Download Chapters!
Read more interesting stories!
Kristen Stephens, Boston airport.
You browse through the magazines at the airport newsstand trying to keep your nerves calm.
Intercom
Flight 8445 is now boarding.
Kristen
(This is it. No turning back.)
You leave the newsstand without buying a magazine and hurry towards the gate.
You walk down the aisle of the plane looking for your seat and find it blocked by a handsome, albeit frowning, man.
Kristen
Hello.
Will
…
Kristen
Um... excuse me. I think that's my seat.
Will
Let me help you with your bag.
Kristen
Yes, thanks! Can you believe it? I got bumped up to 1st class!
Will
…
Kristen
Oh, sorry. When I'm nervous, I talk. A lot. And flying makes me nervous.
Kristen
Is it obvious?
Will
Nothing to worry about. It’s safer up here than on the freeway.
Will
I’m Will.
Kristen
Kristen.
Will
Champagne?
Kristen
Sounds great.
A flight attendant immediately appears with 2 flutes of champagne.
Kristen
Wow. Are we even allowed to drink yet?
Will
Ah, yeah.
Will
So, where are you from?
Kristen
Here. Boston.
Will
And you are travelling for…
Kristen
I am... I'm...
Kristen
I work for a landscape company that is bidding for a… uh probably confidential design project.
Will
I can tell you're an artist.
Kristen
Maybe you've seen some of my work.
Will
Where have you worked?
Kristen
Lucky for you, I just happen to have my portfolio with me.
You open up the portfolio and show him your images. You didn't mean to bring it, afterall this trip isn't for business, but now you're glad you did.
Will
Very impressive.
The engines roar to life, and you grip your armrest and take a deep breath.
Will
And what do you do when you're not working?
Kristen
I'm usually working. I love everything about my job so I don't mind.
Will
Oh.
Kristen
Here, I’ve been going on and on about my work, and you haven't said anything about yours.
Will
I'm in real estate.
His eyes drop.
Kristen
Did I say something wrong?
Will
No, I just thought... I wish I could be... as enthusiastic about my work as you are about yours.
Kristen
Well, there are different facets of real estate…
Kristen
Maybe you just haven't found your niche yet?
Will
It’s more complicated than that, in the business—
Will
You know, you could be right.
Kristen
Don't beat yourself up. It took me a while to realize that I am far happier playing in the dirt than playing office.
Kristen
All that artificial air and light. Ugh!
The plane shakes and experiences a sharp altitude drop.
You grip Will's arm and bury your face into his side.
Kristen
Ah!!! We're going to crash!
Kristen
My tragically short life is flashing before my eyes…
Will
*Laughs* It's okay, Kristen, you're fine. Just a bit of turbulence.
Will
Focus on something else.
Kristen
There was this time in 6th grade when I…
You blab on not really realizing what you're saying, just trying to calm your nerves. Between the flight and the reason for your trip, you're a mess.
Kristen
I think by the time I land, you're going to know every last thing about me!
Will
*Laughs* I don't know, this flight isn't all that long, and it sounds like you've got a lot of interesting stories to tell.
Kristen
Thanks for being here. I mean, I'm not sure what I would've done if I'd been alone through this.
He takes your hand and squeezes it. Butterflies build in your stomach.
Will
The flight is almost over. We'll be landing in New York before you know it.
Kristen
I'm sure you're right, but I'm just going to keep my eyes shut until we're safely on the ground.
With your nerves finally calm, you feel incredibly tired and drift off to sleep.
Will
You can open your eyes now, Kristen. We're here.
You open your eyes and realize your head must have been on his shoulder the entire time.
Will looks happy which helps make you not be so embarrassed.
Kristen
Oh, thank goodness!
Will
I'll get your bag down from the overhead compartment.
Kristen
Thanks, Will.
Will
Anytime, Kristen. Enjoy your stay in New York.
Kristen
I think I'm going to miss you. Any chance you'd be around to help me fly home?
Will
...
Will answers his ringing phone and seems lost to you now.
You casually wave goodbye and grab your suitcase from the carousel and head towards the taxi stand.
Will
Kristen!
Kristen
Will?
Will
Need a ride?
Kristen
Uh, sure. Thanks.
A luxurious town car pulls up to the curb, and a uniformed driver places your suitcase in the trunk.
Kristen
Wow. I am literally sinking into this soft leather seat. This is nice.
Will
Just nice?
Kristen
Okay, amazing.
Will
Amazing is better.
Will
So, where to?
Kristen
Hang on. I have the hotel address on my reservation.
You read out address of your hotel on the Lower East Side.
Will
I don't think so, Kristen.
Kristen
What do you mean?
Will
That hotel's in an area with a high crime rate.
Kristen
But, that 1 was actually affordable. Do you know how much hotels are in this city?
Will
Trust me. You need to stay elsewhere.
Will
I'm staying near Central Park.
Kristen
That sounds completely out of my budget.
Will
Your company won't cover an upgrade?
Kristen
My company isn't covering this trip.
Kristen
And, for the record, I only accepted a ride. I never asked for your protection.
Will
I know you didn't, but I'm afraid I have to insist.
Kristen
I don't know, Will. I mean… I don't want to stay in an unsafe neighborhood or anything… but I don't have many options.
Kristen
I maxed out all my cards to cover this trip, and I really can't afford to stay anywhere else.
Will
I can get you a discount on your room.
Kristen
You can? No, I'll be fine, I'm sure I can fend off any would be attackers with—
Will
I'm not having your blood on my hands. You'll be much better off in the new hotel, I promise you.
Kristen
Well, you aren't leaving me with much choice, are you?
Will
I guess not.
Will
I can switch your reservation for you.
Kristen
Here. All the info should be on my itinerary.
Will
Only 2 nights?
Kristen
Yes.
Will
Not leaving any time for sightseeing?
Kristen
No... this trip is more for... forget it. I don't want to talk about it.
Will takes your hotel info and in a minute your hotel is cancelled and a new room is booked.
Will
All set.
Kristen
Thanks. Again. This day is not turning out the way I planned.
Will
There’s something to be said for too much planning.
Kristen
I think that's part of the problem. This trip was a spur of the moment thing.
Your stomach picks this moment to rumble loudly.
Kristen
Oh my gosh. I was too nervous this morning to eat breakfast.
Will
Would you like to eat lunch with me?
Kristen
…
Will
After you get settled in your room?
Kristen
Sure.
Kristen
What the hell? Where are we?
The car pulls into a circular driveway and parks under a fancy canopied entranceway.
Will helps you out of the car, and the driver gives your suitcase to the doorman.
Kristen
Where's your suitcase?
Will
…
Kristen
You didn't have checked luggage?
Will
I, uh—I left it at the airport. It’ll be sent down later.
Will
Follow me. I'll show you to your room.
Kristen
Wait, Will, I don't understand. We didn't check in yet.
Will
Already taken care of.
Will
Come on, the elevator is this way.
Kristen
The penthouse level? Will, there's no way that I can afford—
Will
This is my hotel.
Kristen
You've got to be kidding me! This whole thing?
Kristen
I know you said you were in real estate, but I didn't expect this.
Will
This is your room.
Will
Here's your keycard.
Kristen
(Who are you?)
You insert the keycard and push the door open.
Kristen
Wow, look at this place. Either I'm dreaming… or I just turned into Cinderella?
Will
Does that make me your Fairy Godfather?
Kristen
…
Will
I’d much rather be your Prince Charming.
Kristen
…
Will
Call me when you're ready for lunch?
Kristen
Yes.
You walk into the opulent penthouse suite and look around. Your heart drops into your stomach.
Kristen
This place is bigger than my apartment. It even has a little stocked kitchen.
Kristen
(There's no way I can afford this room. Even with a discount.)
You pull out your cell phone to text your best friend Olivia Marino.
Kristen
Liv, I'm in so over my head.
Liv
What's going on, Kris?
Kristen
It's a long story…
Liv
Spill it.
You quickly relay the abbreviated version.
Liv
You did what?
Liv
Kris, what were you thinking?
Liv
You hopped in a car with a complete stranger?
Kristen
I know what I did, Liv. Save the lecture for later, will ya?
Kristen
You don't know how hot this guy is. He looks at you and all of a sudden you're agreeing to do anything!
Liv
You're exaggerating.
Liv
Who is this guy?
Kristen
Will.
Liv
Last name? Social security number?
Kristen
I never got his last name… but he owns this hotel.
Liv
Searching google for Will, hot, hotel owner.
Liv
Found him. Will Harris.
Liv
He's a popular boy. I just got a billion hits.
Kristen
Will Harris? Like King of the tabloids Will Harris?
Kristen
What am I going to do, Liv?
Liv
Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Kristen
That's real helpful. Gotta go.
Kristen
(Who are you Will Harris?)
Kristen
(Liv wasn't kidding about the billion hits.)
Kristen
(He's connected to an entire business empire. This hotel. Other hotels. Even the airline I was just on.)
Kristen
(He's got a supermodel on his arm in every picture. He could have any girl he wants.)
Kristen
(Oh my god. I'm staying in his hotel.)
Kristen
(What does he want with me? Will he expect… sex?)
Kristen
(What am I going to do?)
