Chapter 110: Kade — Before

Today was a perfect day. The sky was blue. There were a few white puffy clouds, and the air was the perfect temperature.

The wings of the little prop plane glinted in the sunlight.

It was Saturday, so there was no one else at the airport. It was just a quiet, clear day at the university airport.

I had my paperwork. My clipboard. Everything was cleared.

I’d flown solo before, but this was my first time taking a passenger up with me.

Two souls. That’s what the paperwork said.

I opened the passenger door to the plane and Madison hopped in. She was wearing blue jeans and Tech t-shirt that matched her white baseball cap. Her long hair was pulled back in a high ponytail.

“Need some help?” I asked.

She turned and smiled at me. “I’ve got it.” She deftly strapped herself into the four-point harness.

I closed her door and went around to the pilot’s side.

I was so nervous my hands were trembling.

It was funny because Madison didn’t seem the least bit nervous. She trusted me way more than I trusted me.

But at the same time, this was one of the most exciting moments of my life.

To be taking my girlfriend up in an airplane, meant that was officially a pilot.

I climbed inside, fastened my own belt, and went down the checklist on my clipboard.

“You ready?” I asked.

“Ready when you are,” she said.

I remembered my flight. I’d been fifteen years old when my grandparents had flown me with them to Alaska. I was hooked.

After that, the only thing I talked about was airplanes. I researched them. Studied them.

I built a model airplane that I still had.

Then I started researching schools. I wanted to learn to fly. I wanted to be a pilot.

And here I was.

Today.

And I was sharing this special moment with the girl I was in love with.

We taxied down the runway to get into position for takeoff.

I looked at Madison.

She put her hand over mine and smiled brightly.

“You’ve got this,” she said. “You’re going to be great.”

I nodded.

She instinctively knew I was nervous.

But I took a deep breath and smiled at her.

She was right. I knew what I was doing.

If I didn’t, I would never have taking Madison in the air.

Madison and I had been inseparable for about two months now.

I’d been wanted to kiss her since the first day I’d seen her.

I thought I’d shown extraordinary gentlemanly restraint.

But right here. Right now. I decided it was time to change that.

I pulled gently on her hand, bringing her closer.

“A kiss for luck?”

She smiled and I leaned toward her, her eyes fluttered closed.

I slowly lowered my lips toward hers.

My heart was pounding dangerously in my chest.

It was a combination of my nervousness about flying and my nervousness about kissing Madison.

My lips hovered over hers for a moment. Then I pressed my lips against her.

And everything inside me shifted into perspective.

It was a simple kiss that changed my life.

I was no longer nervous.

I had everything I wanted in life right here in my hands at this very moment.

Madison Worthington and my hands on the yoke of an airplane.

I straightened and grinned at her.

As long as I had Madison next to me, I could do anything.

And together, I knew that whatever life threw at us, we could figure it out.

And I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.