Free Pink Lips by Andre D. Jones Page A

Philly would be their fresh start. Philly would be the beginning of their new lives.
    After passing through the security checkpoint, they settled in the waiting area.
    â€œG-15 is departing in fifteen minutes. G-15 is departing in fifteen minutes.” The speaker called out to let them know it was time to board after they had waited an hour in the uncomfortable blue connected chairs.
    After boarding, the flight attendant pointed toward first-class as Kail and Willow located their plush seats.
    â€œWould you ladies care for something to drink?” she asked with a smile.
    â€œSomething strong.” Kail yawned as she leaned back into her neck pillow that she had brought on the plane.
    â€œAnd, for you?” the same flight attendant asked.
    â€œShe’ll have Grand Marnier,” a voice interrupted from behind.
    Willow turned her head as Craig walked into first-class, his eyes locked on her. She smiled on the inside, never changing her facial expression. She eyed him as the sound of the Timberlands stomping on his feet got closer and closer. She basked in his scent as he took the seat across from her. His smooth, dark Egyptian-like skin shined as he made himself comfortable for the eight-hour flight.
    â€œNow if I recall, you said if we ever met again in life, it was a date.” Craig smiled at Willow. “So what’s up, shorty?”
    â€œI said that had it been a coincidence, but it seems like you’re stalking me.”
    â€œStalking? Girl, I am Philadelphia. What you know about my city?” Craig asked as he looked at the flight attendant. “I’ll have—”
    â€œHennessy,” Willow finished his sentence.
    â€œYou remembered?”
    â€œI have the mind of an elephant, Craig.” She looked at Kail, who was now snoring. “I remember everything.”
    â€œI see.” He looked past Willow. “Damn, shorty cuttin’ up.” He laughed.
    â€œHey, now leave my baby sister alone.” Willow chuckled. “She’s tired; we had a very long day.”
    The sound of the captain advising everyone to fasten their seatbelts over the intercom interrupted their conversation. Willow could hear the engines start to roar as she got pushed gently back in her seat as the plane accelerated to over 140 miles per hour.
    When the plane lifted in the air, she could feel a slightly different push against her seat since the plane was accelerating forward but also upward. After a minute, the engines started to quiet down and slowly level off.
    Willow watched out the window as the plane started to reach its altitude. She wanted to lie back and relax, but knew she couldn’t with Craig sitting across from her and Kail snoring next to her.
    Craig was not paying attention to her at the moment. He was playing with his sunglasses that hung from his shirt’s front pocket. He was waiting for the plane to get up in the clouds. He loved the view of the beautiful sky. When Willow took a deep breath and looked out the window again, they were high in the sky, and she could see what had silenced Craig. Her breath was taken away.
    â€œThis view is relaxing,” Craig said. “It gives you a reason to take yo’ mind off that other bullshit.”
    â€œI know what you mean, and right now I need something to clear my mind,” Willow said as she continued to gaze out of the window.
    â€œWhat could be pressing a woman like you who seems to have it all?” he asked.
    â€œI told you earlier that you’d be surprised about the life that I live.”
    â€œYou’d feel the same way about me,” Craig assured. “Damn, I wish I had some Mary Jane right now.”
    â€œYou got a rillo?” Willow raised her eyebrow at him.
    â€œStraight up.” He looked at her. “If you about to ask me what I think you’re about to ask me, you truly are a completely different shorty than what I thought.”
    â€œI told you.” Willow pulled