Chance Meeting

Nine

A week later, Bobby'd managed to talk the young woman he thought he was already falling in Love with into coming back to Florida with him for a week. She'd been reluctant, saying that she'd hated the heat and humidity when she lived in her home State of North Carolina, and had always heard that it got even worse, the further South one went. Considering he hadn't been talking about moving there with him long-term, she'd finally broken down and agreed since she was enjoying their Time together, but said she'd a warning to give him.

        He'd been surprised when Aerin–who seemed practically Fearless–admitted to being pretty much Deathly terrified of three things. Snakes, getting trapped somewhere with absolutely no way out, and heights over a story, maybe two at the most terrified her to no End. Getting trapped somewhere with no way out actually made her have panic attacks, although not to the point of passing out.

        The Silver Fox was just barely able to reassure her that they weren't gonna go down in a ball of Fire, and if they did–well, he'd be right there with her, like it or not. If she died 'cuz their plane crashed somewhere between Nashville and Miami, he'd be dying right beside her, along with pretty much everyone else onboard. No one was likely to escape with their Life, and anyone who did survive a plane crash from thirty-five thousand feet or higher was damned lucky, indeed.

        "Just relax and take a few deep breaths," Bobby told her, gently rubbing her back as they awaited their boarding call.

        "Easy for you to say," she retorted. "You've flown all over the Planet–I've only been on a plane twice."

        The bassist's eyes widened as he realized exactly why she seemed so terrified now.

        "Hell, I've only been in an airport twice," Aerin continued. "The closest I ever got besides that was dropping my mom off at PTI in Greensboro, then having to go back and pick her up when her flight unexpectedly got cancelled."

        "Ah, sweetheart," he said, pulling her against him for a hug. "The worst part's pretty much when we take off and as we're landing. In between, it's pretty smooth, as long as we don't hit any turbulence–but that doesn't really happen very often."

        The young woman grumbled against his neck, and he ignored the few looks he was sure they were getting from other patrons.

        "Like I said, just take some deep breaths," Bobby whispered in her ear. "I know ya think it won't help ya, but it will."

        "Not like the Crystals in my pocket–and they're just barely helping," she mumbled against his throat, which honestly felt a bit arousing to him.

        When their boarding call finally came, Aerin almost wanted to back outta her End of the bargain while she still could. She knew that'd just upset the bassist and make him think her a liar that he couldn't trust to ever keep her word, so she forced herself to take a deep breath. A soft chuckle came from her left as he watched her square her shoulders, and he wrapped an arm around said shoulders as they headed off to the gate.

        On the plane, they were quick to find their seats up in first class, which were certainly comfier than back in coach. They were spaced a bit further apart, although it didn't seem to be by much, and they were more ergonomic than those cheap seats most others'd to sit in. In all Honesty, the young woman didn't particularly give a damn what part of the plane she was in, as long as it landed safely.

        After stowing their carry-ons in the overhead compartment, Bobby settled in his seat next to hers and got himself strapped in. She was quick to do the same before reaching over to grab his hand, her grip surprising him a bit as she squeezed once their fingers were laced together. He hadn't thought she'd have quite that tight a grip, but he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised since no woman on the Planet was truly weak. Still, he reached over to loosen her grip a hair since it was a bit too tight, but still Returned that squeeze as they awaited word that they'd been cleared for take-off.