“When?” Annie asked, narrowing her eyes at him. “You’re so busy today.”
Kip smiled. “You know as well as I do I have nothing planned today except spend it with you and working on the book.”
“So you told two lies to the police?” Annie asked.
“Two? No, just that one.” Kip said.
“No, you told another, too.”
“What other lie?” Kip asked.
Annie shoved herself off of the door jam and uncrossed her arms. “The one about us being on a date.”
Kip looked at her questioningly.
“That was no date, Kip. You found me by chance at the bar. Real dates are planned,” Annie said.
“Ah.” Kip said. “That lie.”
“Yes, that lie.”
Kip smiled. “Okay Annie. So, if I take you on a real date, will that make you happy?”
“Well, Kip, you did screw me last night like I’ve never been screwed before,” she said. “And I broke my rule about dating rock stars.”
“Your fake rule,” Kip corrected her. Annie smiled. God, she is beautiful. “And besides, you broke your fake rule, Annie, not me. I just participated. But I’ll tell you what. I am a traditionalist. I slept with you before I even took you on a real date. And I know I owe you one. So let’s go.”
“What? Now?” Annie asked.
“Yeah, Now. What, you’re busy?” Kip asked sarcastically.
Annie crossed her arms again.
Annie adjusted the Sennheiser earphones on her head again, and the helicopter lifted off from the ground. Kip gave her a quick smile. Annie gripped the arms of the bucket chair she sat in. Her knuckles turned white. She could hear the sound of the engine through her headphones, but mostly she just heard static and the perfectly timed beep of the sound system. Kip adjusted his microphone and spoke into it.
“So, is this the first time you’ve flown?” Kip asked through the static.
Annie blushed. “Not the first time I’ve flown. But the first time it has been in something without wings. Never been in a helicopter before.” She spoke loudly. Trying to be heard over the roar of the engine, which was just over her head.
“You don’t have to yell, Annie,” Kip said. “Try to relax. I can hear just fine over the headphones. Just enjoy the view!”
Annie tried to smile. “Not the idea I had when it came to a date!” Annie said again, too loud.
“Believe me you’re never going to forget this date.” Kip said into his mic.
Annie nodded and tried to smile again then she looked out of the window at her side, and took in the landscape growing ever smaller below her. She’d seem New York City before from the window of an airplane, but never like this, she had to admit, despite her anxiousness.
“Hanging By The Moment” By Lifehouse
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She let the hum of the engine over her head vibrate inside, until she was able to push it back, so that now the hiss in the headphones was the prominent noise in her ears. The helicopter engine was now just a droll beat in her skull and spine. She took another deep breath and picked up the scent of leather polish, no doubt used on the luxurious seats they were now sitting in. Then she noticed a faint hint of Kip’s cologne he’d put on earlier before they left the hotel room. It was drizzling rain when they left the hotel and waited for the taxi, soaking them, so Annie was surprised to still be able to smell it on him. She breathed deeper.
Then she opened her eyes to find him looking into them. He had a slight grin on his face. He nodded to her and raised his eyebrows questioningly. “That better?” echoed into her ears.
Annie smiled and nodded back, and then she turned and looked out of the window. Mist was collecting on the glass, and when it ran down it made tracks, distorting the view. But what a view it was. They had taken off from atop the McNamara building. The entire roof was a heliport for Sampson Flight, Inc. The company offered tours over the city or you could charter a flight to anywhere in New England. Annie was amazed at how quickly Kip was able to get reservations and get them both on board. In fact, she wasn’t really sure he made reservations. She didn’t remember seeing him on the phone at all since he’d decided to take her out on a real date. A quick shower for each of them and they were out the door. Yet, when they’d arrived, he simply went to the desk and talked to the woman behind it. Within minutes, they were on the helicopter and buckling up while the engine whirled to life. Amazingly efficient.
Annie watched as the lights of the city grew smaller and yet larger all at the same time. The city was huge. And the higher they ascended, the more could be taken in. The traffic below showed as white lights and red lights. Annie was amazed at how crowded the streets really were in New York when viewed from above like this, especially since she knew no one who drove. It made her world seem so small.