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)
He slips his hand around mine in my lap. "It's an awful feeling when people we think care about us end up hurting us. Believe me, I know."
Some of the tension in my body evaporates. "Any tips for moving forward?"
"Well, what worked for me was getting revenge." His grin tilts higher at one corner. "I can help you with that."
He's serious. The plane jostles as we leave the gate and move along the tarmac. Turning to look forward, I watch as Sally begins the safety demonstrations. She's beaming happily as she pokes the display belt into its slot. "I need to talk to her and get answers."
"That part is easy." Marco pulls me against his hard shoulder. He smells like cinnamon. "She's trapped here with you for nine hours."
"True," I laugh miserably. Determined to get out of the negative head space I push my weight against Marco. "You smell good, by the way."
"Thank god for that."
Okay––that time my laugh was a real one.
Chapter Twenty
Sally tries to avoid me all flight. When beverage service comes through, I'm not surprised to see Drew running it. He plasters a fake smile on as he hands Marco the beer he ordered, and then pours me the mimosa I asked for.
"Here you go––whoops!" he gasps, dropping the plastic cup onto my shirt.
"Oh!" I cry out, wiping at my soaked clothing.
"I'm so sorry! What sort of clutz spills a drink on a passenger?" Drew asks. His eyes are big and wide. A total performance.
"You did that on purpose," Marco growls.
"I'd never! Sir, I am a professional!"
Marco passes me his little napkin square then reaches out a hand to Drew. "More napkins. Now."
"Sorry, sorry, I'm all out! What awful timing, right?" Drew sighs. He gives me a little smile. "You'll live."
"What the hell is your problem with me?" I demand. "It's bad enough you got me fired! Now this?"
"Getting you fired was never about you, Filia." Wrinkling his nose, he shoves the cart up the aisle, away from us. "Excuse me, I'm very busy."
My whole head is buzzing. "I don't understand."
"Neither do I," Marco snaps. He stands up in the aisle.
"Wait, where are you going?"
"I can't sit here after what he did to you. I refuse."
"No! Not here!" I beg, holding his wrist with both hands. His whole body is tight as a fishing line. "Marco, confronting him won't help!"
He seethes quietly. Passengers are staring; Marco strikes quite an image as he breathes heavily in the aisle. He fills the space and his energy fills the whole damn plane.
"Fine," he whispers, dropping down beside me.
I let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you."
Marco stares angrily at Drew. Drew is oblivious as he pours water for a young woman. "I need a favor."
"What?"
"Let me sit by the window. If he comes too close, I don't know that I can resist snatching his pencil-neck and choking him out until he apologizes to you."
My face flushes with a mix of unease and...pride. It’s nice to be with someone so eager to defend me. We shift apart so he can take my seat and I have the aisle. Just then the plane jostles. "Oh!"
"Careful now." Sally is at my side; she grips my shoulders to keep me from falling over.
I give her a grateful smile. "Thanks. You'd think I'd be better prepared for turbulence."
Her smiles fades away as she releases me. "Okay, well, I've got to bring a hot towel to a gentleman in section F, so..." She tries to squeeze by me.
I spread my feet to stabilize myself and block her. "Sally, wait, we need to talk."
"About what?" She won't look me in the eye.
"About me getting fired! About you saying you'd come help me and never showing up or calling to tell me what happened!"
"Nothing happened. I don't know what you mean."
"Sally!" Gripping her upper arms, I work to make her look at me. "Aren't we friends?"
She says nothing.
My chest tightens, my eyes get hot, but I press on. "Even if we're not friends, what's stopping you from telling me what happened that day?"
"I..." Her head angles towards me.. "Filia, I can't. It'll get worse for me if I do."
"What––"
"Sally!" Drew snips. She stiffens under my hands. We both turn to see Drew at the front of the aisle, his face screwed up in annoyance. "Sally, stop playing around. There's work to do."
Sally doesn't hesitate, she pushes me away, hurrying towards Drew. I snatch at her wrist and miss. "Sally, wait!"
"I'm sorry." She whispers it so soft I almost mistake it for the air coming from the air conditioning vents. Then she's too far for me to respond.
I'm spacing out as I sit back in my seat. Marco brushes his fingers over my knee. "Filia..."
"He's done something," I say. Anger enters my tone. "Drew has something over her. Sally has never acted like he was her boss before. Something is up."