As I sat in the seat, I gripped the leather arms until my knuckles turned white. I stared out the window and tried to divert my mind to something else other than how the plane was going to lift off the ground. The girls around me were talking and laughing, but soon, they became nothing but distant sounds in a tunnel.
“Hey, are you okay?” Stefan asked as he walked over.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” A fake smile crossed my lips.
“No, you’re not.”
He asked Kirsty, one of Julia’s friends, if she could sit somewhere else. After she exited the seat, he sat down, buckled his seat belt and placed his hand over mine which tightly gripped the arm rest.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a nervous flier?”
“I didn’t know I was. I’ve never flown before.”
“Oh. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
“Easy to say coming from someone who is a frequent flier.”
“True. But I promise you’re going to be okay.”
The plane started to taxi down the runway and my heartrate sped up. My skin instantly became heated, and the air constricted my lungs. I felt as if I was suffocating.
“Look at me, Alex.”
Slowly turning my head, I stared into his eyes.
“It’s going to be okay. As long as I’m here, you have nothing to fear. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. You’re safe with me. Breathe with me.”
My heartrate began to slow down with each deep breath I took.
“There you go.” He smiled as his thumb swept across my cheek.
“Thank you,” I whispered in humiliation.
“You’re welcome. See, no big deal, right?” he asked as we were up in the air.
“Are you okay?” Julia asked as she walked up.
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“Oh my gosh, don’t you dare apologize. I know exactly how you feel, except I freak out driving during rainstorms. I’ll tell you all about it one day.”
“Thanks, Julia.”
The weekend had gone by quickly and I had an amazing time in Vegas. Stefan and I shared an incredible suite and had more sex than we should have. But the most amazing part of the trip besides spending it with friends was when I put a twenty-dollar bill into a slot machine and won a jackpot of five hundred and sixty-four dollars. After I cashed out, I followed Stefan over to the Roulette table where he won two thousand dollars and called me his good luck charm. I was genuinely happy. For the first time since my mother died, I was happy with my life.
It was Monday morning and as I was packing Lily’s lunch, I reminded Stefan about career day at her school.
“Don’t forget. You and your brothers have to be there at ten o’clock.”
“I know.” He let out a sigh. “I don’t even know what I’m going to say.”
“Just explain to them what you do. Use a lot of hand action.” I smiled.
“I’ll show you a lot of hand action.” His arm wrapped around my waist, and he quickly took a step back when Lily walked in.
“I’m so excited you and all my uncles are coming to my school. I wish Alex could come.”
“Well, I don’t see why she can’t. She has a career. She’s a nanny.”
“I’m good.” I put my hand up. “Her teacher specifically requested you four boys.” I laughed. “Come on, Lily. We have to go.”
“See you later, Dad.” She hugged and kissed him goodbye.
“See you later, baby girl.”
“Oh, Dad?” She stopped and turned around.
“Yeah, baby girl?”
“Can you please not call me that in my classroom?”
Stefan placed his hand over his heart.
“You’re breaking my heart, baby girl.”
“Dad, stop.”
“Fine, Lily. I will refrain from calling you that in front of your class.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a nod as she walked out the door.
I was sitting in Julia’s coffee shop talking to her when a text message from Stefan popped up on my phone.
“This classroom is filled with moms. You need to come here.”
“Why are there moms there?”
“I have no idea. But if they’re allowed, so are you. Get down here.”
“Sorry, no can do. I’m in the middle of a conversation with Julia at the shop. It’s important. I’ll tell you when you get home.”
“Ugh, ALEX!”
I laughed as I set down my phone.
“What’s going on?” Julia asked.
“Stefan said Lily’s classroom is filled with moms and he wanted me to come down.”
“So? Why does he want you to come there?”
“Probably to protect him from the unsatisfied horny moms who want to do bad things to the boys.”
“You’re right!” She laughed. “I was around those women at Lily’s birthday party.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t believe the way they were flirting.”
I finished my coffee and grabbed my purse.
“I better get going.” I gave Julia a hug.
“Thank you, Alex.”
“It’s my pleasure and honor. It’s going to be a beautiful wedding.” I smiled.
Chapter 28
Stefan
When I stepped through the door, I asked Alex to come outside.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“You’ll see.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
She stepped out the front door and smiled when she saw her car sitting in the driveway.
“Oh my God, my car!”
“They called today and said it was ready, so I had Sam drive me to the body shop to pick it up.”
“What about your car?”
“They said it’ll be ready next week.”
“Thank you, Stefan.” She gave me a hug.
“You’re welcome. I’m happy you have it back. I’ll take your rental back to the rental shop in the morning and have Sam meet me there.” He handed me my car key. “Now, tell me what you were doing that was more important than coming to Lily’s school,” I asked as I followed her back into the house.
“I was at Mojo Madness because Julia asked me if I would be a bridesmaid in her and Sam’s wedding.”
“Really?” I cocked my head. “Isn’t it a little late?”
“You know her friend, Kirsty?”
“Yeah. She’s the girl I’m standing up with.”
“Her mother is in the hospital and she’s failing quickly, so, Kirsty has to fly to Minneapolis to be with her. She’ll be gone for the wedding.”
“That’s too bad. I’m sad about her mother, but I’m happy you’re taking her place.” My arm wrapped around her waist. Where’s Lily?”
“She’s over at Hannah’s house. Hannah’s mom said she’ll bring her home after dinner. I heard career day was a success.” A smirk crossed her lips. “Lily said Sebastian was the favorite.”
“Only because he brought in a variety of desserts for the class. Show off.”