“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 They’d spit fun facts about first flights and outdated laws, and during the flight, Easton would draw pictures on her back and she’d try and guess what they were.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?
Amazing. No, she backspaced and stared at the cursor.
Another announcement sounded overhead.
Wonderful. Romantic. The best time ever…
“Ugh.” She tapped the backspace key again. Thanks for making the whole snowed-in thing…not so bad. I’ll be waving from my round window in five.
Dec 27
Easton: There’s something wrong with me.
Ivy: Oh, no! What is it?
Easton: I got poison ivy.
Ivy: Not funny. You know I’ve heard that one a million times, right?
Easton: Mine’s different.
Ivy: Taking the bait. How?
Easton: Mine only goes away when I’m with you. Think we could get snowed in someplace for New Years?
Ivy: If only. Name the place, and I’ll be there. By the way. I told Marsha that you backed out. She wasn’t happy. In fact, I think she cried a little, but at least you’re off the hook.
Easton: I should feel guilty for making you lie, but I’m far too relieved. Thank you for doing that.
Ivy: It was as much for me as it was for you. Turns out I’ve got a jealous streak. Who knew?
Easton: Is it wrong that I like hearing that?
Ivy: Possibly. But I like that you like it, so I guess we’re even.
Dec 28
Ivy: I just realized something.
Easton: What? That you’re madly in love with me?
Ivy: That during our two-hour conversation last night, you still never named the place for our snowed-in-over-New-Year’s adventure.
Easton: Crap.
Ivy: How are we supposed to get snowed in together if you don’t specify where it can happen?
Dec 29
Easton: The biggest New Year’s storm I see coming is in Minnesota. Not sure I could fashion a yurt there during a blizzard, but I could build us a nice snow cave.
Ivy: Of course you could. My very own caveman, that’s what you are. But I have one crucial question.
Easton: Hit me with it.
Ivy: Will there be moonshine peaches?
Easton: Definitely
Dec 31
Ivy: Happy New Year. I forgot to tell you last night—I shared the square window fact with my family—they were riveted. Any fun plans for this evening?
Easton: What do you mean? I’m waiting for you in a brightly marked snow cave in Minnesota like we planned. Is this a prank? You’re waiting outside my snow cave right now, aren’t you? *Checking…
Ivy: Yep, you caught me. I’m here. Trying to wave, but my extremities won’t move. I’m using voice-to-text until my lips freeze shut.
Easton: I’m very good at thawing frozen lips. As long as they’re your lips.
Ivy: Looking forward to testing out your skills.
Easton: Happy New Year, Ivy. Wish I really could kiss you tonight.
Ivy: Me too. Happy New Year.
Jan 2
Easton: It’s been one week since I’ve seen you. Besides our phone calls and texts, my life feels very boring suddenly. What did you do to me?
Ivy: You really know how to make a girl blush. My life feels lame now too. What are we going to do about it?
Easton: Funny you should ask. We have a group coming through here from the fifth of the month until the nineteenth. What if I came to LA sometime after the twentieth?
The massive squeal that shot from Ivy’s lips made heads at the busy TV station turn.
“Sorry,” she offered from her place among the sea of desks. Well, five desks, to be exact. She set her gaze back on her phone as a rush of excitement filled her body.
Easton was coming to LA! It had been hard for Ivy to be patient since she returned home, but she sensed Easton needed to go at his own pace. He likely needed time to process the idea of dating anyone, let alone a woman from another state. But already he was talking about a trip out to see her. She could hardly believe it was true.
Ivy: I would love it if you came out here! In fact, I just now added it to my calendar and I’ve already dipped it in bronze. That makes it final, right?
Easton: If that’s all it takes to make things final, consider yourself in Colorado by midnight. I’ll write it on my planner now and bronze the crud out of it.