Chapter 2

“No.” She shook her head, darkened tendrils slapping against her cheeks as she slowly exhaled. “Heights I can handle. I’m not too good with enclosed spaces though. I hate to fly. Hell, I can’t stand any sort of closed space, even clothing store dressing rooms or elevators. It feels like the walls around me are closing in and I can’t breathe. Sometimes I talk nonstop simply to distract myself from where I am and…” She winced. “Which is exactly what I’m doing now,” she sighed. “I’m so sorry.” She opened her eyes and offered an apologetic smile.

Oh, now I felt like a complete heel for my thoughts. No wonder she was so chatty. “Don’t be. We’re all afraid of something.” I released a slow breath; just like that, this woman had managed to get under my skin. Only a few minutes earlier I was ready to throw her off the plane myself. Her long fingers twisted nervously together and she bit down on her painted pink lips. This woman wasn’t simply an annoying chatterbox, she was genuinely terrified.

“I bet you’re not afraid of anything,” she said when she looked at me. Those rich brown eyes locked with mine, seeming to stare straight into my very soul as she searched for a reaction

“You’re wrong,” I replied with a crooked smile. Indeed, she was very wrong about her assumption. When I was young, I’d gone with my friends to a Fourth of July festival. I was only twelve years old at the time and one of the fireworks came straight at me. The flaming arrow landed a few feet away and I immediately flew into a panic. That was the last time I ever went to that stupid small town festival. Of course, there was also the fact of how I refused to go anywhere near a lake or bay of water. Thanks to my insane cousin, I nearly drowned when I was fifteen. She pushed my head under water and held it there, causing me to ingest an extensive amount of water. I coughed so hard that I was convinced I was going to cough up my lungs. “Well,” I said, tilting my head so I could gauge her reaction. “Fire freaks me out so bad that I can’t even light a candle.”

“Really?” Her head tilt mimicked mine in such an innocent way that a flutter filled my chest. There was no condescension, no judgment in her voice. I suddenly wondered what the hell was wrong with me. Sure, she was beyond attractive with her impeccably tanned skin, kissable lips, and wide-set eyes that flickered with a hint of gold. Nevertheless, I had never been one to reveal details of my past to any of my conquests, ever. Even my friends had no idea I was petrified of fire. It had been a tedious dance keeping it a secret but somehow I’d managed.

“Really,” I said with a nervous smile. I couldn’t understand why I had just divulged this information to a woman I didn’t even know. “I’ve never admitted that to anyone,” I confessed. I shoved the book into the pouch beside my seat and met her gaze.

“Your secret is safe with me.” She smiled.

I slowly smiled in return. When the announcement blared over the intercom, saying the plane was about to takeoff, I reached over and grasped her hand. “Maybe you can just hold my hand and pretend you’re in a floating hotel room.”

She laughed. Her laugh was incredible. I couldn’t recall ever hearing such a musical tone in someone’s laughter before. Maybe the southern twang gave it an edge. It seemed to carry on, drawing out for several moments, lingering between us. “I could always try.” Her smile brightened and she my hand even tighter. “I’m Holly.”

“Jessa Dawson,” I replied with a slight exhale. Our joined hands sent a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. I found my smile growing when I held her gaze. Fear was still evident in the darkened brown but hints of brightness slowly begin to resurface.

I felt the loss instantly when Holly released my hand. She took in a shaky breath as her fingers curved around the arm of the seat. I could see the color once again fading from her cheeks. “I need a drink,” she mumbled.

“It will be over with before you know it,” I assured her. Even though I knew my words would likely offer little comfort, I felt the overwhelming urge at least to try reassuring her that she would be okay. My hand moved to cover hers.

“I hope so.” She exhaled once again before turning to face me. “I’m glad I wound up next to you. Usually I end up beside someone who thinks I’m a complete freak.” She quickly turned when the flight attendant carried a tray of drinks through the aisles. Holly grabbed two, downing the first within a matter of seconds.

I thanked the flight attendant as I claimed a glass for myself. “Maybe we could get to know each other a bit better. It might help ease your nerves about where you are.” I sipped the red wine; shocked those words had actually came from my lips.