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He’s saying this all with a tone as if part of him still believes it But if he did, then he wouldn’t be standing here now, flagging me down on a plane that’s about to leave

“And?” I ask

“And I rong,” he says si Clai to try and take Winston back based on her evidence of us being together, but I know she’s full of shit It’s been the same old story every year of poor Winston’s life But that’s not why I’m here Why I’m here is that I realize I oing to lead I know it’s early, that I could be totally s out of proportion This could be est mistake yet”

He heaves a deep breath

“But I know that the biggest mistake of all would be to let you leave on this plane without talking to you myself”

All I can do is nod at this point His words haven’t even begun to sink in A few e, who’d found the round trip flight last- to meet me a day later But now?

Clayton settles in the seat next to me He tucks a stray strand of hair behind ood squeeze

“I love these things, you know”

As if suddenly re why he’s here, he adds, “So will you stay?”

“I don’t know,” I say uncertainly, “I’o all alone”

Clayton thinks about this for a minute Then, he says, “Did I ever tell you I have a jet?”

“What exactly are you saying?” I ask, too nervous to even believe it could be true

“What I’ with decision, “I don’t knohat this is between you and ht now is just because of everything that’s happened between us so fast All I know is that when I spend tireat with Winston I want to see where this leads I don’t want to be denied the chance to explore what I have with the first wo as I can remember So…” he takes both my hands in his, “Stevie, will you acceptwith me, my mom and Winston, to Australia tos?”

His eyes probe athim Is he serious?