"Is there anything I can get you, Miss?" our flight attendant asked.
Being that I was a VIP on a private jet, I could probably ask for anything, but I wasn't familiar with this lifestyle. I had been invited on a ski trip to Glenwood Springs by my best friend from high school. Rachel wanted to celebrate our 10-year high school reunion with something special. "Create a memory to last us the next ten years!" she exclaimed when she pitched the idea to me earlier this year. Luckily, her husband, Dan was eager to bankroll the whole trip. He always had a hard time saying no to her.
Rachel and I had been friends since 6th grade. She would never marry a man for money, but it didn't hurt when her high school sweetheart's tech company got bought out for $500 million. We were all new to this, and a private jet to Colorado seemed like the perfect way to celebrate.
I thought for a few seconds and decided to just go for it.
I looked up at the flight attendant and responded: "I would love to see the cockpit and meet the pilot". I paused. "If possible".
As the words escaped my mouth, I could see the wheels in her head spinning.
"I'll be right back" she whispered, with a wink.
I stood at the cockpit doorway, looking in at two men and a vast array of buttons and lights. The beautiful blue sky filled the window ahead of them, so still that it looked like a painting. Up this high, you could see the arc of the Earth. The view was breathtaking.
I cleared my throat. "Um, hi. I was told I could come in and take a look?" I was very nervous. "I've always been interested in planes and I... this is just a really cool opportunity" My breath was shallow and my voice was increasingly getting higher pitched. "Stay calm," I told myself.
The pilot and the co-pilot turned around to greet me. The pilot scanned me up and down with his eyes, noticing my slim physique and long legs. It felt like an eternity but the pilot finally responded. "Yes! Come on in! My name is Jared, what's your name?"
"Emily" I responded as I stepped into the cockpit. "It's nice to meet you".
I was taken aback by the pilot's smile. He grinned ear to ear showing his bright white teeth. He was younger than I expected and strikingly handsome. His deep hazel green eyes were complimented by tufts of strawberry blond hair, coiffed into a perfect crew cut. Between his cool attitude and shirt and tie, adorned with his well-earned bars, I could tell he was a confident guy. His personality was welcoming and my guard was taken down immediately.
"Have you ever flown a plane before?" He asked with a slight eyebrow raise. He knew the answer but asked the question anyway.
"Well I, not really...' I started.
"It's really simple actually. Come over here" he ushered me with his hands and patted on his lap as to say I should take a seat.