When You Know, You Know

Light chatter filled the space, momentarily easing the nervous feeling that had been chipping away at the calmness that Honesty had managed to master in the past. The pull of gravity from the plane's take-off had only manipulated her fear more than what she was ready to admit. Beads of sweat began to form at the lining of her forehead as she desperately dug into the contents of her carry-on. She could feel a tension headache beginning to penetrate as ominous thoughts squirmed at the back of her mind.

"Where did they go? I know I packed them," she spoke aloud to no one.

Thinking back, Honesty realized that she'd left her earbuds on her bedroom dresser after talking with her mom. She swore by her "flying pack," which consisted of earbuds, a satin sleep mask, two shot sized bottles of vodka, and her tried and trusted melatonin. She began doing the next best thing; Breathing exercises that she'd learned from a co worker who confided in her that she too suffered from anxiety. "Inhale through the nose, hold five seconds. Now exhale from the mouth." She recited out loud, remembering word from word of what Tracy said and how it helped her before. But as panic rose, it manipulated her focus, causing everything before her eyes to blur. "Breathe, Honesty... Breathe, Honesty... Just friggin breathe." She fussed.

"First time flying?" A husky voice slices through the thickness of Honesty's ongoing meltdown.

"No, third." She tersely answers without looking in the direction from which the voice had come from. With that answer, she'd expected the stranger to leave her alone but he'd done just the opposite. He sat beside her and offered a brown paper bag.

"Here, use this. It helps more than you'd think."

Honesty looked over for the first time as she grabbed the paper bag from his extended hand, making direct eye contact with him. The tips of their fingers barely touched but both felt a tingling sensation that ignited something much deeper than lust. His deep, honey brown eyes was full of mystery; a mystery that Honesty wanted to explore. His chiseled jawline and full plum colored lips only ignited a torch that only he could put out. His deep dimples showed even with the slightest smile.

"The name's Dante, by the way." He introduced himself while smiling. Honesty had momentarily become speechless as she allowed him to help place the paper bag over her mouth. "Now I want you to inhale and exhale into the bag, steady deep breaths. Take your time, no need to rush. Dante instructed with ease.

There was no mistaking that he too was enamored by her just as much as she was with him. The air between them offered an magnetic pull that neither could ignore. 'I wonder if this is the warm fuzzy feeling that Amber talk about. When you know, you know.' Honesty thought to herself.

"Aren't you working? Wouldn't you get in trouble for sitting with me?" She asked. "For you, I'll take my chances." He answered; his eyes drinking her and full of promise. Her heart hammered in her chest, all she could think about was the 18 hours that she has on the plane with him.

So, what do you do for a living?" Dante asked.

"I'm a columnist in New York."

"That's really interesting. You know, I pegged you for a writer or a photographer." Dante admits.

Honesty giggled at what he said. "You pegged me for either a writer or photographer? What made you think those things? I mean, what gave me away?" She asked.

"The way you carry yourself. The way you observe your surroundings and silently critique. The way you pay close attention to detail and tilt your head for a better angle." He explained in a way that captivated Honesty's attention the moment the words left his mouth.

"And you learned all of that about me in only 10 minutes?" Honesty challenged.

"Well sure I did. I mean who wouldn't pay attention to the most beautiful person in the world? If it takes me this entire flight to learn you then that's what I'll be doing."

"As a writer, what would you write about me?" He continued, lowering his voice.

"Hmm... I would write about that sultry, southern drawl of yours. The way confidence ooze from you. And of course the way you look at me like I'm the only woman in the world." Honesty flirts as she stare from beneath her lashes.

Dante then held Honesty's hands in his while turning to her. "I hope I'm able to take away all the fear you have of flying tonight. And I hope we can know one another after this flight."

"How do I know if this is foreal, Dante?"

Honesty asked as a bout of doubt crept in. She never believed in love at first sight and had always thought of it as a fairy tail. Her heart hammered in her chest as warmth filled every inch of her body. Maybe it was fear mixed with want. Whatever it was that was tugging at her was warming her heart to the idea.

"Because I'm no liar. I'm true to my heart. And when you know, you know." Dante spoke with passion.

The two of them chatted for hours before sleep would take over. Honesty laid in his arms , collecting his warmth and counting his heartbeat. She'd known the moment that he said the words that her sister have always said 'when you know, you know,' that she was looking forward to a future with him in it.

He'd woke up an hour before the flight would end only to find Honesty staring out of the window into the barely blue clouds, lost in thought. He cleared his throat before reaching for her hand. A single tear escaped her eye as she turned to face him. His hand automatically wiped her tear away as he whispered, "Please give me a chance, Honesty and I'll show you."

His gentle touch and soft whispered words slowed her heavy breathing and quickened her heartbeat as they stared deeply into one another's eyes. The electricity between them intensified as they both slowly leaned in to one another, giving in to the building desire. Their lips collided; the kiss was sensual, electrifying. It deepened as both could feel a love so strong that not even doubt could stop them. It's full of promise and neither want it to end.

They both pulled away panting, momentarily lost in each other, pupils dilated, speaking a language of their own.

"Please take this, baby." Dante murmured as he placed a silver ring centered by a pearl on her finger.

She sighed, not sure how to answer but did so by nodding and smiling.

"This ring is my promise to come back for you and ask for your hand in marriage." Dante stated just before kissing the soft of her knuckle.

When the plane landed, Honesty kissed him once more before walking away, hoping that he would come back for her. It was the first time that her sister's words truly wrapped around her thoughts. And she knew that she would wait for Dante's return.

When you know, you know