Boston greeted Avery with cool skies and quiet streets, the kind of early spring day that still whispered winter in the wind. She stood in front of the Boston Aviation Institute, the letter folded neatly in her bag, her breath forming little clouds as she stared up at the polished glass entrance.

This was it.

The dream she'd chased since she first touched the yoke of a plane. A future full of structure, stability, and prestige. The version of her life she'd imagined before Ethan Bradford crashed into it mid-flight.

She took a breath—and stepped inside.

Interview Room – 11:30 AM

Avery sat across from two members of the board, her flight credentials stacked neatly in front of her.

"You come highly recommended," said Director Sinclair. "Your flight record is exceptional, and your leadership skills are exactly what we're looking for."

"Thank you," she said, sitting a little straighter.

"But we want to know... why now? You've been in the air for years. Why are you ready to come back down?"

Avery hesitated.

A week ago, the answer would've come easy.

But now?

She thought of Lila's porch swing. The way Ethan's eyes softened when she laughed. The quiet nights by the fire. The truth was... she wasn't sure she wanted to land. Not yet.

"I thought I knew exactly what I wanted," she said slowly. "But lately... I've realized flying isn't just my job. It's part of who I am. And maybe I'm not ready to stop discovering what's out there. Or who I'm becoming while I'm up there."

The panel exchanged a glance.

"I'm honored," she added sincerely. "But I don't think I'm the right fit. Not right now."

They nodded respectfully.

And just like that—Avery Monroe walked away from the dream she'd chased for over a decade.

Because something else—someone—was worth chasing now.

Outside the Institute – One Hour Later

Snow had started falling, soft and slow, dusting her coat and lashes as Avery stepped out into the quiet Boston afternoon.

She turned the corner—and stopped cold.

Standing beside a silver SUV, holding a cup of her favorite Vermont maple latte, was Ethan Bradford.

Wearing that same slightly-wrinkled charm and a hopeful smile.

"You're supposed to be in Chicago," she said, stunned.

"I was," he said. "But I booked a flight."

She raised a brow. "Commercial?"

He grinned. "First class. It was brutal."

She laughed, stepping toward him. "What are you doing here?"

"I figured if you were about to choose your future... I wanted to be part of the conversation."

She blinked. "What if I said yes to the job?"

"Then I'd look for a jet charter company in Boston," he said easily. "Maybe open a branch office. Eat terrible clam chowder for a while."

"And if I said no?"

"Then I'd ask you to keep flying—with me."

Her breath caught.

"Not just in the air," he added softly. "In everything. I've built a lot of things in my life, Avery. Companies. Empires. But you... you make me want to build something real. Something that feels like home."

Her eyes shimmered. "You are unreasonably good at this."

He stepped closer. "Only when it's the truth."

She reached for his hand, their fingers locking like two puzzle pieces that had finally found where they belonged.

"I didn't take the job," she said.

His brows lifted. "No?"

She shook her head, smiling. "I'm not done flying yet."

He laughed, drawing her into his arms, the snow swirling around them like a movie scene come to life.

FLASHBACK – AVERY, AGE 7
Paper Plane on a Hilltop – Vermont

She threw the plane, and it soared. Lila clapped, and Avery grinned.

"One day, I'll fly for real," she said.

"Where will you go?" Lila asked.

She thought for a second. "Wherever my heart takes me."

BACK TO PRESENT – Ethan's SUV, Boston

They drove through the snowy city with music low and fingers entwined.

Not every love story needed a landing strip.

Some took off... and never looked back.

ONE WEEK LATER – SMALL AIRFIELD IN VERMONT

The sun rose over the rolling green hills. Lila waved from the farmhouse porch as the sleek silver jet warmed up.

Avery stood in front of it, her leather jacket zipped, Ethan beside her in matching aviators.

"You ready?" he asked.

She smiled. "You know what they say..."

"What?"

"Love is just another kind of flight."

He grinned. "Then I'm never touching the ground again."

They stepped into the cockpit together.

Co-pilots. Partners.

Hearts in the sky.

Forever flying.