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We settled into our seats as the crew finished their preparations. Lucy chose a spot by the window, pressing her face to the glass like a kid on her first airplane ride. I sat across from her, content to watch her excitement.
“The flight to New York is about five hours,” I told her. “We’ll refuel there, and then it’s another eight hours to Switzerland. Long haul, but at least we’ll be comfortable.”
“I can think of worse ways to spend thirteen hours.” She turned away from the window and met my eyes. “Thank you for this. For bringing me. I know I was difficult about it at first.”
“You weren’t difficult. You don’t like the cold and we’ve been traveling the world for nearly a year straight.”
“Still. I’m glad I’m here.”
“Me too.”
The plane took off smoothly, and within minutes we were above the clouds. Lucy accepted a mimosa from the flight attendant and curled up in her seat, looking very relaxed.
“Do you know what the concept is this time?” she asked.
“Similar to Alaska according to Sebastian. High fashion meets rugged landscape. But instead of frozen lakes and log cabins, we’re doing snowy peaks and Alpine chalets. Sebastian wants to capture something about the intersection of nature and luxury.”
“Sebastian and his artistic visions.”
“You know how he is. But the images from Alaska turned out incredible, so I trust his instincts.”
She nodded, sipping her drink. “The campaign really has been everywhere. Everyone wants a piece of you now.”
“Is that a problem?”
“It’s a good problem.” She set down her glass. “But it does mean we need to be strategic about what you take on next. You can’t say yes to everything.”
“That’s why I have you.”
“That’s why you have me,” she agreed, and something in her expression softened. “I’ll take care of you, Jeremy. I always do.”
The words felt different now. Before Alaska, they would have been purely professional. A manager promising to do her job. But now there were layers to that statement. I wanted to believe it was a promise that meant more than contracts and schedules.
“I know you will.”
We spent the first leg of the flight going over the Switzerland itinerary. Lucy pulled out her laptop and walked me through the shooting schedule, the locations, the wardrobe fittings. She was in full manager mode, efficient and focused. I loved watching her work. This was the Lucy I’d known for years. The one who kept my life running smoothly.
But now I got to see the other sides of her too. The woman who laughed at my stupid jokes. Kissed me for no reason at all. Who fell asleep in my arms and made little sounds in her sleep that I found unreasonably adorable.
I was so far gone for this woman it wasn’t even funny.
We landed in New York for refueling. Lucy stepped off the plane to stretch her legs, marveling at the private terminal like she had in LA. I bought her a coffee from the lounge and watched her wander around, taking pictures on her phone.
“For Gram,” she explained when she caught me watching. “She’s going to lose her mind when she sees all this.”
“Send her my best.”
“I will. She asks about you all the time.”
I grinned. “Ready for our next leg? We’ve got movies, snacks, and blankets.”
“And a bed,” she reminded me.
“Lucy, are you asking me to join the Mile High Club?”
She turned red as a tomato with her eyes as big as vinyl records. “Shut up!”
She looked around to make sure no one was listening.
