“You must be Mitch,” she said, holding out her hand. Her dark hair was styled in the same fashion as Leah’s long waves, but he noticed an earpiece at her ear.
“And you must be Savannah.” He smiled and shook her hand.
“Impressive.” She returned the smile. “You’ve already memorized the names of Leah’s friends?” She darted a teasing glance at Leah.
“The earpiece gave it away,” Mitch explained, pretending not to notice the look.
“Yes, and I was just talking about you,” Leah said. “Savannah, this place looks incredible! You’ve outdone yourself.”
“It really is impressive,” Mitch agreed, grateful Leah still hadn’t dropped his arm. “It must have been a lot of work.”
Savannah waved a hand. “The McGraths’ landscape was made for receptions. It’s not hard to impress when you have such gorgeous surroundings to work with.”
“Don’t downplay your abilities,” Leah chided. “You’re amazing. Own it.”
Savannah laughed. “Fine. Yes, it was a lot of work, but seeing Jade and Connor’s faces today made it all worth it.” She shrugged and turned her attention to Mitch. “I hear you work at Synergy with Leah.”
Mitch nodded. “We’re flying the same route this month, so we’ve gotten to know each other better.”
“Indeed.” Savannah looked between them with a twinkle in her eyes. “Well, I’m glad you could make it tonight, Mitch. We’ve all been eager to meet the guy who made Leah break her ‘no dating pilots’ rule.” She flashed Leah a smile and went to greet a group of arriving guests.
Leah shifted and Mitch glanced at her sideways. “You really did have a rule against dating pilots? I think I’m going to have to hear more about this.”
She cleared her throat, her eyes darting away from him. “Oh, look! There are Piper and Olivia. I’ll introduce you.”
Mitch smirked, but obediently allowed her to lead him toward more of her bridesmaid friends. He wasn’t about to complain—especially since she still kept hold of his arm.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The reception was dreamlike from the mild June evening, to the delicious dinner and toasts, right down to the dancing with the lively band. Mitch had surprised Leah with his dance moves—the guy knew how to work the dance floor. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d smiled so much as they danced to the fast songs and even kept up with the few country line dances. But now things were slowing down.
Leah swallowed in anticipation as Mitch spun her once before drawing her into his arms for a slow song. He’d removed his tux jacket for the fast dances, and Leah was glad because now it was easier to feel his toned shoulder muscles beneath his shirt.
They didn’t speak for a few moments, neither one of them seeming to have words, but when Mitch pulled Leah closer, she didn’t hesitate. She leaned into him, reveling in the feel of his heart beating fast against her. He nuzzled the hair at her neck, and her arms erupted in goosebumps. Something unspoken passed between them. Something warm and electric. Something that felt nothing like friendship.
When the song ended, Mitch slowly pulled back and searched her eyes. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
She nodded, slightly dizzy from the emotions swirling inside of her. “Sure.”
He took her hand, leading her off the dance floor. Leah had held hands before, but never like this. It was as if Mitch’s hand was molded perfectly to hers. His hand was warm and strong. That one simple connection made her feel both grounded and deliciously fluttery at the same time.
They weaved through the mingling crowds toward the garden and a gazebo lit with white lights. Another couple was just leaving, and Leah was glad. She wanted to be alone with Mitch—though she wouldn’t allow herself to analyze why. Once they were inside, he let go of her hand, turning to stare out at the trees bordering the yard. Leah felt the loss of his hand, wishing he hadn’t let go. When he turned to face her again, his eyes were tight.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, concerned.
“No.” He smiled faintly and then took a deep breath. “Everything’s not okay.” He stepped forward, taking both of her hands in his as he searched her face. “Leah, I don’t think I can do this.”
She frowned. “Do what?”
He held her eyes with a steady gaze. “I don’t think I can be friends with you.”
“Oh.” Her stomach dropped. What had she done wrong? She thought back over the past few hours, wondering what she might have said or done to make him feel this way. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered. “If I did something to offend you—”
He shook his head and looked at their intertwined hands. “No, you don’t understand,” his eyes rose to meet hers again, “I want to be more than your friend.”
Leah’s heart stopped. “You do?” Joy soared through her, instantly colliding with a wall of fear. “But what about Candice?”
“There’s nothing going on with Candice,” he said, studying her. “I took her out last night, but knew right away there was no connection—not like I feel with you.”
Leah’s heart flipped as the joy burst through the doubts, filling her soul with ecstasy as she let his words soak in. He misread her silence, letting go of her hands.
“I know you’ve been dating Dan, and I’m probably a jerk for doing this when he’s the one who’s supposed to be here with you. If you want me to go, I will. But I can’t—” He bit the corner of his lip and shrugged, looking away. “I can’t pretend I don’t have feelings for you anymore.” He met her gaze. “I had to tell you the truth.”
Leah let out the breath she’d been holding, her heart pounding as she slowly reached for his hand. “Thank you for telling me,” she said softly as she intertwined her fingers with his. His eyes searched hers, so vulnerable as he waited. “I don’t feel anything for Dan beyond friendship,” she confessed, lifting a shoulder. “I tried, but the sparks weren’t there. Not like they are with you.” She held him with a look, and Mitch’s face went slack.
“Leah,” he breathed, stroking the side of her face as his eyes filled with hope. “Leah,” he repeated, cupping the other side of her face and bathing her in breathless wonder before his mouth was on hers.
Leah’s senses exploded at his kiss. She put her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she allowed the walls to fall down. Mitch was everything; consuming her thoughts and desires as his mouth moved hungrily against hers. She knew she should pull away. Someone could come at any moment, but even as she thought it, she drew him closer, turning them so they were hidden behind a post as she continued to kiss him, her heart beating fiercely against her ribcage. The smell of his skin as his strong arms wrapped around her set her pulse into overdrive.
He kissed her a moment more before pressing his forehead to hers, his breaths halting and uneven. “Whoa,” he said, his mouth curving up in the corner as he gently played with her hair.
“Whoa,” she agreed, unable to fight a flushed smile of her own.
He straightened, keeping his arms wrapped around her waist. “So . . . more than friends?” he asked, tipping his head to the side with a rakish look in his eyes.
She laughed. “Yes. Definitely more than friends.”
His face lit up, radiating joy and wonder as he bent down, capturing her mouth with his once more.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mitch had never been so eager to get to work. He’d never been so eager, period. Before the night of the wedding reception, he’d been living his life on auto pilot. But now that he knew Leah returned his feelings, it was like he was finally given the controls—freedom to live and love in a way he never thought possible. Freedom to fly.
They’d spent as much time as possible together since that night, and when they couldn’t be together, they would call and text. Leah filled his thoughts during the waking hours, and at night he dreamed of her. In fact, he couldn’t believe this wasn’t a dream. All of it felt too amazing to be real. Leah Hunter, the woman he’d been secretly in love wi
th for months, wanted to spend time with him.
They hadn’t talked about dating exclusively yet, but at the rate things were going, Mitch hoped to have that conversation during their trip this week. He wasn’t interested in dating anyone else, and Leah had already let Dan down gently in asking if they could just be friends. From what she’d said, Dan had been a good sport about it. He was disappointed, but ultimately, he’d chosen work over Leah. And for that, Mitch would be forever grateful.
He made his way through the employee security line, anxious to get to the crew lounge. They’d decided to keep their dating a secret at work—at least for now—to avoid workplace gossip. But he still couldn’t wait to see her again.
He’d been at her house last night, helping while she cared for her mom, who was having a hard day. It pained him to see the fatigue and sadness in Leah’s eyes as she put on a brave face and soldiered on. After Carol settled down enough for bed, he’d held Leah in his arms, stroking her back as she’d cried. It still killed him when she cried, and he was grateful that at least now he could comfort her the way he’d wanted to. He remembered Carol’s request that he talk to her, but somehow, he sensed that Leah wasn’t ready to hear it yet. Maybe this trip he would broach that topic too—he would have to play it by ear.
Mitch entered the crew lounge, instantly scanning for any sign of Leah. She wasn’t there. He checked his watch. He was earlier than usual, his excitement to see her causing him to rush. He chided himself and went to get the weather report, his heart lifting in hope each time someone new entered the lounge, and then dropping when it wasn’t Leah. Sam came in and walked over to Mitch, looking over his shoulder at the report.
“How’s the weather looking today?”
“There are some scattered showers over Kansas, but other than that, our route is looking clear.”
“Excellent.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and gave Mitch a wide smile.
Mitch glanced at him. “What’s got you so happy this morning?”
Sam’s smile grew even wider. “I finally did it. I asked Tracy to marry me.”
“Really?” Mitch gave him a high five. “Congrats, man. That’s awesome.” He smirked. “So, she took the leap and said, yes, huh? When is the big event going to be?”
Sam lifted his shoulders. “We haven’t pinned down a date yet, but I’ll let you know.” He paused. “I was kind of hoping you’d be best man.”
Mitch’s eyes widened in surprise. “Of course,” he said without hesitation. “I’m honored that you’d ask.” And lucky for Sam, he’d asked at the perfect time. After last weekend, Mitch was becoming a huge fan of weddings.
Sam nodded. “Thanks. You’ve been a good friend, and you kept encouraging me when I was scared to pop the question. But now that I have, I don’t know what took me so long. As soon as Tracy said yes, I knew I made the right call. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.”
Mitch clapped him on the shoulder, genuinely happy for his friend. “You two are going to be a powerhouse couple. I’m thrilled for you both.” He dropped his hand as the door to the crew lounge opened, drawing his attention. His heart leapt when Leah walked in.
Sam turned to see what Mitch was looking at, and then gave him a sympathetic frown. “Don’t worry,” he said, lowering his voice. “I know there’s someone out there who will make you as happy as Tracy makes me.”
Leah caught Mitch’s eye and gave him the briefest of smiles. He smiled back, butterflies taking flight inside of him. Her eyes held his for a moment before she ducked her head and moved off in the other direction.
Mitch gave an inward groan. Pretending nothing was going on while they were at work would be harder than he expected. Especially when every cell in his body longed to go to her. But he’d worked at Synergy long enough to know that work gossip spread fast, and he wanted to protect Leah from that. She was dealing with more than her share of difficulties as it was. The last thing she needed was more drama.
“The girl of your dreams is out there, man,” Sam continued, his dark eyes earnest with encouragement. “Just be patient. You’ll find her.”
Mitch fought to hide a smile. If only his friend knew. “You’re right,” he answered with a nod. “And I don’t mind being patient. Something tells me she’s worth waiting for.” He glanced over his shoulder and saw Leah standing at a nearby bank of windows. She stood in profile, watching the planes taxiing toward the runway. The small curve at the corner of her lip told him she’d overheard what he’d said.
And he didn’t mind a bit.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Leah paced back and forth in her hotel room, bursting with anticipation. She checked her outfit in the full-length closet mirror, making sure everything looked right. Her job required consolidated packing, but she’d splurged and brought along her favorite pair of strappy wedge sandals to go with her white skinny jeans and deep purple top. She wanted to look her best when Mitch took her out to dinner tonight.
It had been pure torture pretending that there was nothing going on between them during work hours—especially when he looked so darn handsome in his pilot uniform. Each time he caught her eye, her heart would start pumping so hard she was sure one of her coworkers would hear it. They’d sent covert texts to each other between flights, and every time she saw his number on her screen, she got a goofy grin on her face. But she needed to do a better job of hiding the way he made her feel, because Bonnie was already asking questions.
Maybe it was silly to try to hide what was going on, but things between them were still new enough that Leah didn’t want to complicate it. Besides, admitting her feelings to the world would mean admitting them to herself, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to do that yet.
A knock sounded at her door and she checked the peephole, beaming as soon as she saw Mitch. She opened the door and her heart fluttered at his disarming smile, his blue eyes warm and inviting. Without saying anything, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. Leah sighed and allowed the door to close behind them before pulling him close, breathing in his heady scent.
“I missed you,” she whispered.
“Me too.” He held her tight before pulling back, tracing her cheek before bending down to kiss her.
Fireworks exploded inside of every nerve ending in Leah’s body as she kissed him back, not allowing the usual worries to enter her mind. All that mattered was that she was with Mitch; kissing him. Needing him. She let her fingers play with the hair at the nape of his neck, delighting in the sighs it elicited from him as he pressed her back against the door, kissing her thoroughly before he nuzzled her neck and pulled away, keeping hold of her hand.
“Are you ready?” he asked, lifting her hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles.
“Yep. Let me just grab my purse.” What she really wanted was more of his kisses, but if she told him that, they might never leave the room.
“Sure.”
As she walked toward the desk where she’d left her purse, she could hear the muffled sound of her ringtone inside of it. She pulled out her phone to see that it was Olivia calling. Leah swiped to answer before it went to voicemail. “Hey, Liv. Is everything okay?” She glanced at Mitch with an apologetic look.
He nodded in understanding, waiting patiently by the door.
“Leah? It’s your mom. I can’t get her to calm down and I don’t know what to do,” Olivia’s voice shook and Leah’s stomach dropped at the sound of her mom shouting in the background.
“Did you try turning on the TV?” She bit her thumbnail as panic rose like a strangling vine.
“Yes. And I tried making her cocoa. I’ve never seen her like this before. She turned over her tray table, and she won’t let me near her. She keeps screaming at me that I’m not allowed in her house and need to get out.” A small sob escaped her throat. “I’m sorry I bothered you, I just don’t know what else to try.”
Leah squeezed her eyes shut, sickened by the sound of her mother’s ranting in the backgrou
nd. She should be dealing with this, not Olivia. She never should have put her friend in this situation. “Liv, I’m so sorry,” she said, barely aware of Mitch’s arm around her. “See if Patty is willing to come over. Maybe if Mom sees her, she’ll calm down. If she doesn’t calm down soon, call the paramedics. They can give her something to help her calm down. I don’t want either of you getting hurt. I’ll get home as soon as I can.”
“Let me see if Patty and I can’t help calm her down. Don’t cancel your trip yet. I’ll call Patty and keep you posted.”
“Okay. I’m so sorry,” Leah repeated, holding a trembling hand to her mouth. Mitch gave her a reassuring squeeze.
“Don’t apologize. I’ll call you back soon,” Olivia promised before ending the call.
Leah trembled all over now as she stared blankly at the screen. Mitch guided her toward the chair and helped her sit down, crouching in front of her.
“That was Olivia,” she said, feeling numb. “Could you hear my mom?”
“Yes,” he said softly. “It sounds like she’s not doing well.”
She nodded, anxiety clawing at her chest. “I need to get home as soon as possible.” She searched through the contacts on her phone through blurry vision. “I have to call crew support and tell them I can’t make the rest of the trip.”
He lifted an eyebrow and rested his hand on her knee. “I thought Olivia told you to wait in case she can get your mom to calm down.”
She shook her head. “Even if—when,” she corrected herself, “when she calms down, what about the next time? I can’t risk Olivia’s safety like this. I’m going to have to take care of my mom from here on out.”
Mitch reared back. “Wait . . . what do you mean?”
She swallowed and bit her lip to keep from crying. “I’m saying I have to quit.”
“Leah,” his tone was a caress as he took her hand and waited until she met his gaze, his eyes filled with compassion. “I know where you’re coming from, and of course it’s your decision—but I also know that that’s not what your mom wants you to do.”
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