I walk off the plane and look around. I haven't slept in the last 15 hours. As I head over to the nearest Starbucks, I think about Lucy hoping the babysitter I hired was doing ok with her. I decide to text her. I flip through my contacts until I find the right name.
"Can I help you?"
I look over to see an old lady waiting to take my order.
"One coffee please...black," I murmur.
"Any creamer?" The lady rolls her eyes.
"No," I reply.
"That's $2.52."
I hand her exact change and walk away with my coffee. I attempt to take a sip of the steaming liquid. I burn my tongue and immediately regret tasting it. I look back down at my phone and send a quick message to Sam, the babysitter. As I put my phone down, I happen to notice a guy staring at me from across airport. As I catch his glance, he smiles. His teeth are sparkling. I stop walking. He starts to walk over to me. All of a sudden, a hurried man runs into me, causing my hot coffee to explode onto my new blue blouse. As I stumble around swearing, I run into the guy that was staring at me. I blindly fall into his arms. His strong arms hold my limp body. My skin is now scorching from the coffee. In spite of all this, I smile. The guy holding me helps me back to my feet.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to.."
"It's fine," he says.
I look into his dreamy eyes. Apparently, I start to stumble because he holds onto my shoulders and steadies me again.
"Are you ok?" He asks.
"I'm fine.. I'm good now.." I try to steady myself.
"I'm Peyton," he introduces.
I shake his hand. "Layla."
"Where are you heading to?" He asks.
"I...umm.. Las Vegas," I finally seem to choke out.
Peyton chuckles. "Alone?"
"I.." I suddenly remember why I am here. He's just a distraction I tell myself. "..I need to go now."
He stares at me again. I feel shivers erupt throughout me. It's like he can see right through me. After a while, he nods.
"I see.." He says.
I hurry off before he can say anything more.
"Oh, man" I say to myself. "This is going to be a long trip..."
