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)
I take a deep breath as I reach him, while he eyes me curiously. I pause and smile at him before saying, "Can I get you anything, sir?"
His lips quirk up in a small smile. "Actually, I was wondering if I could get a little company. It's a long flight, and I'm afraid I'll bore myself to death."
My pulse isn't racing it's sprinting. "Oh, um, I can't––not while I'm working, I mean––"
His laugh is a full baritone. All humor, no malice. "I'm joking. I know you're on the clock." His eyes twinkle as he focuses on me with fresh intent. "If you weren't working, would you have said yes?"
Heat rising in my cheeks and my thighs turn to jelly as I meet his gaze. "Maybe," I say softly. "Sadly, it’s just not something I’m allowed to do. As enjoyable as it might be, it’s impossible.."
He leans in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "It's fun to imagine the impossible."
My heart skips a beat. This handsome, intriguing stranger is flirting with me. And I have to admit, the idea of spending time with him in Rome is incredibly tempting. But I have a job to do, and I can't let myself be distracted.
"I appreciate the offer," I say, forcing myself to step back. "But I really should get back to work."
He nods, still smiling. "Of course. I'll see you around."
As I continue with the beverage service, my mind is racing. What does he want with me? Is he just looking for a casual fling, or is he interested in something more?
Imagine the impossible...
That's not something I do. I never have. But maybe I’ve been paying too much attention to the safety instructions of life.
With just a few quick words and a couple of lingering smiles,Marco has me wondering if, just if I was given the option to get off this plane and explore Rome with him...
Would I say yes?
Chapter Two
It's a long flight, but uneventful. I guess all the exciting stuff was front loaded to the start of the trip. Drew blocks me from First Class after beverage service, and Sally and I end up handling Coach in shifts. I even manage to take a nap on my break. Do I dream about a certain beefy gray-eyed man who smells like an ocean breeze?
Yeah. I do.
When we finally land in Rome, I can't help but feel a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend more time with Marco. But what would we have even talked about? He probably travels often and I'm a flight attendant, but it's not been my job for long. I don't have tons of stories to tell. Not like Drew, who can't help but find opportunities to deluge me and Sally with tales from his travels. He's been flying for enough years that he gets numerous vacation days. That's what I'm holding out for. The perks of being a flight attendant begin after the first year, and I am oh so, so close.
As the passengers disembark, I help people with their luggage and say goodbye. When the plane is just about empty, except for a few stragglers, Marco appears in front of me. He’s standing so close and I tilt my head back to take in all of him. His eyes, that grin. I wish we’d never landed.
"Here," he says, holding out a business card. "In case you have some time while you’re here."
I take the card, my heart racing and my cheeks warm. "Thank you," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I appreciate it."
He smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Take care, Filia. Maybe we'll see each other again someday.”
And then he's gone, disappearing into the crowd of travelers. I stand there for a moment, a little dazed. Part of me wants to run after him, to see his expression when I surprize him and tell him I’d like to see him again. But I don’t. It wouldn’t be appropriate behavior for a flight attendant to go running after a client.
I snap out of my cyclone of thoughts to help an older woman who needs a wheelchair to descend the ramp. I'm rolling her down to the gatewhen I spot Drew. He's talking to someone on his cellphone. When he notices me, he lets loose a sharp smirk.
My gut drops to my heels.
What was that about?
I try to shake off the uneasy feeling Drew's smirk has given me as I help the woman to bag-check. But the thought of Drew plotting against me remains stuck in my mind.
"Thank you so much for helping me," the older woman says. "You know, I haven't been back to Rome in twenty years."
I smile as she pulls me out of my negative thoughts. "What brings you back?"
A faraway look creates clouds in her light-brown eyes. "I'm celebrating my late husband's and my anniversary. He grew up here, and used to visit together often. He loved showing me all of his favorite places, taking me for amazing meals.”