Emma leaned her head on his shoulder, and Grayson realized right in that moment that he felt more at home with her and Simone sitting together on an airplane than he had with anyone else since he left his mother’s home to go to college. The powerful feeling of rightness that came from spending time with them was impossible to deny. He could only hope that feeling would continue when they returned to Emma’s real life in the city. Would there be a place for him in that life? That remained to be seen.

Grayson enjoyed watching Simone’s excitement as the plane roared down the runway and lifted into the sky, rocking and rolling a bit due to the gusty wind.

“Is it supposed to do that?” Simone asked, her brows knitted in concern.

“It’s the wind,” Grayson said. “Once we get up above the clouds, it’ll be fine.”

“How long will it take to get to New York?”

“About an hour and a half. It’s a quick flight.”

“I don’t know if I like it,” Simone said as the plane encountered more turbulence in the clouds.

“I don’t think I like it either,” Emma said.

Grayson extended hands to each of them. “Hold on to me until we get above the clouds where it will be a nice smooth sunny day.” At least he hoped so. Both of them took him up on his offer, which had him leaning in close to Emma so he could reach Simone. After making sure Simone was captivated by the view outside the window, Grayson nuzzled Emma’s neck and whispered in her ear, “Relax. It’s all good. Just a few bumps on the climb out.”

“I hate to fly. I haven’t done it in years.”

“I do it all the time, or at least I used to. I’ve done so many long-haul flights to Europe and Asia on behalf of clients. I won’t miss that. There’ll probably only be nice short flights from Vermont to New York in my future now.”

She smiled at him and seemed to relax ever so slightly as the plane reached altitude and leveled off in smoother air.

Grayson ordered Bloody Marys for him and Emma and a Sprite for Simone.

“Mom never lets me get soda,” she said after he’d gotten her what she said she wanted.

“Are you trying to get me in trouble?” he asked.

“Special occasion,” Emma said. “Don’t make a habit out of it. Either of you.”