All I Wanna Do Is You: A Road Trip Rom-Com

by Dylann Crush

  “Yeah, sorry about that. How long have we been in the air?”

  “About fifteen minutes.”

  “That’s it?” Sure seemed like much longer. She’d even had time for a little daydream while she’d been trying to distract herself. More like a fantasy. Zach held her hand tight in his as they walked along the beach at sunset. Their bare feet made tracks through the wet sand. At the exact moment before the sun dipped below the horizon he’d turned to her, grasped her face between his hands, and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before.

  Her cheeks burned as if the sun still danced across them. She hadn’t been this affected by a man in years. Not since she’d been around this man. No matter how much she wanted to slip her hands under his T-shirt and run her fingers over those defined pecs, Zach Anderson wasn’t an option.

  Her dad would go into cardiac arrest. He wanted to have a say in everything, even down to what kind of guy she dated. As far as he was concerned, everything she and Teddy did reflected on him and his campaign. Zach hadn’t made the cut back in high school, and she’d be willing to bet the present Zach wouldn’t either, not with that tousled hair, the scruffy goatee, and a career based on snapping pics of swimsuit models.

  “Can I get you anything to drink?” The flight attendant stopped the rolling beverage cart next to Zach’s seat and leaned into their row.

  “Yes, please.” Reagan looked at Zach. “My treat. What do you want?”

  “Got any single malt?” He raised his gaze to the flight attendant.

  Hit with the full force of his panty-dropping stare, the woman smiled back. “Sorry, not in the main cabin.” Her eyelids batted against ivory cheeks.

  “Maybe just a beer then.” Zach winked at her.

  The flight attendant blushed.

  Regan’s jaw dropped.

  “Let me see what I can do. I might be able to sneak something back to you.” She took a cup filled with ice and spun around then walked all the way up the aisle to first class and disappeared behind the curtain.

  Reagan jabbed him in the shoulder. “Does that ever backfire on you?”

  “What?” His eyes went wide in mock surprise, and his lips bowed up in a delicious curve.

  She shook her head and studied the list of beverages in the in-flight magazine. The attendant returned to the cart. She put a hand on Zach’s shoulder as she leaned over and set a drink down on the tray in front of him. “I borrowed a little from a bottle my friend picked up for her husband at the duty-free shop. Don’t tell anyone.”

  “You got it, um…”

  She thrust her hand in front of him, and he shook it. “Angie.”

  “Thanks, Angie.”

  Another smile from Zach. Another blush from Angie. Reagan may as well have disappeared underneath the seat in front of her. Angie stepped on the brake of the cart and prepared to move it down the aisle.

  Zach reached out and touched her arm. “How about a drink for my friend?”

  Angie’s smile morphed from dazzling to patronizing. “Sure. What can I get you, ma’am?”

  Ma’am? Ma’am was for women like her mother. Reagan let the comment slide. “Chardonnay?”

  Angie rummaged through the metal drawer and pulled out a single-serving bottle of cheap wine. Then she practically crawled over Zach’s lap to set the bottle and cup down on Reagan’s tray. For crying out loud. Reagan handed her a credit card and Angie tucked it into her apron.

  “I’ll be back with your card in a couple of minutes.”

  “Thanks.” Reagan dropped her wallet into the seat pocket in front of her and turned her attention to the screw top on her wine. At least it felt cold.

  Zach lifted his cup and tapped it against hers. “Cheers.”

  “To what?”

  “To new beginnings. To Teddy and Cal, wherever they may be.” His gaze stayed on hers as he lifted the cup to his lips and took a small sip.

  “I feel a little bad about keeping secrets.” It was one thing to keep her mouth shut in public or around strangers. But Zach had been the one she shared some of her deepest thoughts and concerns with as she navigated through life in the public eye. He’d always encouraged her to open up. It would be easy to slip back into the easy way they used to have between them. Way too easy.

  “Don’t. I totally get it. I can’t imagine what that’s like, not being able to trust anyone. Not even people you’ve known for a long time.”

  Reagan frowned. “It’s awful. I haven’t had any bad experiences lately, but there were a few times in college that got pretty intense.”

  “What happened?”

  “Maybe you remember seeing it play out in the tabloids. During one of Dad’s re-election campaigns, the other candidate’s camp planted the idea my dad was having an affair. It was a lie. But we still had photographers following us everywhere.”

  Zach played with the edge of his napkin. “We’re not all complete assholes, you know.”

  “I’m not talking about you. Your pictures are fun, exotic beaches and remote travel locations. These guys were only out to make a quick buck.”

  He cleared his throat. “So I’ve heard your dad’s name mentioned as a possible VP nominee. Is your family excited?”

  “Dad’s asked me to join his staff if he secures the nomination, but I don’t want the attention. I thought once I moved into my own place it would get better. Now, with Teddy getting married and Dad on the short list for VP, the next few months are going to be a little crazy.”

  Zach took another sip of his drink. “I remember Teddy in high school. He was always making promises to the student body. My favorite was the time he vowed if elected he’d get a slushy machine installed in the cafeteria.”

  “Yep. He did, too.” Reagan smirked at the memory of her overly enthusiastic sibling.

  “Until the PTA petitioned and the principal had it removed.”

  They shared a laugh. It was so easy talking to Zach. Too easy. A few minutes in his presence and the anger from the past eight years had already eased. He reminded her of simpler times when her biggest decision was whether to do her Algebra or English homework first and which pair of jeans to wear.

  When did her life get so complicated? Trying to balance the demands of her father’s political aspirations with her own flourishing career had her operating outside her comfort zone. Reagan preferred to maintain tight reins on all aspects of her life, and when faced with uncertainty, it only made her want to clamp down tighter to regain control.

  At least the wedding should go off without a major hitch. She sighed and took another sip of wine. The timeline had been burned into her brain. Even with her experience of working events at the resorts, no matter how well-orchestrated, little things always popped up.

  This tiny glitch of a delayed flight should count as one of the little things. Once the plane landed in Miami, the plan would fall back in place, and she’d smooth out any additional wrinkles that dared to surface.

  Zach turned back to his magazine and she shifted to gaze out the window. They’d risen through the dark gray blanket that had covered Chicago all day. She attempted to relax against the seatback as the plane appeared to float above pillows of soft, fluffy white clouds. If all flights were like this, there wouldn’t be any need for Calming Blend and the prescription of anti-anxiety meds she’d tucked into her purse.

  She’d just leaned her head against the window to enjoy the pinks and oranges of the setting sun, when a loud thump shook the cabin.

  “What was that?” Her fingers dug into Zach’s forearm.

  “Probably something shifting in the luggage area?” Zach guessed.

  Other passengers seemed to notice. A baby in the row behind her took in a few ragged breaths and let out an ear-splitting scream as the cabin speakers crackled to life.

  “This is your pilot. We’re experiencing a small issue with one of the hydraulic systems. Nothing to worry about, folks. But as a precaution, air traffic control wants us to divert into Lexington. We ought to be on t
he ground in about twenty minutes, and we’ll give the ground crew a chance to check everything over. I’ll keep you posted as we get more information. For now, flight attendants, prepare for landing.”

  Reagan let go of his arm and squeezed his thigh again. Not an unpleasant sensation. Under different circumstances, he’d be more enthused about her touch so close to his crotch.

  “Something’s wrong with the plane. We’re going to crash, aren’t we?” She tensed, increasing the pressure of her fingers.

  He downed the remaining swallow of scotch. “I’m sure it’s fine. The pilot said it’s just a precaution.”

  Angie stopped by their row with a trash bag. “I need to collect all of your trash.”

  He grabbed both of their cups, careful not to spill the wine Reagan had barely touched, and tossed them in the bag.

  “What’s wrong with the plane?” Reagan asked.

  “Like the pilot said, something’s up with the hydraulics. We’ll get on the ground and have them check it out. Nothing to worry about.” Angie smiled, a tight, close-lipped smile that didn’t reach her eyes, and continued her quest for remaining beverage service items.

  “She’s lying, isn’t she?”

  Zach took Reagan’s hand in both of his. “It’ll be fine. I promise.” Seemed like Reagan was seriously about to lose her shit. Talking to her didn’t seem to be doing much good. He cleared his throat and turned his full attention on her. “You want to try something for me? To help you calm down?”

  Her body was tense, her spine ramrod straight. “Sure. Why not?”

  “I picked up some breathing techniques during the time I spent at the monastery. Trust me on this.”

  Worry wrinkled her brow.

  He felt a bit awkward speaking the words aloud. “Focus on the tip of your nose.”

  Reagan’s eyes crossed, the literal interpretation of his words, and he laughed out loud.

  She ripped her hand away and swatted his arm. “Yeah, that helped a lot. Maybe I’m better off dipping into my Ativan.”

  “Let’s try again. Close your eyes and focus your breath on the tip of your nose.”

  Reagan closed her eyes for a split second and opened them again. “I don’t even know what that means. How do I breathe through the tip of my nose?”

  “You still don’t take direction well, do you? Just go with it. There’s no right or wrong. Let it come to you.” Even in a panic, she was a bit of a control freak. She’d been like that back in high school, too. Until they started dating and he got her to loosen up and have a little bit of fun. Guilt pressed on his chest. He was probably the one responsible for her retreating back into her protective shell.

  “Fine.” She closed her eyes and let her head rest against the cushion. “Breathing through the tip of my nose. Here we go.”

  With each long breath in and out, her shoulders lowered, her breath slowed. Until the plane hit an air pocket.

  Her eyes flew open, wide with panic, and she practically launched herself into his lap. “Are we crashing?”

  “No. Just a little turbulence. You’re doing great. Tip of your nose, come on.”

  She let her eyelids drift close again and resumed the steady in and out. The front of her shirt moved with each inhale and exhale, and he let his gaze float over this all grown up version of Reagan beside him.

  She’d filled out since those memorable seven minutes in high school. Even back then she’d been a knockout. Her hair was lighter, streaked with different shades of blonde. He glanced at perfectly manicured nails. Not a hangnail in sight. A stark contrast to his callused, bronzed hands.

  “Am I calmer? Do you think it’s working yet?”

  Zach smirked and shook his head. “Keep trying. I think you’ve almost got it.”

  Yeah, he’d had it bad for her back then. But even as a limit-pushing seventeen year old, he should have known he’d never get past second base with her. His dad didn’t belong to the country club or make significant campaign contributions to attend Senator Campbell’s pricey fundraiser dinners. Zach’s mom had left when he was twelve, so she’d never hobnobbed at the bake sale or hosted one of those stupid morning-after breakfasts the day after a Homecoming or Sadie Hawkins dance. The best Zach could do was find a way out, a way to create a better life for himself than his dad had been able to do. He’d found that better life when he picked up his first Nikon.

  Reagan’s steady breath continued as the plane touched down, bounced up into the air again, then settled onto the runway. She opened her eyes as they slowed.

  “Thanks for that. I’m not sure I actually got the breath flowing through the tip of my nose, but it did help.”

  “My pleasure.” He meant it. If something he picked up on one of his travels helped someone, he was happy to share. The twinge hit his gut again. He cleared his throat, trying to ignore it. The plane stopped rolling forward, and he reached under the seat in front of him for his pack. “Wonder how long we’ll be on the ground.”

  Reagan unbuckled her seatbelt and retrieved her purse. “Do you mind grabbing the bakery box?” She gestured to the overhead bin.

  He stood up and pulled the pink box out of the bin above. Someone’s carry-on must have slid into it as they landed. One side of the box crumpled in.

  “Oh no.” Reagan peeked inside to survey the damage. “I should have known better than to put this in the overhead bin.”

  He could have told her that, but would she have listened? Probably not. “What were you going to do, hold it on your lap the whole way?”

  “If that what it takes to get it to Teddy in one piece. Now I’ve got a squashed cupcake and a bent box.”

  Zach cocked his head. “Yeah, looks like you’ve got a casualty. Maybe you should consider letting me get that little taste of heaven after all.”

  4

  The hundred or so passengers stranded at Lexington’s Bluegrass Airport milled about the gate area, waiting for an update. Reagan sat on a hard, plastic bench next to Zach, guarding the cupcakes like a rabid dog with a juicy bone. Restaurants had shut down an hour earlier, and Zach had been eyeing the pink box ever since.

  “You said one of them got crunched. Let’s put it out of its misery.” Zach cautiously reached for the lid.

  She was about to slap his hand away when an announcement blared over the speaker.

  “For passengers on the diverted flight to Miami, the ground crew is unable to make a repair. Since we don’t have regular flights going in and out of this airport, we’re going to bus everyone over to Louisville so we can get you on a flight first thing in the morning.” Sighs, grunts, and groans sounded throughout the cramped gate area. “We’ll handle your checked bags. If you can grab your carry-ons and line up here at the desk, I’ll get everyone a hotel voucher and we’ll be on our way.”

  Panic clawed at her gut, shredding her forced composure. “Louisville? How far away is that?” Reagan pulled out her phone and fired up her map app to try to determine the distance.

  “About an hour,” Zach said.

  Why, oh why, hadn’t she taken the flight with her family? “It’s already almost ten. By the time we get to a hotel it’ll probably be midnight.”

  “You going to turn into a pumpkin or something?” A smirk crinkled the corners of his eyes. Her emotions bounced back and forth between wanting to punch his scruffy jaw and wanting to kiss that damn grin right off his face. She’d convinced herself she could handle being around him for the duration of the flight. But now… how would she manage to keep herself from trying to find out if he was still the best kisser she’d ever known?

  Reagan blew out a frustrated breath. “Very funny. I’ve got a boat to catch tomorrow afternoon. Excuse me for a minute?” She tapped on the screen of her phone. “Will you keep an eye on the cupcakes?”

  Zach reached for the box and settled it on his lap then lifted the corner to peek inside. “You sure you don’t want me to get rid of the damaged one?”

  She poked him in the chest. “Don’t even thi
nk about it, Anderson.”

  His hands went up in defense. “Free smells, right?”

  “I’m counting them as soon as I get back,” Reagan said.

  “Hey, why don’t you stay here and I’ll go get our hotel vouchers?”

  Reagan eyed the passengers who had already lined up in front of the desk. “Sure, that would be great.”

  Zach held out his hand and she passed him her travel folio.

  “Thanks.”

  “Happy to help.”

  He moved toward the end of the long line and she took the opportunity to call Teddy in relative privacy. She needed to get to Miami. The yacht she’d chartered to take everyone to the secluded resort was scheduled to leave right after lunch tomorrow. If she didn’t make it, she’d either have to wait until Friday to take the boat she’d reserved for guests or figure out her own way to travel the 100-plus nautical miles to the exclusive island paradise.

  She’d tried to talk her dad into a less complicated location, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He loved Teddy with all his heart, she never doubted that. But when it came to politics and his damn reputation, image was everything. If the conservative senator was caught endorsing the same sex marriage of his only son, it would obliterate his bid for the VP nomination.

  Politics—yes, it had financed her upbringing, and her dad even sponsored a few bills she was proud of. It wasn’t her dad’s job she hated, it was his connections, his position, and the expectations cast around their whole family. She hadn’t been able to escape the limelight as a child, and she still couldn’t seem to avoid it as an adult. In her heart she knew the only way to make a clean break would be to leave Chicago. But with her career taking off, that was a step she wasn’t willing to take quite yet.

  Teddy answered, his voice muffled by loud reggae music in the background. “Hey, sis. You here yet?”

  “No. I’m stuck in Lexington.”

  “What? I can’t hear you.”

  Reagan raised her voice. “I said I’m stuck in Lexington.”

  “Kentucky?”

  “Yes, Kentucky. The flight had a mechanical failure. They’re bussing us over to Louisville, and I won’t be able to get on another plane until tomorrow.”