Snowed In For Christmas: A Fun Feel-Good Holiday Romance Novel - Kimberly Krey Page 0,40
on them as they walked along the outdoor walkway, which made her thin coat finally adequate for the weather. Still, as warm as the rays of sunshine felt against her skin, Easton was even warmer.
“I was happy to do it. Besides, I couldn’t have you get stuck someplace on your way back. Who knows if the car rental guy would try to swoop to your rescue and take you back to his secret dwelling in the woods.”
She laughed, but the sight of the double doors brought her mind back to the task at hand. Saying goodbye to Easton. She slowed, and he did the same, bringing her rolling luggage to a halt. She turned to face him, resting her hands on his chest, and reminded herself that he’d agreed to give this a try. For all the reservations Ivy had regarding love, she inwardly knew Easton’s demons reached deeper than her own. Which made his wishes to continue this, to explore where it might lead, a great triumph in her mind.
“This isn’t really goodbye,” she said. “It’s…”
“I’ll see you later,” he filled in for her.
“Exactly.” She nodded and pinned her lips closed.
“Well then, Ivy,” Easton said, sliding his hands onto her hips and bringing his mouth very close to her ear. “I’ll see you later.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, then pulled back to give her wink.
Her head went light. “See ya,” she said, nodding toward the luggage. “I can take that now. The drop-off is right through these doors.”
“Okay then.” Easton helped her take ahold of her luggage, then gave her hand a final squeeze. “Travel safe.”
She nodded. “I will.” And then she was off. Hurrying through the door he held open for her and into the crowd. The recollection of his lips at her cheek still sending delicious waves of bliss over her skin. She was probably smiling like a fool. A big goofy love grin that one might spot a mile away.
“How are you doing today, ma’am?” the gentleman across the ticket counter asked.
“Good, thank you.” How soon was too soon to text Easton? She wondered what it would be like to go on a trip with him. To hold his hand all the way through the security line. They’d spit fun facts about first flights and outdated laws, and during the flight, Easton would draw pictures on her back and she’d try and guess what they were.
Similar thoughts went through her mind as she made her way toward her gate, waited among a crowd of fellow passengers, and eventually boarded the plane herself. She’d been tempted, at least two dozen times within that forty minute time frame, to send a snarky or flirty text to Easton, but she resisted the urge. Who knew how much would be too much? Or what time frame would feel like too soon?
The thoughts planted her first bout of insecurity over their plan to…to see where things went. Which, when she considered it, wasn’t much of a plan after all. Would she be forced to tiptoe around her urges to send him a silly message? Or call about her day? Would his idea of staying in touch look more like a quarterly report with the boss?
The overhead announcements started up, reminding Ivy that it was time to switch her phone to airplane mode. She resigned herself, while digging into her handbag for the device, to the fact that she might not hear from Easton for days. Even if she did touch in after landing in LA safe and sound. Yet just as she pulled the phone from her bag, it let out a small buzz in her hand.
A quick glance caused Ivy’s heart to take flight.
Easton: Do you know why airplanes have round windows instead of square?
She hurried back with her reply, smiling as she typed it out.
Ivy: No, why?
Easton: Sharp corners from the square windows were compromising the safety of the aircraft. Rounded windows take the pressure better.
Ivy: Nice! I can’t wait to make eyes roll when I tell my family that one.
Easton: Already feeling a little lonely. I used to like being alone. Thanks a lot for ruining that.
Ivy grinned. Turned out sarcasm was one of her love languages. She texted out one last reply, knowing she’d have to switch it to airplane mode soon.
Ivy: You’re quite welcome. Thanks for making the whole snowed-in thing…
Ivy glanced about the plane, feeling as if she had an audience to witness what she was about to text. Making it what?