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Now that she filled in the blanks, it all made sense. I remembered her face from Veteran’s Day celebrations in town; her family would create banners to celebrate her service.

I smiled and pointed toward the helicopter. “How does flying luxury helicopters compare to the Air Force?“

Hughes shrugged. “I don’t mind it when these rich assholes bring nice, small town girls like yourself on board.”

Victoria rolled her eyes and nudged the pilot. “Are you trying to come for my woman?“

Before the lieutenant could laugh, I raised an eyebrow to Victoria. “Oh, I’m your woman now?”

Clicking her tongue, Hughes snapped her fingers and headed toward the helicopter. “That’s my cue.”

Victoria squeezed her hand on my hip and lowered her voice as the engine to the helicopter powered up. “You know I only have eyes for you.“

Much to my relief, the roar of the helicopter engine and the sound of spinning blades filled the silence, rescuing me fromhaving to answer the question I’d been putting off for a couple months.

Victoria winked at me, not actually expecting me to answer it right now, and guided me toward the helicopter. She ducked her head and placed a protective hand over mine as she guided us toward the helicopter's backseat. She stood next to the metal casing and held her hand out to assist me inside.

My heels clicked against the small metal step into the helicopter. As I used Victoria’s hand to lift myself up, I realized I still had no idea where this wealthy woman was flying me off to.

But what I did know was: a stunning woman was taking me on a date and an Air Force pilot was at the helm. What else did I need to know?

But as I stepped into the helicopter, I could feel Victoria’s eyes on my body. I was surprised it took her this long to notice my outfit. I wore an ankle-length, black gown that I had mysteriously appeared on my doorstep a few days after that first black box arrived, with the note:

S,

I don’t want to give away what

I have planned for us. So, instead,

I’ve taken care of all the details.

Including what attire is expected.

V

Inside was the gown I now wore on my body, a pair of Yves Saint Laurent heels, a small, matching black clutch, and a pair of earrings. The entire outfit was stunning, and exactly my taste, despite Victoria having only known me for a few months. Maybeit was spending so much time comparing design styles, or maybe she just knew how to read me.

What Victoria couldn’t confirm just yet was that I was wearing her first gift underneath the dress as we got settled in the helicopter.

Once we got comfortable, the pilot brought the helicopter up to full speed. I grabbed Victoria’s hand and squeezed tightly as I felt the helicopter lift off the tarmac. I felt like the world disappeared under me, and my only safety was Victoria’s skin on mine.

Feeling brave I peeked out of the window and watched as we got farther from the asphalt. My stomach had fallen out of my ass. But luckily the cushy, beige leather bench cradled me in place.

Before I knew it, we were towering above the forest canopy of the Hudson Valley and heading, by my calculations, south. I turned to Victoria. “Are you finally going to tell me where you’re taking me?“

If I didn’t know her so well, I would’ve thought the grin on her face looked sinister. But in reality, she was pleased with how well she kept the secret.

“I’m taking you to the city.” Vic winked.

Rolling my eyes in annoyance, I prodded her for me. “That’s all you’ll say?“

Vic, tired of shouting over the sound of the spinning blades above our heads, grabbed the two sets of headphones by our legs and passed one to me. She placed a set on her own head and tapped the side to tell me how to use mine.

They were the heaviest headphones I’ve ever worn. But they made me feel like I was somehow important to keeping this helicopter in the air.