Chapter 168: Fun Secret
- RAYA -
After spending most of the weekend doing last minute shopping with Rory to make sure we have what we need for vacation, it’s finally early Monday morning.
I was like a little kid all night unable to sleep. Rory, Dex, and I all packed yesterday, and Rory went to bed early. The sun is now barely dawning over the horizon, providing its first rays of light spilling over the sky. Not even Dex is awake when I fling the covers back and perch next to the window.
Moira Rose rubs against my leg with her sweet little hungry mew. Even after giving her access to the whole house, she continues to stay in Dex’s room most of the time unless she accidentally gets shut out when we close the door.
And somehow she hasn’t ruined any furniture like she did that old mangled chair in my apartment. It’s a miracle. It’s like she knows she’s finally home and has no complaints. Or perhaps the scratch post Dex got her is entirely the reason for her good behavior.
Luciano said his sister would look after Moira while we’re gone. Vanessa still lives with their parents in that giant mansion, and when I expressed concern about the fact that Moira might actually end up getting lost, he assured me that she would be kept in Vanessa’s room. Then, as if anticipating any further worry from me, Luciano told me that his sister’s room is about as big as Dex’s guest house, so I guess Moira will still be enjoying quite the luxurious stay.
"Ready to go on your own little vacation, girl?" I squat down and rub her head.
Dex props himself onto an arm and smiles down at me. "Good morning."
"Good morning," I smile back. "No work today."
"No work today," he repeats, his grin growing. "Just lots of time with my favorite person."
"Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?" I stand and saunter over to the bed, sitting on the side before leaning to kiss him.
"And ruin the surprise?"
"I’m going to know once we get to the airport, right? You should just tell me now."
"I think you’re thinking of a public airport."
"What kind of airport are we going to?" I frown. I didn’t realize there were non-public airports.
"Private jet, private airport, angel," he grins again, that dimple teasing me and making my insides flutter.
"So the rest of us are not going to know until we land?"
"Luciano knows," he informs me.
"What?" I exclaim. "How is that fair?"
"Well the secret was supposed to be fun, but Luciano has a different idea of fun. And not telling him where he’s headed is not something he takes well," he chuckles and rubs a hand over his face like he has acquired this new information the hard way.
"So the two with the penises know where we’re going and the two without don’t," I groan. "That feels kind of..."
"Do not say sexist," he wiggles a finger at me in warning. "I am more than happy to tell your sister."
"And make me be alone in this mystery?" I climb over the bed, straddling him loosely so he has to drop back against the pillow.
Dex doesn’t look like he minds. His hands run the length of my thighs as his gaze runs over the rest of me. "You might be able to persuade me to tell you before we land," he says with a suggestive lilt.
"Persuade you how?" I hover over his lips, teasing him with my own. "With a kiss?"
He squints in mock consideration. Clearly a kiss won’t be enough.
"With...." I trail off, and he lifts a finger to silence me before I’m allowed to get creative.
"We don’t have time," he says, lifting me off and tossing me on my side of the bed where I’m left giggling at being thrown so unceremoniously. "But hold that thought, because there’s a bedroom on the plane."
"What?" My mouth drops, the giggling dropping with it. "An actual bedroom?"
"Yeah." He winks and runs his hands through his hair before retrieving the clothes he laid out last night to travel in. "We have to drop Moira off at my uncle’s, remember? We need to leave early."
"You’re right," I say, getting up to retrieve my travel clothes as well.
I’m still wondering what a bedroom would actually look like on a plane and shocked that I’m going to find out. I’ve been in a camper before. Maybe it is kind of like that only... very, very high in the air.
My stomach dips.
"How long is the flight?" I ask, biting my lip and shooting him a curious glance.
Dex gives me a wry smile like he’s aware I’m trying to narrow the possibilities. But something causes him to relent. Maybe I’ve already developed the telltale signs of aerophobia.
"It’s only about five hours," he says, padding over to me now that his clothes are on. "Don’t worry, okay? It’s going to be a smooth trip."
———————
Moira is a nightmare to get in her carrier, surprisingly. It makes me feel horribly guilty when I look into the carrier’s black barred door and see her judging, flashing eyes staring back at me.
At least Rory is in a better mood than the cat. She has been quiet most of the weekend, feigning smiles of excitement when we discuss the trip. But this morning she seems a little more like herself as she helps load up the truck.
"Luciano is meeting us at the house, and then we’ll all just ride together in the truck," Dex says as he carries the last of our things out and we pile in.
I sit in the back with Moira’s carrier between Rory and I, feeling the feline rage emanating through the plastic walls.
Dex glances back at me in the rearview mirror. "Really?"
"What?" I chuckle. "I feel bad for Moira."
It’s true, but I also want to ride in the back with Rory from the house to the airport so that she doesn’t feel trapped into sitting next to Luciano. Not that sitting next to him is a bad thing, but I’m trying to tread carefully.
I really want Rory to enjoy this trip. I’m hoping it’s going to be at least a little of something she needs to help move her through this difficult time. She still hasn’t done any work, as far as I know. And while the food critic job is really flexible, I’m sure there are limits to that flexibility as well. She won’t talk about it, either. When I have tried to gently ask her about work, she always deflects.
"You can sit up front with him," Rory says, and my eyes cut to her.
Can my sister read thoughts? Or am I just that transparent about my motivations?
"No, it’s okay," Dex answers like he’s finally catching on. "I’ll have plenty of time alone with your sister on the plane."
"On the plane?" She repeats as a question.
Dex doesn’t say anything in follow-up to that, so I’m left with the idea of a bedroom on a plane jangling around in my mind again.
"Private planes must be really different," she mutters to herself, not seeking an answer as her gaze casts out the window. "Thanks for doing this, Dex," she says off topic, surprising me with how much energy she puts into those words. It ends on a soft sigh like it took some work, but I’m smiling anyway. With the exception of Moira’s little tantrum, this vacation is already getting off to a good start.
