“I have food,” I smirked as I moved back and gave her space to sit up. Why she bothered to grab the sheets as she sat up was beyond me, but it was cute.
“Good morning,” she said, still dazed as she brushed her hair back.
“Good morning,” I replied as I placed the breakfast tray in front her. “Eat quickly. We have a plane to catch.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“Montana.”
She had to think for a second before laughing and reaching for the orange juice. “You do know I was half asleep when I said that, right?”
“Does it make it any less true? Do you want not want to go—?”
“I do, but there is so much I have to do here. The office—”
“I called them.”
She coughed against her orange juice and I took the glass from her.
“You called my work? Malachi, I want to go, but I can’t just drop everything—”
I lifted the origami airplane I’d made for her and held it right in front of her face. She took it and gently unfolded it.
“There will always be reasons for us to stay, there will always be reasons for us to go, so, my love, close your eyes and tell me, where do you really want to be tomorrow? – Malachi Lord.” She read, looking back at me. “You know it’s a bit pretentious to use your own quotes, right?”
“And here I was thinking it was romantic.”
She inhaled but laughed as she did. “I’m begging you, Malachi…”
“For what?”
“Mercy.” She smiled. “I just woke up and you’re already prepared to run away with me?”
“Esther.” She still didn’t get it. “I’m not trying to run away with you, I’m trying to live with you. Where do you want to live?”
She looked away from me as she took the French toast from the plate. “What time is the flight?”
“This whole time you were going to agree but you just wanted to fight me first, didn’t you?” I laughed and she stuffed a piece of toast into my mouth. Taking a bite I chewed then said, “I love you too.”
“So unmerciful.” She shook her head and took another bite.
22. FATE OF THE FAITHFUL
ESTHER
“We’ll be landing momentarily, Mr. Lord. Thank you for flying with us.” The pretty brunette air hostess flashed her white teeth at him as she took his coffee cup.
“Excuse me,” I said with the politest voice I could muster, even smiling as I lifted my glass to her. “Do you mind if I get one of those little cookies again? If you’re not too busy.”
“Of course,” she replied taking my glass as she left. I watched her go and smirked happily to myself when Malachi unnecessarily cleared his throat…again as if he were trying to not laugh at me. Glancing up from the tablet in front of him I asked, “Malachi?”
“Hmmm?” He looked up as the hostess came back with my cookies.
“Thank you,” I said to her as I opened the pack and looked at him. “You’ve cleared your throat a few times since we’ve gotten onboard. Is something funny?”
“Have I?”
“You have.”