Page 9 of Fated Love with You

End of Episode 3

There Are Levels to This

EPISODE 4

Autumn

A couple of hours later

There’s a tiny ant in my mint sorbet.

He’s struggling to spring free, wiggling his legs and desperately begging someone for help.

I’ve been trying to lead him out with my spoon, giving him the helping hand he clearly craves but refuses to take it.

As his head slips under the melted surface, I trap him with my spoon.

There’s no point in letting him suffer from his inability to see what was best for him, no point in leaving him wondering about his inevitable fate.

He’ll thank me for that someday…

“Brace for impact, ladies.” The pilot’s voice suddenly comes over the speakers, forcing me to grip the armrests.

Within seconds, we descend into Seattle’s familiar rains, and the plane glides onto the tarmac.

My phone instantly buzzes in my lap with new messages from Ryder and Kylie.

I click on Kylie’s words first.

Kylie

UMMM…. Why is your phone going to voicemail still? Call me!

Nvm. Talking to Erica from high school for the next hundred or so miles. I’ll try you later.

Ryder

I need to taste you again. You should let me finish what we started when you complete this job. I don’t want you to remain on edge…

Too late.

I glance out the window as we roll toward a hangar. Gleaming lights greet me from a distance, and bright red controller lines are following the plane’s every move.

I squint, wondering if they are broken, but as we near, I realize that those red lines aren’t from air traffic controllers at all.

They’re lasers, and they’re pointed directly at us.

I slam the shade shut and close my eyes.

I can’t handle this level of stress and uncertainty for too much longer…

“Miss Jane?” Adele tugs at my wrist. “Miss Jane?”

“Yes?”

“We need to move to the front. They’re getting ready to open the door.”

“I need a minute to think.”