Page 93 of My All American Girl

40

DEAN

Sarah drained the last of her wine, a contented look on her face. It was endearing. She was tough as nails in the cockpit, but right then, I just saw a beautiful woman that I was insanely attracted to.

The waiter returned with my card. I signed the bill as Sarah sighed and pretended to struggle to stand up. I found myself laughing along with her. It would take a lot more than a few big lasagna meals to make her as big as she pretended to be.

“Alright, let’s go,” I said, offering my hand to her. She took it without hesitation.

As we walked out of the restaurant, she leaned into me, her arm snaking through mine, making me feel warm and connected. The London streets were lit up with soft white lights. It was beautiful, the perfect setting to stroll through with a gorgeous woman at my side.

We walked past Westminster Abbey.

“Wow,” Sarah breathed, her eyes wide with admiration as she gazed at the historic masterpiece. “I’ve only ever seen it in pictures. This is something else.”

I smiled at her reaction, glad to see her so enthralled. I had visited enough that some of the novelty had worn off, and her excitement rekindled my passion for the place. I was glad to be the one showing her the historical place.

“I wish we could go in.” She sighed.

“We can try and go tomorrow,” I offered. “I’d offer to break in but we don’t want to cause an international incident.”

“The general would court martial us both,” she said, grinning and shaking her head.

We continued our walk. The night air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the warmth of Mississippi. It was nice not to be sticky for a change.

As we rounded a corner, the Thames came into view with its surface reflecting the glow of the city’s lights. Sarah stopped and released my hand to lean over the edge, looking down at the river as it flowed beneath us.

“Can you feel the history?” she asked. “Imagine all the historical figures that have walked this path and stood right here. Winston Churchill, William Shakespeare, the Spice Girls.”

I laughed. “Indeed, there is history on every street corner.”

“I can’t believe I’m here,” she said softly. “It feels surreal. I was so focused on the flying aspect, I never really thought much about actually being in London.”

The first time I had been to London, I had felt the same way. But now, it was like seeing it for the first time again. That was because I was sharing it with her. She made it better. Her excitement was contagious and made me see the city through fresh eyes.

We continued our walk along the riverbank, holding hands like we were teenagers. Sarah sighed and rested her head on my shoulder.

“It’s nice to be out in the world with you,” she said. “It feels good to be normal together.”

“I agree,” I said.

Back home we would never be able to walk around freely like this. Not without arising suspicion, which would lead to reports, which would lead to the wrong people finding out about us, like Mo, which would lead to annihilation by a space laser, probably. We would both lose her father’s respect at the very least, and he would never forgive me for the betrayal. I didn’t think either of us were interested in having that happen.

“It sucks we have to keep this a secret,” she said. “We can’t go to dinner or even look at each other. It would cause a lot of trouble.”

“You’re right.” I nodded. “We could get around the rules, but I don’t think your dad would ever be okay with it.”

“I agree,” she said, her voice sounding muffled as she buried her face into my shoulder. “My father can be a bit overprotective.”

I chuckled lightly, thinking back to the steely gaze her father had given me the first time we met. He was a stern man. And strict. He didn’t break the rules. Ever.

We walked by a bar with a crowded nightlife. The noise of people having a good time spilled out onto the sidewalk. I glanced at Sarah, knowing how much she loved to dance and have a good time.

“Want to go in?” I asked, gesturing toward the bar.

She looked at me, a small smile playing on her lips. “No, not tonight. We don’t have much time with just the two of us being able to be together. I don’t want to waste it on a crowded dance floor. I don’t want to share you. I want us to go back to the hotel.”

Her words sent a thrill through me. I wasn’t going to say no to that. Without hesitating, we made our way back to the hotel and went up to our room.