34. Sarah

34

SARAH

The two weeks between Leila's gnarly cold and my date night with Vic flew by. I scrambled to get the last pieces of furniture delivered to the lake house, going over multiple times to make sure nothing got damaged.

The kids had finished up their week at Jason's and were back at the house. I gave each of them a massive hug as I stood in the doorway. With all of the renovations going on, today was the only day I could make work to see Vic again.

As I held Ava in my arms, a wave of guilt washed over me.

Zoey, holding her lower back as her baby bump tried to pull her down to the ground, watched on. I could tell that she knew exactly what I was thinking.

I kissed the top of my babies' heads and sent them back to their video games. Once they were out of earshot, Zoey shook her head. "Don't even ask. Yes, it's okay. Everything is going to be fine. Besides, after tonight, I will probably have a brand new baby and won't watch yours for a hot minute."

Laughing, my shoulders dropped. "I'll have my phone on me the entire time. And Robin has Vic's number if I don't pick up for some reason."

"I know. Get out of here." Zoey hugged me, her belly keeping our bodies pretty far about.

I let out a sigh and nodded. "Okay, bye. I love you."

Waving me off, Zoey watched from the door as Robin played with the kids. I hopped into the minivan and put the strange address into my phone.

Once the address loaded into my phone, it showed an open field about 35 minutes away.

Where the fuck was this woman taking me?

My heart started to race as my nerves took over. But given Victoria‘s track record, I had a feeling that this would be something spectacular.

I put the car in drive and got moving. It'd been a while since I'd taken such a long drive by myself. But it felt nice to have a moment of quiet to think. At the start of the summer, I never would've guessed I would be juggling two gorgeous, wonderful women. But it seemed like I was along for the ride.

I zoned out for most of the quick drive, but came back to myself just as I was processing where I had ended up.

Somewhere deep in the woods of Ulster County, a small Airport for charter planes and light aircrafts to land with a small hanger for the few wealthy jet owners in the area.

"What the fuck are we doing here?" I muttered under my breath as I pulled up to the gate. Before I could roll down my window to try and figure out how to get inside, the automatic door started to open. Letting out a hiss of air, I took my foot off the brake and rolled inside.

My jaw dropped as I looked to the empty tarmac where only a helicopter waited.

No fucking way, she has to be kidding.

But as my car came to a stop, parking next to Victoria‘s pristine Porsche, I knew it must be real.

Victoria appeared from inside the hanger and waved me down. Climbing out of the car, I waved back. Even from here she looked incredible. She wore trousers that skimmed her ankles and led into five-inch black, red-bottom heels.

Her blouse, more femme than usual, was a jewel-toned purple with a conservative boat neck. But there was nothing conservative about how incredible her collarbone looked. My mouth watered at the thought of planting delicate kisses along the elegant bone.

I swallowed my excitement and met her halfway between the hangar and the helicopter. "Miss Bradley, what could you possibly have in store?" Shaking my head, I gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Shrugging, Victoria laughed. "Have you ever been on a helicopter before?"

Despite knowing it was rude, I couldn't stop myself from scoffing in her face. "Do I look like the kind of person who's been on a helicopter before? "

A cheeky grin took over Victoria‘s level face. "You look like the type of woman who deserves one all to herself, if you ask me."

My face flushed at the compliment, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear as I tried to hide it. I still hadn't gotten used to being spoiled the way a billionaire app developer could.

Putting her hand around my waist Victoria turned me toward the helicopter while planting a delicate, but assured kiss on my cheek. "Your chariot awaits." She winked as she gestured to the shiny, black aircraft ahead of us.

Once we had turned toward it, the pilot, dressed in an airforce jacket, hopped out of the cockpit and walked toward us. She had a tight crew cut, which certainly met military standards. Something about her face was familiar to me, and in an area as small as New Winford I couldn't be sure that I didn't know her.

She extended her hand to me and shook it. "Hi Sarah, how are you feeling? "

Before I could reply, Victoria shook her hand and explained, "This is Lieutenant Hughes. She's been my heli pilot for a few years now."

I tried to stop my mouth from falling open, the thought of having a designated helicopter pilot blowing me away. I was still getting used to the idea of riding in one on a regular basis.

But the last name was familiar to me, and from the look on the lieutenant's face, she knew why.

"What do I know you from?" Gripping her hand firmly, I was still trying to place her.

The pilot nodded, a light chuckle coming from her lungs. "I was a year or two below you at New Winford High. Most people remembered me because I graduated early and enlisted."

Now that she filled in the blanks, it all made sense. I remembered her face from Veteran's Day celebrations in town; her family would create banners to celebrate her service.

I smiled and pointed toward the helicopter. "How does flying luxury helicopters compare to the Air Force?"

Hughes shrugged. "I don't mind it when these rich assholes bring nice, small town girls like yourself on board."

Victoria rolled her eyes and nudged the pilot. "Are you trying to come for my woman?"

Before the lieutenant could laugh, I raised an eyebrow to Victoria. "Oh, I'm your woman now?"

Clicking her tongue, Hughes snapped her fingers and headed toward the helicopter. "That's my cue."

Victoria squeezed her hand on my hip and lowered her voice as the engine to the helicopter powered up. "You know I only have eyes for you."

Much to my relief, the roar of the helicopter engine and the sound of spinning blades filled the silence, rescuing me from having to answer the question I'd been putting off for a couple months.

Victoria winked at me, not actually expecting me to answer it right now, and guided me toward the helicopter. She ducked her head and placed a protective hand over mine as she guided us toward the helicopter's backseat. She stood next to the metal casing and held her hand out to assist me inside.

My heels clicked against the small metal step into the helicopter. As I used Victoria's hand to lift myself up, I realized I still had no idea where this wealthy woman was flying me off to.

But what I did know was: a stunning woman was taking me on a date and an Air Force pilot was at the helm. What else did I need to know?

But as I stepped into the helicopter, I could feel Victoria's eyes on my body. I was surprised it took her this long to notice my outfit. I wore an ankle-length, black gown that I had mysteriously appeared on my doorstep a few days after that first black box arrived, with the note:

S,

I don't want to give away what

I have planned for us. So, instead,

I've taken care of all the details.

Including what attire is expected.

V

Inside was the gown I now wore on my body, a pair of Yves Saint Laurent heels, a small, matching black clutch, and a pair of earrings. The entire outfit was stunning, and exactly my taste, despite Victoria having only known me for a few months. Maybe it was spending so much time comparing design styles, or maybe she just knew how to read me.

What Victoria couldn't confirm just yet was that I was wearing her first gift underneath the dress as we got settled in the helicopter.

Once we got comfortable, the pilot brought the helicopter up to full speed. I grabbed Victoria's hand and squeezed tightly as I felt the helicopter lift off the tarmac. I felt like the world disappeared under me, and my only safety was Victoria's skin on mine.

Feeling brave I peeked out of the window and watched as we got farther from the asphalt. My stomach had fallen out of my ass. But luckily the cushy, beige leather bench cradled me in place.

Before I knew it, we were towering above the forest canopy of the Hudson Valley and heading, by my calculations, south. I turned to Victoria. "Are you finally going to tell me where you're taking me?"

If I didn't know her so well, I would've thought the grin on her face looked sinister. But in reality, she was pleased with how well she kept the secret.

"I'm taking you to the city." Vic winked.

Rolling my eyes in annoyance, I prodded her for me. "That's all you'll say?"

Vic, tired of shouting over the sound of the spinning blades above our heads, grabbed the two sets of headphones by our legs and passed one to me. She placed a set on her own head and tapped the side to tell me how to use mine.

They were the heaviest headphones I've ever worn. But they made me feel like I was somehow important to keeping this helicopter in the air.

Over the headphones Lieutenant Hughes started to speak, the microphone making her voice sound scratchy. "Ladies if you look ahead on our left, you'll find the Hudson River which we'll follow all the way down to Manhattan."

Vic pointed her long, elegant finger out the front windshield, and sure enough, the Hudson glimmered under the early evening sun.

"God, it's gorgeous." I gawked at the scenery.

Vic moved her hand from mine to the top of my knee, which was gracefully covered by the long gown she had bought me. With enough prodding the fabric would have exposed my knee, but Vic seemed happy to leave it over the fabric for now.

Into her microphone, Vic explained, "the helicopter should get us there in 30 minutes. We should arrive just as the sun is setting over the city. "

Nodding, I turned my attention back to the rapidly passing mountains. All these little towns peppering the Hudson seemed so large when you drove through them. But from this distance, it was hard to deny just how tiny they were.

Time flew by as the scenery changed from remote landscapes to highways and suburbs. Just as I was getting used to the aerial perspective, the skyscrapers of Manhattan came into view.

Over the microphone our pilot started to give us some details. "We'll be landing in the Lower East Side in approximately five minutes."

A part of me couldn't believe we had traveled what normally would've been a two hour drive in just 30 minutes. It was starting to make sense to me how Vic was able to get so much done, despite having such a busy life.

Resting my head against the glass, I took a look at the bustling streets below. They glowed orange as the sun descended below the island's horizon. Even for a weeknight, the city was alive.

Hughes found a spot to land and lowered the helicopter onto the designated pad. The sinking feeling in my stomach came back just for a moment as we made contact with the concrete below us. As soon as the engine started to quiet, I felt myself exhale.

Vic reached across my lap and unbuckled the seatbelt she had clicked into place when I wasn't paying attention.

The lieutenant spoke one more time through the headphones, "Thanks for joining us this evening. Miss Greenwood. We'll be ready to take you home whenever you please."

Vic popped open the helicopter door and squeezed past me to ensure I had someone to lean on as I got out. She held my hand firmly as I stepped out of the aircraft; my feet were a little wobbly on the new heels. Vic smiled at me as I moved, unable to look away

Once my feet were on the ground, Vic closed the door behind us and walked me toward the rooftop exit. We waved at Lieutenant Hughes before disappearing into the building.

The metal emergency door led to a long staircase and one elevator. But the building itself was immaculate, even this random hallway was crystal clean and newly renovated.

Vic hit the down button on the elevator and waited a few seconds. "Any guesses?"

"Truly, none. I think I'm just along for the ride literally and metaphorically." I teased, clutching the small purse in my palms. When I turned to look at Vic, her charming smile sent a wave of nerves through my body.

Her smile only grew, knowing her secret was well kept. "You are the ride."

I nudged her shoulder with a gently closed fist. "Stop being so charming, it's distracting.

Just as her lips parted for what I was sure would be another witty reply, the elevator dinged and its metal doors slid open. Holding the door for me, Vic watched as I walked inside. I hoped she liked her choice of outfit, I certainly did.

She walked in behind me, clicking the lobby and reaching for my hand. Our fingers laced together as the door slid shut.

"Unfortunately, there was not a helipad on the place we're headed. So we'll have to walk a block or two, if you're okay in the heels?"

Biting my lip, I nodded. "I like city walks anyway."

Vic's eyes warmed as the elevator zipped to the first floor. Before I knew it, the pulleys were slowing and the elevator was easing to a halt.

The doors opened to soft jazz and a cozy lobby. A faux fireplace burned at its center, surrounded by chairs for waiting guests. Still holding my hand, Vic led me past the doorman's desk to the front doors. They swung open automatically.

City air smacked me in the face, the heat from the day slowly releasing from the concrete underneath our feet. The lights of every building gleamed, neon signs glowing from the exterior of the East Village's bars.

"Do you come down often?" Victoria turned to me as she guided us toward our actual destination.

Shaking my head, I held her hand tighter. "No, I would come see Zoey every once in a while when we were in college. But she didn't want anything to do with me so that only happened a couple times."

Victoria nodded. "Her loss."

"True." I giggled, thinking about my annoying big sister. "What about you?"

A sweet smile took over Vic's usual cocky grin as she remembered her old days. "I lived here during college and for a few years after while I was developing Pop. But then I moved to L.A. for five years. I came back because the app was headquartered here and it felt ridiculous to be so far from my company."

What had become clear to me about Victoria Bradley in the time we'd spent together was that I had my three babies and Victoria had one. She was more committed to her work than anyone I knew. It was impressive… and sexy.

A part of me wondered what my business would become if I could give it my all.

But I shook off the thought as Vic slowed our walk. We stopped in front of a small, picturesque city building. It had a red brick facade and only sat at four stories tall.

Vic stepped in front of me and pulled open the glass door ahead of us. I could see her arm strain under the weight. Before I could process where we were, a rush of cold air hit me from inside.

My jaw dropped as my heels clicked onto the polished concrete floors. "Vic, are you serious?"