Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Marco holds his hand out to me. "Let me see it." I hand it over and he taps his thumbs across the screen. "There."
"There?" Taking my phone back, I squint.
"I put my number in."
"In case I need to call you to save my ass again?" I giggle.
Wrapping his arm around my middle, Marco crushes me in a firm, possessive embrace. "Exactly."
The screen by the gate flashes our boarding numbers. I'm used to assisting First Class patrons, but not being one. As I follow Marco onto the plane I fidget anxiously. He reaches behind him, gripping my hand, giving me a squeeze. He isn't even looking at me, he can't see I'm nervous, but it's like he knows.
Flooding with warmth, I give his hand a light tug. We reach our seats; big, plush red chairs that lie back flat like beds. I've cleaned them up before, arranged them to have their package of complimentary headphones, thick blanket, and magazine waiting.
As I settle by the window, I check the area around my seat and––yup, the crew did a perfect job. I'll make a point to thank them, I think, looking down the aisle. It's filling with people all heading to their seats.
"Oh yes!" A female voice chirps nearby. "I'll bring you a mimosa right away."
Ah, there's a flight attendant. I twist in my seat and lift my head up over the top of the chair. I want to get a peek at the crew. The speaker from earlier is looking my way. Our eyes lock.
She goes pale.
I go pale.
"Sally?" I ask in disbelief. My former co-worker is working on the plane!
The color drains from her face. "Filia? What on earth are you doing here?" She notices Marco, as recognition blooms in her eyes.
"This is Marco," I answer quickly. "Remember him?"
"Yeah. I do. Why are you and him together?"
"We're..." Unsure how to explain, I twirl my hand in the air nervously. So much has happened, how to boil it all down for Sally?
Marco grips my shoulder gently. "We're dating," he says. His grin makes his eyes twinkle. "She's going to show me around LA when we land."
My heart races as Sally's gaze lingers. "That sounds lovely," she replies, emotionless.
Why is she being so cold?
"Sally, hey, while you're here, I wanted to talk about what happened with Drew."
"What about me?" Drew chirps, swinging up from behind. I turn around, catching his flicker of shock, then annoyance, at the sight of me. "Wow. Filia. Moving up in the world, hm?"
I grit my teeth. "You're here too. Great."
"It is great," he sneers. He sneaks a look at Marco beside me before facing Sally. "What was she telling you?"
"We were just catching up," I reply.
"Why?" Drew snorts. "Sally has better things to do than chat with a tainted former co-worker."
Grimacing, I look at Sally with a small, hopeful smile. "Ignore him, Sally. He can't stop us from talking. How are you, by the way? We haven't talked at all since––"
"Sorry, I actually have a lot of passengers to tend to," she blurts before turning away and heading down the aisle. Baffled, I watch her back as she moves further and further away. Drew chuckles cruelly before following her.
"I don't get it," I say under my breath. "Drew being a dick is one thing, but Sally has no reason to be mean to me."
"Hmm," Marco mumbles.
Shifting in my seat I study his thoughtful face. "What is it, what are you thinking?"
He hesitates, as if he isn't sure he wants to tell me. "The only reason an acquaintance would act like that is because they feel guilty or afraid."
"Afraid? Sally has nothing to be scared of with me!"
"Then..." He watches me closely. I'm sure he sees the confusion melt into disbelief across my features.
"No," I say firmly. "She didn't do anything to me. Drew did."
"Didn't you mention something about her offering to help you, then never following through?"
"Damn, good memory. But no, she probably just got tangled up in work. It's exhausting being a flight attendant."
"Maybe," he agrees softly.
I nod, but...my mind is racing. His comment is digging in its claws., I wish I could re-read the old text messages. They're on my destroyed phone, though. I flip my new phone over and over in my hands. What did she say again? That she would come meet me in the airport? And then she didn't. I could blame it on her getting called onto a new flight with little warning––it's happened to me in the past––but it doesn't feel right. If it was just that, why not text me later to apologize? To check on me?
"I think you're right," I whisper to Marco. My nails curl into my palms until they hurt my skin. I'm hunching over my knees, shrinking in my seat. "Why would Sally be involved in getting me fired, though? I thought she liked me."