Page 4 of Revere

The man steps into the aisle, forcing me back a step. Until there’s nowhere else to go as he dips his mouth low to my ear.

“I promise I won’t tell if you don’t.” He waves his hand to the window seat, motioning me to get in.

Swallowing hard, I’m tempted to argue. But that would require me to form words, and I’m pretty sure he stole them straight from my tongue with one look. So I slip into the seat, settling into the one by the window, and I try not to let him see I’m some lovestruck girl.

I’m never like this with guys back at college.

Then again, the guys back at college are nothing likehim.

He drops into his seat, and I scrunch as close to the window as I can to keep a gap between us. It’s pointless because he doesn’t bother doing the same. His arm claims the armrest, and his knees are spread wide, tiptoeing over that line that defines his space and mine.

He’s everywhere.

Looking past him, I see Violet and Kole settling across the aisle. She widens her eyes and looks from the man at my side to me, trying to convey some silent message. Or maybe she’s trying to ask what just happened, seeing as I was all over this man just moments ago. I can still feel the fire burning in my cheeks.

Violet mouths something, and my eyebrows pinch.

“What?”I mouth back, but it draws the attention of the man between us, so she turns back to Kole.

“Everything okay?” the man asks.

“Yes.” My voice squeaks, so I clear my throat. “Everything’s fine.”

“Good.” He doesn’t break gazes.

“I’m Patience.” I force a tight smile.

He didn’t ask, but he won’t stop staring at me, so I feel compelled to say something to break the tension.

“Jacob.”

“Okay.”

Okay?

What is wrong with me?

I turn back to the window and avoid continuing the conversation. Maybe I’ll pretend to sleep, or I’ll pull out my headphones and listen to music. Because if I have to sit beside Jacob for the next hour and a half, it’s going to be a very long flight.

2

ICE PRINCESS

PATIENCE

I’ma complete mess the second the plane hits the first bump at takeoff. I close my eyes and grip the seat cushion. My fingernails are on the verge of snapping from how tightly my hands are clenched. And blood mixes in my mouth from biting my tongue so I wouldn’t squeak or scream as the plane jolted.

I hate flying, and I hope no one notices.

I’ve tried my best to keep my face angled to the window to mask my many expressions.

Thankfully, Jacob hasn’t said a word since our clipped introduction. After falling into his lap, I don’t need him to see me as more of a flustered mess.

I don’t need anyone seeing me like this.

Weak.

Vulnerable.