quitter, like someone who had lost what they loved through sheer lack of effort.

Her friends—all of whom were people she had met since her retirement from music—loved to reassure her that there was no shame in having moved on, that working in an office was normal and what everybody did. But that was a drag. It made Naomi feel like her future was bleak and empty.

Petr was the only person who had ever really managed to talk about this topic in a way that made Naomi feel hopeful. It was okay if her music career was over. That was what he was saying. It didn’t mean that her life was over.

The flight attendant returned with their drinks and requested that they fasten their seat belts for takeoff. A moment later, the plane began to back away from the gate. As they sped down the runway, Naomi clung to her cosmopolitan glass, very glad that she was able to enjoy this flight in such exquisite comfort.

After they had been in the air for a few hours, the flight attendant came around again and offered to convert their seats into beds for them. Naomi watched as the woman efficiently reclined her seat and arranged blankets and a pillow. “Sleep well,” she said. “Be sure to press the call button if you need anything.”

“Will you be able to sleep?” Petr asked.

“Definitely,” Naomi said with confidence. She hadn’t believed that sleep would be possible on this flight, but looking at that warm, inviting bed, she knew that it would be easy.

She got in. Petr dimmed the lights above them and followed suit. “I’ll see you in a few hours,” he said with a grin.

She felt her heart beat a little faster at his charming smile. “See you then,” she said, hyperaware of the fact that she was about to sleep next to him. It felt extremely intimate.

She rolled onto her side, turning her back to him, but she was still conscious of his presence beside her. He was so close.

Is he thinking of me too?

He had done this on purpose. He had booked seats together knowing that this would happen. He had mentioned his own liking for the window seats—well, he could easily have had one, if he’d wanted to. Naomi wouldn’t have complained about being seated solo.

But she had to admit, this arrangement was nicer.

Sleep stole over her quickly as the plane rode over currents of air. Her dreams were erratic, nonlinear, but again and again Petr’s face rose to the forefront of her mind.

She awoke to a hand on her shoulder. Petr was looking down at her, a flight attendant waiting nearby.

“They have to turn the beds back into seats before landing,” he said gently.

She got to her feet, feeling groggy, and the flight attendant set to remaking her seat.

“How long did I sleep?” Naomi asked.

“About seven hours,” Petr said. “I woke up about an hour ago, but I let you sleep a little longer. I don’t want you to be tired