High Places

High places is where they found themselves. After high school, he found himself in the sky as a Naval Aviator. She found herself in the sky as well, but stuck behind a desk in a skyscraper. Both missing a crucial piece in their life, not knowing that the pieces were right under their noses.

Best friends in high school, Lydia Rose Martin and William ‘Chief’ Evans had a falling out before graduation. Soon, William left for bootcamp and Lydia left for college. Now, eight years later, they find themselves searching for the missing piece.

Chapter One

This week long vaction hadn’t come fast enough. I never take vactions, in fact, I don’t even recall a time I have called in. Nine to five, monday through friday I was here, in this skyhigh building. Top floor of Martin-Steele Publishing, I was the Assistant Head Publisher. Basically, I did the Head Publisher’s reading and picked out various writers to try to get published. And then, he took my suggestions and passed them onto the board which in turn gave him soul credit of the successful authors. Great, right?

Wrong.

Either way, my father was still Co-CEO along with Mr. Steele. I may not get the credit, but I did my job well and got paid. That’s really what I’m here for. Tapping my pen subconsciously against my note pad, I paused writing down writers for my Head Publisher to look at while I was gone, my phone was blowing up. Looking to see who it was, I smiled answering the call.

“Hello, Angie. I still have five minutes left…” I say, looking at the time. It was 4:55, and we were catching a flight at 6. I had spent the night with her, she had my bags, and was on her way with a taxi,

“Oh, fuck that tight-wad boss of yours! We are on vaction baby!” I heard her laugh and then clear her throat, “Um, yes sir. Just one more left, its Martin-Steele Publishing…”

I hid my giggle, “Ang, your mouth…”

“I know, I know…but come on! We’re here!” She shouted over the phone before hanging up.

I decided two minutes wasn’t going to kill anyone, I promptly gathered my things, shutting down my monitors and made my way for the elevator. My heels clicked against the marble floors, and the muffled elevator music filled my ears as I rode all the way down from the 20th floor. Once I reached the lobby, I made my way out to the black suburban, where Angie was waving out the window. I smiled and hurried my steps as I gracefully slid into the back seat with her.

Giving the driver the new directions, we were off. We had a long night ahead of us, flying from New York to Tallahassee, and make the drive to Pensacola Beach, Florida. It was a smooth check in process, the airport was buzzing with loads of people. I guess Friday nights were a popular flight night. As soon as we arrived at our gate, we were able to board. Angie was busy on the phone with her boyfriend, and soon to be fiancé, Marcus. It didn’t bother me, I was used to third-wheeling with them. He had stuff to finish up at work and would meet us in Pensacola on Sunday morning.

I couldn’t help but get lost in my thoughts, thinking about all the deadlines I had to meet once we came back, and all the drafts I would have to read. I audibly sighed, as we walked onto the spacious Delta airplane. Angie finally hung up, when she grabbed my hand, bringing me from my thoughts,

“Hey, I forgot to tell you that they ran out of pair seats, so I had to separate us when I booked. We’re in the same row, just different sides.” She gave me an uneasy smile, hoping I wouldn’t be upset. And of course, I wasn’t.

“It’s all good Ang,” I smiled and giggled at her,

“Good! I’ll see you when we land.” She kissed my cheek, and we made our way down the separate isle. There were three seats on the outside, and a row of four going down the middle. I met her eyes as I met my row, and waved back at her. Thankfully, all I had with me was my dark brown Micheal Kors tote as my personal item, as I had checked a bag. I slowly sat down in my assigned window seat, crossing my legs, I quickly buckled in. I ran my hands over my navy blue pencil skirt, and straightened my white button up shirt. I left a few buttons undone, giving myself some air.

I didn’t think ahead like Angie did, and didn’t bring a change of clothes, but it’s not like I couldn’t survive. I pulled out my phone and AirPods, so I would be ready to block out any distractions. Suddenly, a voice I haven’t heard in years brings me from my distracted thoughts, causing my heart to stop.

“Lydia?”

My eyes shot up, finally making eye contact with the person whose voice just spoke my name. My breath hitched in my throat, and I just stared at him in awe. William Evans, my ex-best friend. Who I was infatuated with, and maybe even loved in high school. He had to be 6’5, built like a tank, solid, and muscular. Tan skin, the same ruffled brown hair, and dark hazel eyes. He was a bigger and better version of the William I knew, with a few new scars on his face and a mature mustache. I have never thought a mustache was sexy, but somehow he made it so.

“Lydia? Are you okay?” His voice rang in my ears once more, brining me out of my trance. I quickly cleared my throat and straighten up. Trying to regain some composure, I give him a court smile.

“Mr. Evans, I am quite alright, thank you for asking.” I averted my eyes, but I had already did damage. He knew I just practically drooled over him,

“Mr. Evans, huh?” He shook his head as he reached above into the overhead bin, placing his bag securely in. I can’t help but bite my lip at the sight of his shirt exposing his lower abdomen, seeing what I can only imagine as a chiseled set of abs and v-line.

Get yourself together, Lydia-Rose. He is just a guy.

No, he’s a man.

I look forward again, as he sits down in the middle seat next to me. Before he even gets a chance to speak again, another guy rushes up as the flight attendants begin to secure the cabin, quickly sitting on the aisle seat, and buckling. hispering something about ‘barely making it.’ This causes William to mostly be pressed against me, his muscular thigh making mine look like a toothpick. I take a deep breath,

“If you wanna be formal, you can call me Lieutenant Evans…Ms.Martin.”

Oh God, this is gonna be a long flight.