22. Ostor
Chapter 22
Ostor
I didn’t say much the next morning. What could I say?
An apology might help, perhaps. Or I could get down on my knees and beg her to give me another chance to prove I was worthy.
Since I didn’t know how to bring this all up, I said nothing as we quickly grabbed food at the buffet, as we rode in the transport vehicle to the airport, as we made our way through the check-in process.
“Oh, lucky you,” the man behind the counter said, his gaze landing on me. “They upgraded you to first class. We’ve been trying to do this as often as we can with orcs, at least until we’ve fitted larger chairs in the main cabin.”
“What about Rosey?” I asked.
“He speaks,” she hissed in a voice almost too low to hear.
I wanted to tell her that I ached to pour out my heart to her, but I didn’t know what I could say to fix this.
“I’m sorry.” The man’s smile fell. “But there’s only one seat available. You don’t have to take it. I’m sure someone else—”
“No,” Rosey barked, not looking my way. “Take the first-class seat, Ostor. I’ll be fine in the one I booked before the trip.”
“I’ll sit with you.” Maybe then I could find a way to tell her I was sorry.
“I insist,” she growled, backing away from me. “Take it. You need the legroom. I don’t.”
“I don’t want to—”
“I said I’ll be fine!” She lifted her big suitcase and slammed it down onto the scale. “You’ll be too cramped if you sit with me.”
“Alright.” Maybe I could compose my thoughts and figure out how I could correct all the mistakes I’d made. By the time we landed, I could pour out my heart and make this right.
If she’d listen. She seemed angry, though I already knew why.
I’d messed this up horribly.
We made our way through security and took seats on the other side to wait until they called for us to board. Before I could try to somewhat bridge the widening gap between us, she rose. “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be back. Watch my carry-on, would you?” She scooted away before I could say a thing.
She didn’t return until they were calling for us to board, and only then to grab her bag and sling it over her shoulder, give me a wan smile, and urged me to go with the rest of those sitting in the front of the plane.
I did as she suggested, but I sought her gaze as she made her way down the aisle. She kept her eyes studiously on the floor, not looking my way.
Not even once.
I truly had ruined this for us both.