Page 44 of False Start

I wondered what it was like to book something like this without thinking twice about it.

Kyle and I were seated next to each other, our seats in the back of the plane facing the cockpit. Braden sat across from us.

They were both massive, sprawling beings — their legs almost too tall even with the expanded leg room we had on this plane. I listened absentmindedly as the two of them joked around with each other, all while being entirely too focused on where Kyle’s arm brushed mine on the arm rest, on where his knee pressed against mine.

And when we took off, my stomach plunged.

Because as the plane soared up into the sky, Kyle covered my hand with his own.

And he didn’t move it.

“So, Madelyn,” Braden said when we were at ten-thousand feet. “Kyle said you grew up together.”

I blinked, hoping Braden didn’t see how intently I was staring at where Kyle’s hand was holding mine before I brought my gaze to him.

“We did,” I said, smiling. “And you two went to college together?”

“Unfortunately,” he said on a sigh. “I had to live with his smelly ass for a couple of those years, too.”

“You’re welcome for all the breakfasts I made you,” Kyle piped in from beside me.

The flight attendant interrupted us long enough to take a drink order.

“You?” I asked, not meaning to sound so incredulous when I added, “Cooking?”

Kyle pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’m an excellent cook, I’ll have you know.”

“He’s particularly well-versed in smiley-face pancakes,” Braden chimed in.

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I cannot picture Kyle cooking anything without burning it.”

“I’ve come a long way from the Easy Mac days,” he said, nudging my arm. “I’ll show you. When we get back, I’ll cook for you and Sebastian.”

My smile faded, stomach tightening at how easily he offered that.

I knew it was probably just for show in front of his friend. He had to sell the lie that we were a couple, after all. That was probably why his hand was still holding mine even after the flight attendant gave us our drinks.

He didn’t remove his hold on me, just took the cocktail she offered him in his other hand.

That shouldn’t have made me dizzy, but damn if it didn’t do just that. Because with Kyle’s hand around mine, it didn’t feel the way Marshall’s always had. It didn’t feel like a tether, like a restraint, like a form of control.

It was warm, comfortable, and familiar.

It was sweet with pride, as if I were some sort of catch — like claiming me in that small way in front of his friend made him sit a little taller.

“What was Kyle like when you were growing up?” Braden asked.

I blinked out of my thoughts and back to the moment when I answered. “A brat.”

He laughed at that, and Kyle smirked, not denying it.

“Did he tell you I was his babysitter?” I asked Braden.

“He did, actually,” Braden said. “I’m not surprised. I took that job once he went to college.”

Kyle flipped him off as I laughed.

“So, what do you like to do when you’re not letting this one drag you to a wedding halfway across the country,” Braden asked.