Page 28 of Fly with Me

“Have you tried antianxiety medication?”

Olive laughed. “I brought a pill on the airplane last night, and I was so nervous, the pill fell out of my hand before I could take it. But yeah, I’m going to try that for the flight back.”

“I hope that works. Italy is amazing.” The billowing fabric of Stella’s top swept across Olive’s arm. Goose bumps rose in its wake.

“Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled?”

“Last year I went to the Cañón del Sumidero in Mexico with my cousins, which is like the Grand Canyon of Mexico. Super amazing. Other than that, probably Paris or New Zealand.”

“Oh, wow. Did you see any hobbits?”

“Yep, Paris is full of them.” Stella covered her mouth as she erupted with laughter at her own joke.

Olive joined in for good measure. Everything was hilarious tonight. Stella had made her laugh over and over again. Olive clutched at her stomach after the cackling fit subsided. Who the heck was she tonight? Her abs were sore from laughing at corny jokes?

Stella sobered. “New Zealand is breathtaking. Long flight, though.”

Olive shook her head darkly. “I read once that when you’re in a plane over the Pacific Ocean, no one actually knows where you are. A nightmare.”

Stella looked like she wanted to roll her eyes. “That’s not true anymore. I thought you said you knew all about aviation.” She gave her a teasing frown.

“Still.” Olive stopped at a food stand, buying two waters. She handed one to Stella, who thanked her and guzzled it. “Maybe someday I’ll get there. For now, I’ll keep trying to hit all the national parks in my car.”

“Where was your favorite?”

“Grand Teton. It’s beautiful. Seeing the parks was on this list. It was Jake’s—my brother’s. He used to work so much. I’m—um… trying to go to all the ones he didn’t get to see. A couple years ago he made this life list to make sure he was really living, you know?”

“Yeah.”

“So now I’m doing everything on it. If my phone wasn’t dead I’d show you my Instagram account I made for my Adventures with Gus. Basically just me carting a giant dog around to check things off Jake’s list.”

“Something impulsive… you said check something impulsive off the list.”

Olive chuckled. “Yup. I think I can definitely check that off now.” Her good mood faltered as her brain returned to the full story about her long road trip last year. She shook off the memories. “Thank you for not being an axe murderer.”

“Ha. You’re welcome. That’s really a cool thing you’re doing. Finishing his list.” Stella’s smile was tinged with sadness—not pity, compassion. “You know you can get places even faster in a plane?”

“I’ve heard that. Security lines are a bitch, though.”

Stella shook her head and sighed.

They arrived at France and got into line. Stella got her macarons but Olive chose a flaky chocolate pastry.

“Do you want some of mine, too?” Olive asked.

“No, I’m good. I don’t get to have these very often.” She took another bite, somehow managing to stay completely crumb-free. “Where do you live? You flew out of Hagerstown. Pretty small airport.”

“Frederick. About an hour south—”

“That’s where I live too.” Excitement glowed on Stella’s face. “I like to pick up extra flights from Hagerstown when I can because it’s so close by. Are you at the hospital in town?”

“Yep. I live in one of the newer apartment buildings downtown near the creek. Where are you?”

“With my dad for now. Outside the city limits.” A tinge of sadness passed over Stella’s face, but it vanished quickly. “I sold my condo a couple years ago. It didn’t make sense to keep it since I was traveling so much, and I tried to spend time with my dad whenever I was home.”

Panic that was completely inappropriate rose in Olive’s chest. “You’re thinking about moving?”

“Not anytime soon.”