Page 72 of The Flight Risk

When I miss the clasp for the third time, Oakley intervenes. “Here, let me.” He clasps it together on his first try and grazes his rough fingers along my neck and shoulders, sending shivers to my core.

“Thanks, honey.”

He kisses my nose and then says, “Is it my turn?”

Before I can say yes, Lottie shoves Oakley’s gift in front of me.

“Adam, I told you not to get me anything. You already give me everything I need.”

“No, I’m never going to fall for that trap. I know my girl. My girl loves to be celebrated. So that’s exactly what I plan to do forever.” He nudges the green bag against my hand.

“Forever, huh?” I grasp the small white handles, hold it up and shake it, trying to possibly decipher what could be inside.

“Forever.”

I smirk and pull out a hard rectangle wrapped in tissue paper. I unwrap the gift. I recognize the cover of the book right away and a wave of nostalgia rushes over me. The greenish blue background, with a sketch of trees with white flowers and the Eiffel tower anchoring the image. To the right is a sea of little girls in yellow coats and hats in two straight lines and a solitary little girl on the left, holding the hand of the only stable woman in her life. I run my fingers along the cover and am on the verge of crying when I utter, “Madeline.”

“I knew you loved Madeline as a kid. I didn’t see it among the books you brought over when you moved in, so I wanted you to have this.”

“Adam…”

He holds up a finger. “That’s not the whole gift. Open the book.”

I open the cover and an envelope labeled Happy Birthday, beautiful awaits me. I hold it up and say, “What is it?”

Oakley shrugs. “Don’t know, open it.”

I narrow my eyes as I carefully rip the flimsy white paper open and pull out two airline tickets. I blink for a few seconds before I finally register what the destination is. I have to actively remember how to breathe. “You’re taking me to Paris?”

“I’m taking you to Paris.” Oakley smiles and then clutches my hand, which is now shaking. “And I know it’s a long trip, but I promise to never let go of your hand the entire flight, baby. I won’t let you hold yourself back from something you’ve always wanted just because of your fear. I want to make all your dreams come true, Tess. And I know going to Paris has always been your dream.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down, crashing my lips into his. He nearly topples over from the sheer force of my body colliding with his. The kiss starts off sweet enough, but the moment I feel his tongue barely glide in between my lips, I know I have to stop. Goosebumps flare across my skin. This kiss is about to turn messy and raw and so not PG-13.

“Geez, you two are adorable. It’s beautiful and nauseating at the same time, which I didn’t even realize was a thing.” Lottie hops off the barstool and gives Oakley a look like they are in some sort of secret club with secret codes that I’m not privy to.

“What was that look?” I point back and forth between them, trying to catch them in their antics.

“I may have another birthday surprise for you,” Oakley murmurs in my ear. His voice is my own personal salve. It’s healing every part of me that was once broken.

I pat his chest playfully. “Adam Oakley. You are really setting yourself up for failure for all my future birthdays, you know that? The bar is being set pretty high.”

He turns me around and quickly tucks me into his bulky, hard chest. I melt against him as he guides me toward the stairs.

“It’s one of the many joys in my life—to exceed people’s expectations. Especially your expectations. I promise I’ll meet that bar for you, love.”

Lottie leads the way and takes each step two by two, then bolts into her old room.

“Why do I hate not being in on this surprise?” I murmur.

“Because you like being in control.” He walks behind me, but doesn’t let go of my hands. We have been glued to each other ever since I stood outside his door in the rain.

I step onto the landing and turn right toward the guest room. “I know. It’s one of my many flaws.”

“I love all your flaws.” Oakley squeezes my sides, making me squeal.

“Hurry up, guys!” Lottie shouts from her old room. Pippa runs past us and follows Lottie’s voice.

We stop short of the doorway. I escape his hold and whip around, batting my eyelashes, a technique he’s a sucker for. “Can you give me the smallest hint?”