“Go for it,” Logan said, pulling the SUV out onto the street.
I settled on a popular top forty station, then leaned into my seat. Cold Five’s latest single wafted through the speakers as we headed out of my neighborhood and onto the freeway. I hummed along to certain songs that came on the radio as we drove along and looked out the window as the outside world passed by in a haze. After thirty minutes of driving Logan turned off the freeway heading toward Dulles.
“Are you lost?” I asked. I knew he wasn’t very familiar with the D.C. area.
“No, why?” he questioned.
“Because we’re on the turnpike for the airport,” I offered, simply stating the obvious.
“I know,” he replied calmly.
“Well if you aren’t lost, then I am,” I said, staring at him, waiting for clarity.
“During our conversations on the phone, you mentioned that you’d like to go to the aquarium,” he said factually, hitting his blinker to merge into the off-ramp lane, quickly throwing a mischievous smile my way.
“Ok…which aquarium are we going to?” I asked, completely perplexed.
“The Georgia Aquarium,” Logan said slyly, looking over at me with a crooked smile.
“What?” Surprise was written on my face. . “You’re not serious…are you?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? Our flight leaves in twenty minutes.” He looked over his shoulder to merge lanes. “The good news is we can be a few minutes late since we don’t have to go through TSA checkpoints.”
I leaned back into my seat speechless. When I said let’s go to the aquarium, I thought we might go to the National Aquarium, not one in an entirely different state! I wondered how much our splurge to Georgia cost Logan. I’d had enough trouble accepting him paying for drinks at Legends. Accepting private flights was going to be a hard pill to swallow. I would never be able to afford to do something equally lavish or special for him, and that bothered me a little bit. I didn’t like feeling financially inept when it came to him. At least with Damon we were on the same financial footing. We were both broke in college. Then again compared to Logan, we were both still broke.
I sat in silence for the next ten minutes until we stopped in front of a plane hangar that housed a small Learjet.
“Are we flying in…that?” I pointed to the small jet that looked flight-worthy but far too small for my liking.
“We sure are,” Logan replied, amusement lacing his voice.
“Well I have an admission of my own…I’m not the hugest fan of flying. I can handle a larger plane, but this one looks like it could drop out of the sky at any second,” I said, trying to beat down the anxiety that was roiling in my stomach.
“Brooklyn, you’ll be perfectly safe in the jet. It’s the top of the line model and I requested a second safety check earlier this morning.”
I looked straight out of the windshield at the small jet in silence.
“Are you sure about this, Logan? I mean I would be perfectly fine staying on land and going to the National Aquarium. Plus, you can save the thousands I’m sure this flight cost. I recall a certain celeb crashing in a jet like this,” I said, pleading my case to him with my eyes.
Logan swept a lock of my hair from my face and caressed my check.
“If you really don’t want to fly, we don’t have to, but I’ve heard that this aquarium is one of a kind, and I thought it would be nice to experience it with you. Think of all the photos you can take… and it’s only a two-hour trip if you count runway time. We’ll be there before you know it.” The pad of his thumb brushed my cheek again.
I smiled at Logan’s sly attempt to talk me off the ledge with promises of great photo ops. I let out a slow breath, then grabbed the handle of my door, swinging it open.
“What the hell! I might not get another chance to do something this wildly absurd. If it’s my time, it’s my time… but I’m warning you, if you start singing lyrics from “Leaving on a Jet Plane” or make one plane crash joke, we are done!” I retorted, motioning between the two of us while grabbing my purse out of the car and adjusting my sweater.
“My lips are sealed,” Logan said, exiting the SUV sporting a carefree smile. He stepped toward me and grabbed my hand. “Are you sure you’re ready? I don’t want you to feel forced,” Logan said, staring into my eyes.
I appreciated him giving me one last out.
“I think I‘ll be fine,” I said reassuringly, brushing a loose hair from my cheek. I knew if I said no I would regret my decision. Logan’s comments about my potential photo opportunities were a small selling point as well.
“All right, well the flight crew is waiting for us so let’s go,” he said, pulling me along as he headed toward the jet’s access stairs. A stewardess was waiting at the top of the steps.
“Good morning, Mr. Colton. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you, Caitlyn. Where’s Jon?”
“He will be out shortly, sir. Please have a seat in the cabin.”
I was surprised at how spacious the jet was, since it looked rather small from the outside.
“Are we the only two people scheduled for the flight?” I asked, puzzled.
“Yes,” Logan replied, clearly confused by my inquiry.
Duh, Brooklyn, I scolded myself. Of course Logan Colton, a Bloomberg top performer could afford private flights…he probably had more money stashed away than I’d ever see in my lifetime.
Caitlyn stowed my tote bag in the overhead compartment of the jet after I took my camera out. After Caitlyn finished her inflight procedure checklist I made myself comfortable in the beige leather seat.
Jon, the pilot, came out right before takeoff to confirm the flight plan with Logan. He was an older gentleman with wire-rimmed glasses donning the typical flight captain uniform: navy slacks and a white collared shirt. I hoped that his seasoned look meant he had many years of flying under his belt.
I sat back in the seat, fidgeting with my lap belt and looking out the window, waiting to feel my stomach in my throat.
“Nervous?” Logan asked. The plane was taxing down the runway.
“A little, but I can’t do anything about that now…” I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. The jet quickened and I heard the landing gear pull up.
“We’ll be fine,” he said, squeezing the hand that I was using to choke the life out of our shared armrest. I felt the jet lift off the ground and I instinctively leaned into my seat.
“So… why are you in D.C.?” I asked, closing my eyes as the pilot pulled the plane further into the atmosphere. I desperately needed to move the conversation away from my fear of plummeting to Earth.
“Copple was one of the responders to our advertising and marketing solicitation for bid. Our current vendor’s contract is up. Nothing’s final yet, so I’m still weighing all options. There are other companies that can also suit our needs.”
“No wonder Trent—” I cut myself off before I revealed too much.
“No wonder what?” Logan asked.
“It’s nothing” I said. I was always putting my foot in my mouth around Logan.
“Listen, what you and I talk about remains between us two. Remember what I told you, trust is vital for me. You can tell me.”
“It’s nothing really. I was just going to say that it was no wonder Trent had his boxers in a bunch. He was adamant that I needed to keep my distance because he didn’t want me, of all people, screwing up his chances of him landing a whale for Copple.”
“He said that?” Logan scoffed.
“Yeah, in his own douche bag way. I’d say that summed it up.”
“The only thing he needs to worry about is keeping himself in check,” he said, his jaw hardening into a line.
“Yeah, well believe it. Trent Walker walks on water because he’s an ‘EVP’ ”. Logan closed his eyes and shook his head at my response.
“Well enough of that,” I said, switching on my camera and turning toward Logan.
“Smile!” I cried, jamming m
y finger down on the capture button.
“What are you doing?” he asked, laughing.
“Give me more darling, more,” I said in my best Parisian imitation. Based on the way my voice croaked, I could say for certain that my years of French lessons in high school had not paid off.
Luckily, Logan got into character quickly, stepping into the aisle and flash posing.
I dropped my Madame Brooklyn accent, “Oh yeah, keep the hot poses coming!” I laughed out, still snapping my camera. Logan began to chuckle, then bent his head slightly and made a pouty face. That did me in. I couldn’t hold back the hearty laugh that escaped from my mouth. Logan looked ridiculous; almost as bad as Ben Stiller in Zoolander—minus the insanely tight leather pants and caked-on makeup.
“Okay, enough!” I cried out.
Logan looked over at me with a wide smile. “I better not see any of those photos on some random blog! I guess it would be worth it though, if it meant I got to see that smile back on your face.”
Logan’s sincere compliment made me duck my head down in shy discomfort. “Thanks.” I was never one who knew how to take a compliment well.
At that moment Caitlyn approached us from the front of the jet, breaking up our intimate moment.
“Would you two like lunch now?” Caitlyn asked politely, adjusting the knotted scarf around her neck.
“Are you hungry?” Logan asked, turning in his chair to face me. His question made me realize I hadn’t eaten breakfast.
“I’m okay. I had a piece of toast before I left this morning,” I said, smiling back at Logan and simultaneously answering Caitlyn.
After Logan ordered his turkey sandwich he and I were alone again in the jet cabin. A little while later, Caitlyn rolled his food down the aisle and handed him a tray.
He finished his meal relatively fast, and before I knew it we were landing at Mathis Airport. The flight was much smoother than I anticipated and I was grateful that it flew by quickly. While we were still rolling toward the airport, I powered up my camera so I could chronicle our trip from beginning to end. The small jet passed a couple of flight hangars and sprawling green trees before we finally came to rest in front of ours at the end of the airfield. The pilot let down the ramp, and Logan and I exited.
“Land!” I cried dramatically when my feet finally touched the solid pavement. I was so glad we made it in one piece, although I had tried to hide my apprehension from Logan. Looking over the photos I took from the other night and of Logan’s impromptu photo shoot were the only things that kept my mind from wandering to the thought that at any moment we could have dropped to the earth at a high rate of speed.
“Seriously?” Logan asked, shaking his head and grinning.
“What? I can’t be ecstatic to be alive?” I asked, stepping out of the flight hangar and into the bright sun.
“Our car is over there,” Logan said, pointing over my shoulder to a black SUV parked off in the distance.
Fifteen minutes later we were parked and inside the aquarium. I was sure the wonderment on my face liked that of a child. Everything was so vibrant—-blue water tanks in every crevice, an animated film playing on the ceiling, and throngs of people everywhere. I stood in place for a while, then felt Logan grab my hand.
“Ms. Caldwell, I believe we have sights to see. I told you the trip would be worth it,” he whispered in my ear.
I looked at Logan wide-eyed. “This place is massive!” I said, smiling from ear to ear. There was a lot to take in.
Logan guided us through the crowds and toward an outdoor exhibit to see what time the dolphin show started. We requested tickets for the two o’clock show, then walked around the grounds. We strolled through the open air exhibit, and Logan fed the wild birds. I got a great shot of one of the birds perched on Logan’s shoulder.
“You want to pet the manatees?” Logan asked as we passed the large tank.
“Sure,” I replied. After the attendant squirted hand sanitizer into my palm I dipped my finger into the water.
“Do they bite?” I asked warily.
The attendant assured me they didn’t want to eat my fingers. As I circled my finger over the top of the larger manatee of the bunch, he jetted off and I inadvertently scratched him with my fingernail.
“Oh my gosh! I am so sorry! Will he be okay?” I asked, concerned.
“He’ll be fine…it only stings them for a little while.”
I pulled my hand out of the tank and got some more hand sanitizer. I was so embarrassed I had injured one of the animals that I just walked off, my head hanging in shame. Logan just laughed and tried to comfort me.
We entered a cavernous enclave within the aquarium that housed various types of tropical fish and wildlife. It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Lights beamed throughout the darkened tunnel. Logan and I walked slowly until my eyes were drawn to a tank with various shades of yellows, blues, and greens radiating from it.
“Let’s check out this one,” I said, tugging on his hand.
An orange and purple starfish was stuck to the peering glass. I read the informational text next to the tank:
Please meet Herman the starfish. He is a bit shy, so please no flash photography. According to legend, starfish are reflections of stars in the sky inhabiting the ocean floor. They symbolize rebirth due to their remarkable ability to regenerate. If a starfish is cut in half, two will grow. Starfish are also seen as a celestial symbol that represents infinite, divine love.
“Wow, he is so pretty. I’ve never seen one in real life before,” I murmured, taking in the bright creature.
“I don’t know if Herman would appreciate being called ‘pretty.’ ” I laughed at Logan’s comment.
“Buzzkill,” I said, pulling Logan away from the glass. “Bye Herman!” I called playfully as we walked out of the tunnel and back into the crowds of people.
AT TWO O’CLOCK WE took our seats in the front of the dolphin stadium and waited for the show to start.
“Raise your hand!” I screeched to Logan over the throngs of people when the trainer asked for volunteers.
“Not on your life!” he exclaimed.
“C’mon!” I coaxed, pulling his arm in the air.
“You, please come up!” the trainer pointed to Logan from the stage.
“Oh my gosh! She’s pointing at you! Go! Go enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame!” I laughed, pushing his shoulder.
“You’re dead,” he promised as he walked to the stage.
“I know,” I squealed, unable to contain my amusement. “It’s only payback for making me face my fear of flying!!” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
Logan helped feed the dolphins while the crowd cheered him on and I captured a great shot of one propelling himself into the air.
“You’re a rock star!” I taunted as Logan sat back down on our bench.
“Not funny!” he remarked, smiling.
After the show we ventured around the park for a few more hours, snacking on churros and Coke. We were standing in front of the tropical fish exhibit and I could feel Logan staring at me.
“Do I have something on my face?” I asked, self-consciously passing my hand over my mouth and cheeks, just in case.
Logan looked at me quizzically and responded, “Um…no, but you should wear your hair down more often, it compliments your face.” I had loosened my ponytail since it was giving me a headache.
I immediately turned my attention back to the fish in the tank and tried to change the subject. Logan had no problem showering me with compliments, but I couldn’t learn how to accept them.
It was getting late dark outside and Logan suggested we head out of the aquarium and grab dinner before our flight. We went our separate ways for a few minutes to hit up the bathrooms, then left one of the most magical places I’d been to in a very long time.
“I can’t believe we were in there for seven hours! That has to be some kind of record for two adults who don’t even work there,” I said, loading my cam
era back into my tote bag. We passed through the exit doors of the aquarium into the light breeze.
“Hey, wait up a minute,” Logan called from behind me.
When I turned around to give him my attention, he snapped a picture of me with his cell phone.
“Hey! No pictures! I probably look like a crazed woman doped up on caffeine!” I cried. “Please delete that! I’m sure I looked atrocious! I wasn’t even smiling!” I said, trying to snatch the phone from his hand.
Logan cupped his hand around my wrist and pulled me into his chest. “That’s why they’re called ‘candid shots’…and you didn’t look bad at all. You looked pretty.”
Logan bent his head down and sneakily left a featherlight kiss on my temple. I tried to pull out of his grasp, but he pinned me closer to him. Our close proximity and the smell of his cologne paralyzed me. I really wasn’t one for public displays of affection. Every now and again was all right, but after the spectacle in front of the diner, I’d met my quota for the month.
WE BOARDED THE JET ten minutes before takeoff.
“Ready?” Logan asked.
“Yeah, I’m not as nervous this time,” I replied, giving him a weak smile. He leaned in and kissed me gently.
“We’ll be fine,” he said, leaning back into his seat as Jon pulled the plane up to chase the setting sun.
As I stared out the window, I quietly reminisced over our day together. I enjoyed the fact that Logan and I were able to just enjoy one another’s company. He had brought many smiles to my face during the course of the day, and that made me smile more on the inside.
I was digging through my tote in search of my cherry melon lip gloss when I stabbed my finger on something. I reached up and turned on the overhead compartment light.
“What’s the matter?” Logan asked, looking up from his cellphone. He’d been responding to work e-mail.
“Oh nothing, just stabbed my finger on something in my messy bag. I really need to downgrade the size,” I muttered as I opened my purse wider to see what had caused me pain. I pulled out an object wrapped in tissue paper.
“What’s this?” I asked, looking at Logan. I knew he had something to do with it.
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