Mile High (Windy City, #1)

by Liz Tomforde

“Maybe think about getting a bigger uniform. The one you wore today was awfully tight, and I don’t want the guys on board getting the wrong idea.”

Excuse me??

“What about Stevie? She was there because I was bored, but I’m going pro. Do you know the quality of women that are about to throw themselves at me? You think I’m going to stay with Shay’s sister when I have better options?”

“Um...” I stumble. “I want...” Think. Of. Something. You idiot. “I want—” “He wants to sleep with you,” Maddison chimes in from the seat next to me.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” My voice is as quiet as I can make it. “If you say anything, I will end you. Then I’ll marry your wife just to spite you, and your son will grow up calling me Daddy.”

“Oh, fuck you!” Maddison isn’t trying to be quiet at all. “Stevie, Zee wants you to be his date to a charity gala in Chicago, but he’s too chicken shit to ask and doesn’t think you’d want to go with him.” “I fucking hate you. We are no longer friends.”

“My family nickname is Zee. Vee and Zee. Aren’t we fucking adorable?”

“I don’t see you the way you see yourself. I think you’re good, and sweet, and hilarious, and fucking stunning, Vee. And I just want a chance.” She stays silent, so I add, “You want to be chosen first? Well, so do I. So, choose me.”

Maddison: Close your fucking curtains. Maddison: Don’t ignore me, asshole. Close your fucking curtains.

“Zee!” I call into the next room over. “Are those flowers for me?” He peeks his head around the partition, eyes on the vase. “Oh no. Not for you because last night was not a date. Not in the slightest.” His cheeky smile is adorable.

“And one day, because of you, I’ll get to join the mile-high club.”

“Rosie, please tell Stevie that she’s going to owe me a very long, very naked shower after this.” Stevie rolls her eyes once again. “Rosie, please tell your dad that he sounds like a pretentious a-hole right now.” “Vee...” I narrow my eyes. “Rosie can’t speak.”

That is until Maddison comes up behind him and smacks his helmet, probably giving Zanders shit for acting as soft as he does around his own wife.

I shoot Stevie a hundred dollars via Venmo with the caption “Red, please,” but she denies it, sending it right back. Stevie Girl: You’re not paying to pick my nail color. I send the Venmo payment again. Stevie Girl: How much do you think it costs to get your nails painted? Me: I don’t know. $100? Red, please. Stevie Girl: Fine, this will cover Ella’s too. Me: Make sure she knows her favorite uncle paid. Stevie Girl: Don’t worry,

“You didn’t text back, and I needed to see you,” he whispers, his head on a swivel as he glances from the front of the plane to the back, making sure we’re in the clear. “You look so pretty.”

Maddison snickers in the seat next to him. “Sorry.” He shakes his head, laughing. “Stevie, you do look great, but I can’t get over how much this guy sounds like me.” “Shh,” Zanders hushes over his shoulder. “I’m busy being a couple.”

“For fuck’s sake! Let it fucking go!” Zanders’ palms land harshly on the wooden table as silence overtakes the rowdy group. “I have a fucking girlfriend, okay? And she’s right there.” He motions towards me, completely fed up and frustrated. “So please, for the love of God, shut the fuck up.”

“You don’t have to love your body every single day. That’s unrealistic to expect, but I’ll be here loving it for the days you can’t.”

“Take your pictures, post it where you want. I don’t care anymore.” I take a deep breath as the realization of what I’m doing hits me. “I might not look how you want me to, but you know how many women look like me? The words you say online about my body affect not only me but them too. So, I’m done hiding because I’m afraid of what you have to say.” I hold my arms out to the side, putting myself on display. “This is me, and if you feel the need to comment on it, well, that says a whole lot more about you than it does about me.”

This season means nothing without you. Nothing matters without you. Please come tonight. -Zee