by Hudson Lin
“No, we’ve got it.” Vivian waved her away and put the brakes on before coming around to help her dad. He could walk fairly well on his own these days, but standing up and sitting down were difficult on his joints. “Marco, can you bring our stuff on board?”
“I’m on it.” Marco slipped past them with three carry-ons in tow.
Vivian steadied her dad, taking some of his weight as he struggled into a standing position. “Here’s your cane.” She made sure he had a good grip on it before moving away.
“Welcome aboard.” The flight attendant stood to the side as Tom shuffled onto the plane.
“Thank you! Will you be working in our section during the flight?” Tom asked, pausing for her answer before moving farther into the plane.
“Dad!”
The flight attendant chuckled good-naturedly. “We’ll see, sir. Maybe I can switch with someone.” She gave him a knowing nod before ushering him along.
“I’m so sorry,” Vivian whispered as she went past. If she had to apologize to every woman they encountered during this trip, she was going to stick a sock in her dad’s mouth.
By the time Tom and Vivian found their seats, Marco had already stashed their carry-ons and was in the process of helping another passenger stow hers. “Muchas gracias,” she said as Marco shoved it into place.
“De nada.” He gave her a polite nod and turned to Tom. “Uncle Tom, can I give you a hand?”
“Ah, Marco, what would I do without you?” Tom maneuvered himself into position and leaned into Marco as he eased into the seat.
“You’d have Vivian to help you.” Marco glanced up at her. “Just like you’ve had all along.”
“But who would help her?” Tom asked, chuckling.
Marco straightened and took one of Vivian’s hands in his. “She does perfectly fine on her own. I’m simply along for the ride.”
He squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back, letting the burden of planning the trip melt away under his touch. She could do it all on her own. But now she didn’t have to. They slipped into their seats next to Tom.
“I love you,” Marco whispered into her ear, his breath tickling her skin. “We’re going to have a great time. Thanks to you.”
“I love you too.” Vivian sighed and rested her head against his. “It’s weird being on a plane and not working.”
Marco chuckled, a rumbling that rolled through Vivian and warmed her soul. “Yeah, but you know what?”
“What?”
“It doesn’t matter, as long as I’m flying with you.”
Author's Note
Thank you for reading Fly With Me!
I spend a lot of time on airplanes and I’ve always wondered about the secret lives of the flight attendants. Sharply dressed, often with polite smiles, they manage to keep their cool when the passengers freak out. What’s going on under that polished exterior? I’m glad I got to weave my own little fantasy with Vivian and Marco!
A big thank you to Hilary Latimer for inspiring this little story. Shout outs to Hilary Latimer, Margrit Talpalaru, and Roberta Blablanski for being awesome beta readers. And my forever gratitude to Clementina for helping Marco speak Italian.
If you liked this book, please leave a review on Goodreads or wherever else you buy books online. You’ll have my deepest appreciation.
Also by Hudson Lin
Inside Darkness
Three Months to Forever
Stepping Out in Faith
Take Me Home
Lessons for a Lifetime (in the Teacher’s Pet Anthology)
Dare to Dream (in the Rogue Nights Anthology)
Between the Tension Series
Between the Push and Pull
Embracing the Tension
About the Author
Hudson Lin was raised by conservative immigrant parents and grew up straddling two cultures with ofttimes conflicting perspectives on life. Instead of conforming to either, she has sought to find a third way that brings together the positive elements of both.
Having spent much of her life on the outside looking in, Lin likes to write stories about outsiders who fight to carve out their place in society, and overcome everyday challenges to find love and happily ever afters. Her books are diverse romances that feature queer and disabled people of color.
When not engrossed in a story, Lin knits, drinks tea, and works the 9 to 5 in the beautiful city of Toronto, Canada.
Subscribe to her newsletter for information on new releases, visit her website (hudsonlin.com) for more of her writing and follow her on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
