by Dori Lavelle
But I can’t do that. Things between us ended very badly. There is no going back now.
I pull in a few deep breaths as I wait for the flight attendant to bring me my water. Then a vision appears before my eyes again. It’s him, the man I saw earlier. He has just entered the plane. Since I’m sitting at the front of my row, he sees me immediately. At first, I think he’ll approach me, but he takes a seat in first class, moments before a flight attendant closes the curtain that separates the first and economy classes.
“Your water, ma’am,” the woman attending to me appears at my side. “Let me know if you need anything else. We’ll be taking off shortly. Enjoy your flight.”
“Thanks.” I curl my fingers tight around my glass and drain it. Another flight attendant picks up the empty glass on his way to the galley.
Soon after, the safety instructions are shared with us. Then it’s takeoff time. Even though my stomach does a flip when the plane lifts into the sky and my hands clutch the armrests, my mind is distracted by thoughts of the handsome stranger. It’s been a while since a man made my heart turn over.
My last relationship ended a year and a half ago.
I really cared for Steve, a doctor in Misty Cove who I’ve known since childhood, and we dated for five years, but I always felt there was something missing. Maybe that’s the reason why I prioritized my work instead of our relationship. He had been so heartbroken when we were over that I couldn’t bring myself to do something like that to anyone else. Of course, my mother never stops reminding me that I’m almost thirty-five and my biological clock is ticking.
After thirty minutes in the sky, I start to relax. Maybe this flying thing isn’t that bad after all. In my moment of calm, I watch the flight attendants doing their jobs. It could be me one day. As soon as I get back to the US, I’ll get whatever training I need to make my dream come true. I can definitely do this.
My relief and excitement is short-lived. A scream rips out of me when the plane suddenly jolts and dips several times. It’s just a little turbulence, they say, but it’s too late. My fear has returned with a vengeance.
Once things calm down again, one of the flight attendants comes to me.
“Ma’am, I was instructed to move you to another seat.”
“Why?” Humiliation floods my cheeks. Maybe it’s because I’m the only one who freaked out during the turbulence. “Did someone complain about—”
“No, not at all.” The woman smiles. Her teeth are so perfect, they look unreal. “I was just told to move you to first class.”
My eyebrows squish together. “By whom?”
“The gentleman over there.” The flight attendant points in the direction of the first class section.
The curtain is open and the handsome stranger is standing in the aisle. He gives me a smile that makes me forget how to breathe.
Who in their right mind would resist such an offer?
“Here’s your champagne, ma’am.” The flight attendant hands me a glass of bubbly.
“Thank you,” I say in a strained voice, then turn to Mr. Handsome, who’s sitting to my left. Before I say a word, he nods lightly and opens a copy of the Financial Times.
Before leaving me to settle into the luxury of first class, the attendant hands me a hot towel as well. “I wish you a comfortable flight.”
Left alone, I can’t get my eyes off the stranger. He’s acting as though he hasn’t gifted me a seat that cost him quite a chunk of money.
Our teal and cream, hand-stitched leather and suede seats are separated by a polished oak island with hidden storage compartments for chargers and tablets.
In an attempt to rid myself of some nervous energy, I take several sips of champagne while gazing at my twenty-three-inch flat screen TV. Never in a million years have I ever thought I’d fly in first class. Surrounded by all the luxury, my fear of flying takes a back burner for now.
Unsure what to do with myself, I turn to look at the man again, my eyes taking in his strong, slightly square jaw and the stubble on his cheek. Something flutters inside my belly. His closeness makes my senses spin.
“You’re staring,” he says in a deep voice, speaking to me for the first time.
“I...Sorry. I don’t mean to,” I say softly.
“I don’t mind.” He lowers his newspaper and gives me a slow arresting smile that triggers a dimple in his right cheek.
“Oh,” I say, caught off guard by his response.
“I don’t mind if you stare as long as you don’t mind me doing the same.”
Warmth floods my cheeks as I lower my gaze. “All right, then.”
My skin prickles as his gaze caresses the side of my face.
“Where are you flying to?” he asks. “Is Frankfurt your final destination?”
I meet his eyes again. “No. I’m going to Athens. I’m taking a connecting flight from Frankfurt. I’ve always wanted to see Greece.” Did I really have to tell him all that? “How about you?”
“I’m going where the wings take me.” His dark eyes don’t leave mine.
“I don’t understand,” I say. “You mean you have no specific destination?”
“Not really.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I love flying. I don’t care where the adventure takes me.”
“Okay. That’s interesting.” I pause. “Why did you offer me a seat in first class?”
“I’ve flown often enough to know when someone is terrified of flying.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. Comfort is a great way to combat fear.”
I glance out the tiny window, then back at him. “I’m sure there are several people on this plane who are terrified of flying. You didn’t invite them to first class.”
“No, I didn’t.” He chuckles. “May I know your name?”
I hesitate before answering. “Ava.”
“I’m Carter.” He rests his arm on the division between us and leans closer. “Feel free to call what I did a random act of kindness.”
“I find that hard to believe.” A smile takes over my face.
“Fine.” He leans back. “It’s not entirely the truth.”
“And what is the truth?”
He picks up a glass of water and takes a gulp. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
“Try me.” To be honest, I’m intrigued by the man. I have never felt more comfortable around a stranger.
“I just have a feeling that—”
He’s cut off by the announcement that all passengers should fasten their seatbelts. Not long after, the plane is rocked again by turbulence.
I don’t have to fasten mine as it’s already tight around my body. But every time the plane jolts, my stomach plummets. My wild gaze moves to Carter just as the plane takes a deep dive.
He reaches out his hand. “Take my hand.”
I wet my parched lips, my heart pounding hard. When I don’t accept his offer, he takes my hand without my permission. My fingers curl involuntarily around his.
“You’ll be fine. Just hold on to me. A little turbulence,” he says with an assuring smile. “That’s all it is.”
“That’s all it is,” I repeat in a strangled whisper. Something about his manner soothes me.
When the turbulence passes and my heart calms down, the most amazing dinner is served and Carter and I eat without talking.
Long after he let me go, I can still feel the touch of his hand around mine.
He only speaks again after dessert is served.
“Before the turbulence I was about to tell you something.”
“Yes.” I hold my breath, my entire being vibrating with expectation.
“The truth is, I wanted you near me. You might think it’s crazy, but I have a feeling we were meant to meet.”
I part my lips to speak, but no words come out. Why am I not freaked out right now? A stranger has just told me he wants me to be near him. Shouldn’t I get up and leave before something even crazier happens? But something is keeping me
here, a force I have no control over. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say a word. Let’s just wait and see what happens next.” He reclines his seat to a bed and closes his eyes. “Goodnight, Ava.”
“Goodnight...goodnight, Carter.” As soon as he closes his eyes, fear grips my spine. When his gaze was on me, I felt strangely safe, as though nothing bad could ever happen to me. Being focused on him almost made me forget I was in the sky. Now he’s falling asleep and I’m free to think of all the horrors of flying my mother fed me my entire life.
When most of the lights go out and other passengers prepare to sleep, I shut my own eyes, squeezing them so tight my eyeballs ache. Then I pretend I’m not flying at all, that I’m inside my own sitting room. I finally fool my mind into believing the lie and fall asleep.
I dream of Carter’s lips on mine.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but there’s nothing I can do about the delay.” The woman at the check-in counter peers at me through her round glasses. “Unfortunately, most flights have been affected by the bad weather.”
“I know.” I glance out the nearest window before returning my gaze back to the woman. “Can you maybe guess when the next flight might be?”
Not long after we landed in Frankfurt, and I shed a few tears of relief that we had landed safely, it started to pour. The kind of rain that’s accompanied by rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightning.
I was supposed to spend only an hour in Frankfurt before taking my connecting flight to Athens, but it’s been three hours now, and the rain shows no sign of giving up.
The woman shakes her head. “We will notify everyone as soon as there are changes.”
The passenger behind me groans. I understand her frustration. The wait is killing me. I’m exhausted, hungry, and in desperate need of a shower.
“Thank you,” I say and turn away to continue the long wait. As I had been doing since we parted, I search the crowd of people for Carter’s face. My heart sinks when I don’t find him.
Since we landed in Frankfurt, I’ve been unable to stop thinking of him, his smile, the way his hand had felt when it held mine, the scent of his cologne that reminded me of freshly cut grass, pine trees, and wild flowers. In my mind, I can still hear every word he said to me. Did I make a mistake by walking away?
A few minutes before we landed in Frankfurt, I had come to my senses and distanced myself from him. He was a stranger and I had been acting as though we knew each other. I’m a woman traveling alone. Even though he didn’t look dangerous, I have to be careful.
So, I did what any responsible woman would do. I thanked him for his kindness and said goodbye, even if the last words I said to him made me feel as though a hole had been punched into the center of my heart. A shadow of disappointment had crossed his features, but only for a heartbeat before he reached for my hand to write his phone number in my palm. “Call me if you want to find out how this story ends.”
“Okay,” I said, but I didn’t plan on ever getting in touch. As much as I was drawn to him, I was also terrified of my own feelings. He made me feel like I’m not in control of my emotions.
After a quick handshake, I walked off the plane and didn’t see him again. Secretly, I keep hoping to turn around and find him standing there, but it seems he’s gone, and I can’t help feeling empty inside.
After waiting another hour, moving from café to café and restaurant to restaurant, the weather is still raging outside. I return to the counter only to be told that my flight will be ready to board in six hours.
Six hours?
I hate having to wait for so long, but maybe it’s for the best. What’s the alternative? Flying in a storm would be dangerous.
Feeling drained, I buy a novel and some newspapers from one of the stores. I make myself at home in another café.
After sitting for half an hour, too tired to read, sleep starts to sneak up on me. I drink more coffee and rub my eyes to stay awake, but I fall asleep anyway without planning to. My head snaps up and my eyes fly open when someone taps me on the shoulder.
Through the hazy blur in my eyes, the face of the man I never thought I’d see again comes slowly into focus.
“Carter?” I croak, emotion causing my throat to close up. I’ve known the man for less than a day, but my heart missed him.
“Come with me,” he says, helping me to my feet.
“Where...where are you taking me?” At his touch, a quiver ripples through my veins.
“I booked a suite at one of the airport hotels. You need a nap.”
“No.” I shake my head, even as a yawn sneaks up on me. “I can’t come with you. You’re a stranger.”
“Then why doesn’t it feel that way?” He lets my arm go. “Come on, Ava, you’re tired and I saw that your flight won’t be leaving for a while.”
I shrug. “It doesn’t matter. I can wait.”
“I know you can, but not here.” He raises his hands, the palms facing me. “I swear I won’t kidnap you. All I’m offering is lunch and a more comfortable place to wait. I’ll make sure you’re back here in time to get on your plane. The airline posts all updates online anyway.”
“How about your flight? Is it delayed too?”
“No. I’ve decided to make Frankfurt my destination after all. I’ll spend a couple of days here to attend to business.”
“What kind of business are you in?” I ask without thinking, then heat rises up my neck. “Sorry, your business is none of my business.” Getting to know him as more than a stranger would only complicate things more.
“Let’s have lunch and I’ll tell you everything you want to know about me.”
“I don’t know.” I nibble at the corner of my bottom lip, both tempted and terrified to accept his offer. “This is crazy.”
Aside from quitting my job without a plan, I don’t think I’ve ever done anything crazy in my life.
“Let’s be honest here.” He rakes a hand through his dark hair. “You like me.”
“No...I—”
“You do,” he says. “And I like you too... a lot. I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet. I want to spend more time with you. I’m starting to think the bad weather and all the delays have something to do with what’s going on between you and me.” He leans forward to whisper into my ear, his breath warming my skin. “We have a couple of hours to find out why we crossed each other’s paths.”
“Then what?” In spite of myself, a lurch of excitement flutters at the pit of my stomach.
“Then we can take it from there.” He pauses. “Usually I’m the kind of person who always has a plan, but since meeting you, I find myself doing things out of character. I kind of like it.”
“Me too.” I didn’t mean to say the words, but now that they’re out, I realize they’re true. I enjoy having Carter around. Since meeting him, something has shifted inside of me. The woman who left the US is not the same one who arrived in Frankfurt. What if it’s really fate that brought us together? What if I walk away now only to regret it later? Maybe for once in my life I should let down my hair and just have fun.
“Let’s do it,” I say. “But I’m not missing my flight.”
“I’ll make sure you don’t.” He takes my arm and leads me to a car outside.
As I slide into the backseat next to him, I pray I’m not doing something stupid.
When Carter swipes the keycard and the door clicks open, I come back to my senses. Alarm bells are suddenly going off inside my head.
“Are you okay?” he asks, pushing the door open. The faint smells of flowers and fabric softener escape the room.
“I can’t do this. It’s crazy.” I run a hand through my hair. “I barely know you.” I press my back against the cool wall next to the door, my eyes closed. When I open them again, he’s standing in front of me, his arms on both sides of my body. I push myself deeper into the wall. My mind tells me to push him away, but my body is numb, and flushed with heat.
“But something
brought you here. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want to be here, Ava.”
“I...” My words die on my tongue when he moves even closer.
“Tell me the truth.” His face is so close to mine now, his breath on my face.
Even though I want to push him away, to get out of this situation, he’s right. As much as I want to leave, I also want to stay. There’s something connecting us. He’s a stranger, but my body is reacting to his presence the way it would react to a man I’ve been dating for a long time.
The relationships I had been in so far—three in total—had started with a friendship. I have never been brave enough to walk into a relationship blindly to see what happens. My sister is quite the opposite, and she’s had her heart broken way too many times. I grew up watching and learning from her. Even though she recovered quickly each time, throwing herself into the next relationship out of fear of being alone, I promised myself to never take a page from her book. Now here I am, tempted to do just that.
Whatever happens today—whether I leave or whether I stay—I know I’ve never met a man who affected me the way Carter has. And I have never experienced the intensity of emotions coursing through me right now.
For the first time in my adult life, I understand how Jolene felt when she came home gushing about a man she had only just met at some party or a bar.
“Talk to me,” Carter whispers. “You can’t deny there’s something going on here. I know you felt the pull the moment we first laid eyes on each other. Aren’t you curious to know where a little time together can lead us?”
“You don’t understand.” I blow out a breath. “This is not me.”
“You might find this hard to believe, but this is not me either. No woman has ever messed with my head the way you did in such a short time.” He gives me a dimpled grin that sends a delicious shudder through my body. “I feel like a crazy man right now.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You’re not just telling me that to get me into your hotel room?”
“I’m not that smooth.”
“Really?” I laugh. “Let’s not forget the upgrade to first class.”
