45. Alice
ALICE
I flatten my palms on my thighs in an effort to keep them from twisting in my skirt.
I wish I had my good-luck silver dollar in my pocket, but it’s in my purse, which is wedged into the pocket on the wall in front of me. It’s the one my grandma gave me, and the same one I lost in the hotel room a couple nights ago when Michael had his head up my skirt. Thankfully, Michael found it and returned it to my care just this morning. But since I was paranoid about losing it again, I decided to tuck it into my purse. However, now that we’re minutes away from rocketing through the air, I’m tempted to retrieve it so I can have as much luck as possible.
Michael settles his hand over mine. “There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
I plaster on a smile as I turn to face him. “I’m okay.”
His returning smile is soft. “You’re still a bad liar.”
A stressed chuckle pops out of my mouth. “And you’re not supposed to point out my flaws.”
Michael curls his fingers around mine. “It’s hardly a flaw.”
He lifts our joined hands and presses his lips to my wrist.
My pulse spikes, but this time it has nothing to do with the plane.
A throat clears, and I lift my eyes to find the attendant grinning down at us. “Can I get you two something to drink before we take off?”
Before we take off? That’s a thing?
I glance at the mini water bottles that were left on the armrest between Michael and myself.
I want to ask if these are for us and if they’re free, but I also don’t want to sound like a bumpkin that doesn’t belong in first class, let alone on a plane.
“Maybe some ginger ale?” Michael suggests, and my love for him grows even more.
“Ginger ale would be nice.”
After the attendant steps away, I squeeze Michael’s hand. “Thank you for that.”
He dips his chin. “You can thank me by never talking about touching Joey ever again.”
I stare at Michael for a moment. “What?”
He leans in closer. “You’re little threat earlier, about hugging Joey.” He lifts a brow like he’s daring me to argue. “You’re not to go near him.”
I lift my brow in response. “Are you going to stop hugging the winners?”
He stares at me a beat before he nods. “You’ll be the only person I hug from here until forever.”
I know it’s a ridiculous request for me to make. I know it’s for his job. But I still nod. “It’s a deal.”