Page 63 of The Golden Scoop

“This trip much be such a headache for you,” I groan. “You can still leave. I’ll cover for you. A stomach bug, family emergency. Whatever you need.”

Emma giggles, my chest loosens, and my heart starts warming up after two days of being frozen over. I’ve missed her. Didn’t know it was this much until she walked in.

“You’re my headache, Matthew,” she teases. “It’s fine. I’ll admit, when Jennifer sent me the itinerary, I thought you’d be in first class, and I’d be stuck middle seat at the back.”

She glances around.

“Didn’t expect for a car to pick me up and drop me off here.”

“It’s hard to stick to a normal departure schedule most of the time,” I rationalize. “For the record, there’s no way I’d let you fly on your own.”

“Didn’t think you cared.”

Only I can manage to have the opposite effect of what I’ve been trying to do this whole time. But staying away doesn’t mean I can’t be honest now.

“I always care. More than you think,” I say, the words coming out quieter than I intend. It’s like when I try being vulnerable with her, she absorbs all the confidence out of me until I’m a pile of mush. I hate how easy it is for her to do that.

She doesn’t make a sound. I’m not even sure she’s processing what I’m saying.

“Listen, I understand if you don’t want to talk to me. Ask me to move and I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the trip. But… if you’d like to, I have some things to say.”

Her gaze focuses on me, as she considers for a second, then nods.

“Alright,” she says. “I’ll bite.”

“I hope not,” I joke, trying to ease the growing tension. “I messed up. I’m sorry. Like, really sorry. It’s inexcusable. I was out of line, out of control. I’m embarrassed. And I know this probably won’t make you feel any better, but I did apologize to Stella. She’s a friend. I’ve known her for years, and I shouldn’t have dragged her into my mess.”

Her eyebrows lift, like she’s not entirely believing me. With my reputation, I don’t blame her.

“Why did you?”

“I told you. I was jealous.” I sigh and look down, buying myself a second. “You’re incredible, Mills. You’re smart. Ridiculously beautiful. And somehow still the kindest soul I’ve ever met.”

Her cheeks start turning a bright pink.

“It’s hard to stay away. These past couple of weeks, I thought I was finally breaking through that wall that’s always been between us, and seeing you pull away when I was so close…” I shake my head. “I couldn’t handle it.”

“That’s a lot to… unpack,” she says, our gazes locked. “You could’ve asked me out.”

“Yeah, I could’ve.” I huff a quiet laugh. “I was scared. No excuses today.”

“Scared of what?”

“I didn’t think you were being serious,” I admit. “My past hasn’t really made me the most comfortable showing my true self to others.”

“I think,” she says slowly, “nerdy Matt is better than action star Matt.”

“Thanks. Good to know I’ve got one fan,” I answer lightly. “Either way, I’ve realized you deserve so much better. Someone who’ll go surfing with you. Someone who’ll follow you in every adventure.”

Emma hums. “Maybe. But then again, that’s not really for you to decide.”

“No. It’s not.”

She turns to stare out the window, lost in thought. I want to ask what she’s thinking, but it’s not my place.

The plane door clicks shut. It’s not until we’re told to fasten our seatbelts and start taxiing that she meets my eyes again.

“Thank you for being honest with me,” she says. “I wish you would’ve said all of this the other day.”