{Book 1 of the New York Duet}
𝐈𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 is a ballerina at the most prosperous dance school in all of New York City. Determined and unbending, she is hell-bent on getting the lead solo in the summer charity showcase by any means necessary...
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TWO MONTHS LATER...
The thin aisle of the JetBlue plane is occupied by several passengers storing their bags in the above-head compartments. A flutter of people on their way from Maine to New York settle into their economy-priced black leather seats. Except for the rivaling teammates who can never agree on anything.
In the center selection of seats, Darren stands above a seated Elias staring into the angry brown eyes of Jayson Danvers. Elias face palms into his hand while shaking his head, dark curls tossing side to side. Jayson has one knee bent on the chair closest to the window, the other leg is standing so he is at face level with Darren.
Darren waves a paper with his seat number on it as he explains, "Jayson, this literally my seat. You're sitting with Matt, not Elias. Move."
"Yeah, so? I got here first. You go to sit with Matt," he retorts like a child.
Fisting his carry-on straps in his hand which he would have put in the compartment had someone else's things not been there already, Darren glances at Elias for assistance. Though he isn't of much help since it looks like he's trying to sink into the seat.
"I'm honestly starting to think you really can't read," Darren says. "But no, I'm serious. Get the fuck up."
Elias peers through his fingers to see if anyone on board was watching them, which a few were due to Darren being one of three people standing in the aisle, the other two being flight attendants. He can't disappear into the chair any further without being on the floor due to his size.
"Can you guys please not cause a scene right now."
Ignoring Elias' request, Jayson continues to go back and forth with Darren. "It's a one-hour flight! You don't have to sit next to him, Darren. Not unless you have a weird crush on him or something."
"Do you?" Darren inquires, eyes wide with frustration.
Jayson's nostrils flare at that. A flight attendant is walking toward the three of them. Plastering a friendly smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, she stands next to Darren's huge frame. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but I am going to have to ask you to take your seats."
Not taking his eyes off Jayson, Darren huffs with defeat. "Fine."
The woman returns to the front of the plane. Darren walks three rows ahead of where Elias is but not before a haughty grin graces Jayson's lips.
I wish I could wipe that smug look off his face with my fist.
He takes a seat in the chair next to Matt Bergson after tossing his bag in the overhead compartment. Matt sits in the window seat, so he has a view to occupy him when the plane takes off. Though it's very doubtful that he'll even spare a glance since he is nose-deep into a book. The cover is facing the floor not permitting Darren to catch the title.
