Laura
The steady hum of the plane's engines did nothing to calm my nerves. I gripped the armrest tightly, my knuckles turning white as I stared out of the window, watching the clouds roll by.
California. It was really happening. I was heading back to the one place I had sworn never to return to. My chest tightened as memories I'd tried to bury started bubbling up to the surface.
I closed my eyes, willing my thoughts to settle, but it wasn't working. Every bump of turbulence, every shift in the plane's altitude made my heart race. I was so lost in my anxiety that I didn't even notice Jake glancing over at me from the seat beside mine.
"You look like you're about to pass out," he said in his usual gruff tone.
I turned to look at him, my stomach doing flips. His eyes were sharp, studying me closely. I forced a smile, hoping it didn't look as fake as it felt.
"I'm fine," I lied, though my voice wavered.
