and the few minutes of conversation we’d shared had proven he definitely wasn’t my type. Not unless my lack of recent dates had catapulted me into some alternate universe where I ought to go gaga over a thirty-five-year-old guy who lived in his grandma’s basement and was still working on his undergrad degree.
“I’m not going to your wedding with Sherman’s cousin. I already asked someone and I’m just waiting for him to check his schedule.” The lie rolled off my tongue, smoother than a sip of Tennessee whiskey. It would buy me some time. And I did have someone in mind. The UPS driver had a friendly smile, and though we’d never exchanged more than pleasantries, I’d rather ask him than spend an evening listening to Sherman’s cousin talk about his hundred-gallon turtle tank.
“Fine, but I need a name by tomorrow or I’m putting you with Sherman’s cousin. The calligrapher has to finish the last few place cards.”
“Tomorrow,” I agreed. “I’ve got to go, we’re getting ready to board.”
We said goodbye, though I was sure it wouldn’t be for long. At least she wouldn’t be able to call me while the plane was in the air.
When I got to the row I’d be sharing with the tall, good-looking stranger, the overhead compartment was full. Why did people always take the bins at the front of the plane instead of waiting to get to their seats?
“Miss, you’ll need to stow that in an overhead bin.” One of the flight attendants pointed at the garment bag.
“I know. My seat is right here though, and I need it to stay close. Do you see any room?”
“Why don’t you hold on to it until everyone’s boarded? Then I’ll see if we have room in the closet in first class.”
“Thank you.” I gathered the dress onto my lap as I took my seat by the window. The things I did for my sisters. I needed to grow a backbone and learn how to say no once in a while.
“We meet again.” Deacon tucked his carry-on into the space at his feet before folding himself into his seat.
I hadn’t had the chance to take a good look at him before since I was so wrapped up in fighting for a seat and being wanded. Oh God, the wanding. Not only did everyone in security know that I’d been fitted with an IUD, I’d also admitted it to the man candy sitting next to me.
Offering an embarrassed smile, I tried to corral the garment bag into the space between my armrests.
“I guess they didn’t find you a spot in the overhead?” Deacon asked.
“Not yet, but I’m holding out hope I won’t be saddled with it all the way to Nashville.”
His fingers fumbled against my hip, searching for his lap belt.
“Sorry, I think I’m sitting on your seat belt.” I shifted, trying to push the bag aside so I could pull the metal piece from under my ass.
His hand brushed my thigh, sending heat straight to my cheeks before it drifted lower. “I got it.”
“Okay, then.” With my face on fire, I tried to swallow past the giant lump that had just materialized in my throat. How sad was it that having a hot stranger accidentally nudge my thigh was the most action I’d seen in months?
Hot seemed like an inadequate word to describe the man sitting next to me. What would be hotter than hot? I zoned out for a moment, trying to come up with the right word to describe him to my sisters later.
“Is that okay?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, what?” I turned my head slightly, realizing he’d been talking to me while I’d been preoccupied trying to figure out where he ranked on the Windsor sisters scale of hotness. Probably a twelve on a scale from one to ten for me.
“I asked if you wanted to put the bag between us so you have a little more room.” He’d scooted as close to the aisle as he could in the narrow airplane seat. “I don’t want you to suffocate over there and have to explain to your sister that her dress took you out before the wedding.”
Okay, at least a thirteen. A sense of humor had always been my weakness. “Thanks. I’m not sure she’d mind though, as long as the dress made the trip.”
“Ouch.” His forehead furrowed. “Are you and your sister not close?”
Shame at letting my frustration get the better of me made me bite my tongue. “It’s just been an exceptionally trying