4. Guests are Paying Customers, Not Friends
4
GUESTS ARE PAYING CUSTOMERS, NOT FRIENDS
Hanna had spent enough time in airports to know they were not the magical hub of transportation that cinema tries to convince everyone they are.
Yes, they had the ability to take a person to far off places, removing them from the mundane of everyday life and whisking them to a dazzling new place for a brief stint in time, but they also made a person feel like cattle, prodded and shuffled from one location to the next.
Between standing in seemingly endless lines–surely the line for TSA was a portal into purgatory where frazzled passengers ran over your ankles with their luggage and coughs and sneezes came from every direction–and the bombardment of last minute shopping for the unprepared or bored, it was enough to stress anyone out.
Frequent travelers knew the secrets of getting through with less headache, thank you advance check-in and TSA Precheck, but more often than not, Hanna did not give tours to frequent travelers.
Hence, the reason for her presence at the San Diego International Airport waiting for the tour group to arrive.
Although Hazel and Noah traveled enough to navigate the chaos of international airports, Hazel’s friends Lillian, Mai, and Daphne, did not.
Hazel insisted that Hanna travel with them, instead of meeting them in Paris, to make sure that Mai, who used a wheelchair, did not feel like a burden for the group.
Checking her phone to verify that the private car she ordered for the group was arriving soon, Hanna pulled her carryon and matching backpack to the curb.
Moments later, a white SUV pulled up to the curb and Noah stepped out of the front passenger seat just as Hanna was reaching for the rear door handle.
“I’ve got it,” he said, opening the door for the older women.
Casual dress must not be a term that Noah was familiar with, because he was once again dressed in slacks, button down shirt, and a long coat despite the fact they would be sitting on a plane for hours.
Hanna hid a laugh in her shoulder as Noah leaned in to help his grandmother out of the vehicle just for the older woman to smack his arm at his fussing.
“I can get out on my own, no need to treat me like I’ve got one foot in the grave.” In jeans and a soft sweater, Hazel was dressed more in line with what Hanna suggested in the packing list she sent to the group.
“Hanna, so good to see you again.”
Spiced perfume tickled her nose as Hanna bent slightly to accept Hazel’s hug.
“The pleasure is all mine. Are you excited for another trip?” She watched as Noah helped the other women get out of the vehicle, keeping an eye on the growing pile of luggage the driver was putting on the curb.
Hazel’s eyes were lit from within, her excitement for the trip palpable.
“After that amazing itinerary you put together? I have a feeling this trip is going to be the best yet. Between the art, food and wine, and shows, I hardly think we will get any sleep.”
“Now, Hazel, not all of us can keep up with you.” The smoky voice belonged to the elegant asian woman wheeling over to join them.
Her dark hair was cut short and heavily dusted with gray, rich brown eyes twinkling with mischief as she regarded her friend.
“You must be Hanna. Hazel has been talking about you non-stop since she first took a tour with you, hopefully you can help us keep her from going too crazy. I am Mai Kato, but you can call me Mai.”
Hanna laughed at Hazel’s pretend offense at her friend’s comment.
“Lovely to meet you, Mai. My job is to make sure you all have fun, and I don’t think there is anyone who could stop Hazel when she puts her mind to something.” Hanna was pleased that Mai laughed at her joke.
“I like you already,” Mai said with a pat on Hanna’s hand.
“I liked her the moment she booked us a cabaret,” said the tall woman stepping up to Hanna.
Calloused hands clasped Hanna’s as she found herself being drawn into another hug.
Daphne Dupre smelled like sunshine and coconuts, her braided hair shining in the morning light.
“I hope you brought your dancing shoes, missy, because these new knees are ready to boogie.” She gave a little shimmy to illustrate her point, bracelets jingling on her wrists.
Here was a group of women who embraced life and were ready for a good time.
It was groups like these why Hanna never got tired of traveling, they were infectious with their enthusiasm and she was caught in their orbit.
Hanna wanted to be this full of life and joy when she was their age, living in the present and not taking a moment for granted.
“Be careful with my bags!” A sharp voice drew Hanna’s attention away from the trio to the back of the vehicle where the driver was unloading the last suitcase from the trunk.
Beside him was a thin woman dressed head to toe in cream, her platinum hair and gold jewelry looked like it belonged in a stock photo instead of the dirty curb of an airport.
With her face pinched with worry as the driver set a Louis Vuitton duffle bag on top of the matching suitcase, Hanna would have thought the item was the woman’s first-born child, not a piece of luggage.
Not wanting to start the trip off on a sour note, Hanna strode forward to thank the driver and take over managing the suitcases.
“Lillian, right?” Hanna steered Lillian away from the driver with an arm around her shoulders.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Hanna and if there is anything you need, please let me know. Hazel let me know that you were looking forward to touring the Louvre and Monet’s gardens.”
“Well, yes, I love art.” The blonde turned over her shoulder to look back at her luggage.
“Are you just going to leave our bags on the curb? Mine are very expensive.”
Hanna suppressed an eye roll at the implication that she was abandoning the bags when they were two steps away.
Based on Hazel’s warnings, Hanna knew that Lillian’s husband recently left her for a younger woman and was lashing out.
It did not excuse the rudeness, but at least Hanna was prepared for it and would not take it personally.
“Your bags are in good hands. If you would like to join the others, I will get the bags so that you can all get checked in.”
Having prepared two luggage carts in advance, Hanna was glad that she packed light.
Based on the number of suitcases the four women brought, it would take some coordination to push both carts and her own bag.
At least it was not that far to the luggage drop off.
A shadow covered the handles of the carts just before a pair of hands settled around hers on one cart.
“That was neatly handled.”
Noah did not look at her as he said it, instead focusing on the path in front of them as they navigated through the groups of people making their way into the check-in lobby, Hazel and her friends following behind them.
True to his word, after their meeting at the coffee shop, Noah kept their communication to a minimum, checking in only once or twice a week.
Each time, he asked genuine questions, like how transportation for Mai would work, and their conversations ended with a clipped, “Thank you.” More often than not, his texts about the trip would turn into calls where he would ask why Hanna selected particular establishments, and where her favorite places were to visit in the city.
He seemed to enjoy hearing her talk and share stories about her travels, despite his one-word responses.
And true to her word, Hanna was working on being her real self with him.
“Well, it is my job. Just wait until she sees what her bags look like after they’ve been in the belly of a plane.” She could just imagine the meltdown now, the pristine luggage stood no chance against the grime of thousands of bags on conveyor belts.
Beside her, Noah covered a laugh with a cough, the edge of his mouth twitching.
They approached the self-check bag kiosks and Hanna quickly tagged each of the women’s bags, taking photos of the corresponding tags just in case.
“Where are yours?” Noah held his tagged luggage in one hand, a messenger bag slung over his shoulder.
As Hanna worked her way through the group’s bags, his large hand was always there to grab it and place it back on the luggage cart.
Despite her initial reaction to tell him that she could manage it on her own, Hanna was not too proud to admit that it made the process smoother, and she thanked him as he lifted each bag.
His eyebrow lifted in response, as if to tell her that the thanks was unnecessary.
Lifting her shoulder to gesture to her backpack and carry-on, Hanna replied, “This is all I brought.”
“Just two bags?” Lillian looked at her in exaggerated horror.
“How could you possibly have enough changes of clothes, let alone makeup and hair products?”
Taking a moment to start handing bags off to the counter attendant with a shared smile of customer service commiseration, Hanna turned back to the group.
Even sweet Hazel was staring at her in confusion, the ability to travel minimally not in any of the women’s vocabulary.
“I have everything I need. Since I travel often, I am used to packing just a few pieces that I can rotate and wash when needed. Packing light makes it easier for me to help all of you and I do not need to worry about saving room for souvenirs.”
Not that there was anyone for her to buy souvenirs for even if she wanted to.
Her family was spread out across the globe, her eldest sister the only one with a permanent address, and carrying around knick knacks for months before having an opportunity to mail them was not on the top of Hanna’s to-do list. They would not want anything either, claiming that Hanna’s safety was the most important gift.
Her small group of friends was just as traveled as Hanna was, so they never wanted gifts, and Sarah only asked for chocolate, which was easily retrieved on the way to the airport before the return trip.
“Well,” Daphne murmured, “I wish I had your self-control. I thought I would need to sit on my suitcase just to get it closed!”
Yeah, Hanna could tell based on the weight as she hefted it off the cart and onto the scale.
Clearly, weight limits were not a concern to the group.
Mai laughed before waving a hand at the remaining luggage, of which only one suitcase was hers.
“Were Noah and I the only ones who read Hanna’s trip suggestions? Packing light was one of them.”
“You always were good at memorizing rules, mostly so that you could figure out how to get around them,” Hazel teased her friend affectionately, the quartet descending into giggles as they reminisced about past misadventures while Hanna finished unloading the luggage.
This group was going to be a handful in the best way possible.
Warm breath tickled her ear–the only reason a shiver went down her spine, surely–as Noah leaned in to whisper, “Sure you can handle their brand of trouble?”
When she tipped her head back to look up at him, Hanna found Noah’s face much closer than expected.
Since he had to lean down to speak in her ear, Noah was eye level with her upturned face, their mouths inches apart.
A flush burned its way across Hanna’s chest, infusing her limbs with heat until she felt like she was melting from the inside out while her mouth went dry.
This close, Hanna could see flecks of gold in Noah’s eyes, tiny chips of warmth in otherwise cool eyes, and spotted a thin white scar along his hairline.
Her fingers itched to trace it and Hanna clenched her fist to resist.
Close as they were, Hanna caught the flash in Noah’s eyes, his pupils dilating as his mouth parted slightly.
Was it possible that her proximity was doing similar things to his body?
Did he feel this spark between them, too?
Improbable as it was, Hanna knew nothing good would come from that line of thinking.
Noah was her client.
Technically, his grandmother is the client , the devil on her shoulder whispered.
Blinking away the errant thought, Hanna cleared her throat and stepped back.
“Handle it? Please. I encourage it.” Leaving Noah to ponder that with a toss of her hair, Hanna corralled the group to take them through security.
Thanks to priority screening, the group was through TSA with minimal trouble and Hanna let out a sigh of relief that while the group did not heed her directions to pack light, they had at least listened to what could and could not go in a carry on.
Pushing Mai’s wheelchair through the automatic doors into the first class lounge, Hanna was glad they were through one of the trickiest hurdles for traveling.
How a group got through the check in and security processes was telling for how they would manage waiting for more popular experiences, like the line for the Eiffel Tower elevator.
“Welcome, ladies and gentleman.” The counter representative smiled politely and extended a hand across the counter, eyes sweeping over the group with a flash of approval.
“May I see your tickets?”
“Of course.” Hanna handed them over before reaching for her phone.
While the rest of the group could access the lounge due to their first class seats, Hanna had purchased a lounge pass for herself.
Saving money by flying economy was the responsible decision and it was not like Hazel or her friends would need Hanna on the flight.
That was what the first class flight attendants were for.
That did not mean she wanted to draw attention to the fact that she was flying economy, so Hanna tried to discreetly slide her phone to the bespectacled man across the counter from her.
But, as her father would say, God had a different plan for her today.
“I am sorry, miss, but your ticket does not give you access to the lounge.” The representative gave her a pitying smile, completely ignoring her phone, while sliding her ticket back.
“There are still seats in first class available if you would like to upgrade your ticket? Your companions are welcome to wait in the lounge for you.”
All conversation stopped, the silence in the small lobby deafening as embarrassment flooded Hanna’s face and caused a small sheen of sweat to form on her skin.
This reminded her of one of her first solo tours, where Hanna mixed up the date/month order on a reservation and was told by the hotel staff–in front of the entire party–that she made a mistake and there were no rooms available at that hotel.
A small miracle that their group was the only one in the room, but Hanna could feel the weight of seven pairs of eyes staring at her.
“Hanna, darling.” Hazel stepped up beside her, setting a comforting hand on her arm.
“Is everything alright?”
Now would be a great time for Hanna to discover she secretly had invisibility powers.
Or the capability to time travel.
Refusing to let Hazel see how much this humiliated her, Hanna stuffed down her feelings.
“Just a small misunderstanding. Why don’t you and the others continue into the lounge? I have you all checked in and will join you in a moment.”
“Are you sure? We do not mind waiting for you.” Mixed looks of sympathy and impatience–thank you, Lillian–lined the other women’s faces.
“I am sure.” Hanna nudged them toward the elevators.
“Go enjoy a mimosa!”
Hanna waited for the elevator doors to close before she turned back to the counter…
and ran smack into Noah’s chest.
“Noah!” His name came out as a surprised squeak.
“What are you still doing here? Go with Hazel, I will be there in a few minutes.” What had she done in life to deserve his presence for this embarrassing moment?
The last thing she needed was for him to see this and add it to his list of reasons why they should not have hired her.
He wrapped his hands around her shoulders and gently moved Hanna to the side.
“What is the problem?” His question was addressed to the representative still holding Hanna’s ticket.
“Your companion has a ticket for economy class and cannot join you in the lounge. As I was just explaining to her, there are still seats available for your flight if she would like to upgrade.”
“Economy?” Noah’s eyes flashed to hers, something unreadable in their depths.
He was probably angry that her peasant status was showing.
“Why aren’t you with us?”
“Because I am trying to start a business and it would be irresponsible to pay for first class,” she hissed at him, pitching her voice low in the hope that the representatives could not hear her.
Noah’s frown deepened and Hanna fought back a glare of her own.
Just when she thought he was beginning to like her.
The representative watched them with the hidden glee of someone who was enjoying the drama unfolding in front of their eyes.
“Would you like me to show you which options are available for upgrade?”
“That will not be necessary.” Hanna slid in front of Noah.
“As I was trying to show you on my phone, I purchased a lounge pass.”
This time it was the representative’s turn to flush with embarrassment.
Reviewing the information on the screen, he scanned the pass and slid the phone back towards Hanna.
“My apologies, miss. Please enjoy your stay in the lounge.”
“Thank you, I will.”
Wheeling her bag behind her, Hanna tried to make as graceful an exit as possible, only turning back to hold the elevator for Noah.
Who was still standing at the counter.
At her raised eyebrow, he said, “Go ahead, I just had a question. It will only take a minute.”
Grateful for the reprieve being alone in the elevator would give her, Hanna left Noah in the lobby, slumping against the cool wall once the doors closed.
It was fine. Everything is fine.
People make mistakes, Hanna reminded herself with several slow breaths.
The hot flush slowly receded as Hanna’s heart rate slowed.
She hated making mistakes, particularly in front of others.
Logically, she knew there was no shame in flying economy, but after years of traveling with people whose daily budget was more than her rent, Hanna could not shake the feeling of being on the outside looking in.
Dressing the part went a long way to integrating with groups, but nothing would change the fact that she was not one of them.
Never had been, never would be.
Every cell of her body wanted to hide away for a few hours while Hazel and the others forgot the interaction, but running away from discomfort was never the answer.
She was an adult, dammit, and the next two weeks would be more awkward if she did not get it out of the way.
When the elevator doors opened, Hanna surveyed the polished space, the gleaming tiled floor curving like a river around a series of seating areas partially hidden by half-walls.
Her shoes tapped against the floor as Hanna passed the buffet stations and square bar.
Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the tarmac made the space look larger than it was, and Hanna soon found the group.
Daphne and Hazel were seated in plush maroon chairs across from Mai, around a low table that reflected the room’s light from its opal top.
At the bar, Lillian was accepting four glasses of mimosas.
“Hanna, darling,” Hazel called out as she joined them at the table, “is everything alright with your ticket?”
Tucking her skirt beneath her, Hanna settled into a chair before answering.
“Yes, just a small misunderstanding. Nothing to worry about. I see you helped yourselves to the buffet, was there anything else I can get you?”
“No, but you should get something for yourself.” Mai gestured with her fork to the omelet in front of her.
“This is delicious.”
Before Hanna could reply, Lillian came around the table, sliding a glass to each of her friends.
“Well, that certainly does smell good. Hanna?” Her southern accent thickened the name as if she was mispronouncing it on purpose.
“Would you get me one?”
“Let the girl sit a minute, Lillian,” Daphne chided.
“Go get one yourself.”
“It’s alright.” Hanna was already rising from the chair.
“What would you like on it?”
Lillian smiled smugly at the group before rattling off a list of ingredients.
“See, she doesn't mind. It is her job after all.”
She had a name and could answer for herself, but Hanna kept that thought to herself and went over to the food stations. While she waited for Lillian’s omelet, Hanna filled a bowl with yogurt, granola, and fruit, food that was easy to eat while being continuously interrupted by questions.
A crisp ticket flapped in her peripheral vision. “Here.”
Hanna groaned inwardly. Was it not enough that he stayed to witness her exchange with the desk agent, but now Noah had to interrupt her moment of peace waiting for food?
“I already have a ticket,” she said, ignoring the proffered paper.
Noah leaned his hip against the counter, creating a perpendicular stand-off as his body faced her and she resolutely faced the omelet station.
“This one is better.”
“Why? Because it was printed on first-class lounge paper? Thanks, but I’ll stick with the one I have.”
Flicking the ticket so that it danced in front of Hanna’s face Noah replied, “No, because it is first-class.”
“What?” Hanna pinched the paper between two fingers like it would burn her, studying the ink like the Rosetta Stone, rereading the words to make sure she was seeing them correctly. The words did not change. There was her name, their flight number, and a number for a seat in first class.
Out of the corner of her eye, Noah remained where he was, face unreadable as he watched for her reaction.
“Are you mocking me?” The only times Hanna flew better than economy was when she received an upgrade due to her frequent flier status. While she accounted for transportation expenses in her rates, Hanna knew that she could save money by taking a lower-status seat, and while she rarely traveled with guests on planes, none ever offered to upgrade her. To receive this from the man who accused her of trying to take his grandmother’s money, or scam them into a free vacation was incomprehensible.
Noah’s eyebrows lowered in confusion. “What? No. I would never do something like that.”
“Then why give me this ticket? If I accept it, does that prove to you that I am using you for your money? Newsflash, I do not need your money to get on that plane. I had my own seat, using my own money, that I was perfectly happy with. Had I wanted to fly first class, I could have, and I do not need your pity to get there.”
How dare he? Just because she was flying in economy did not make her less than him. Angry tears pricked the backs of her eyes and Hanna blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. It galled her how quickly he was able to poke at her insecurities, making her feel like a twelve-year-old again trying to fit in at a new school, getting laughed at for her twice-over hand-me-down clothing.
“Hanna, no. Look at me, please.” The gentle pleading in his voice, something she never thought to hear in his tone, had Hanna’s head turning against her will. “This is not pity, or me thinking less of you for flying economy. I did this because I did not think it was right for you to be in economy while we are in first class. You did all the planning for this trip and deserve a comfortable seat for a long flight. Heaven knows you will need all the rest you can get once we land and my grandmother’s crew has you traipsing across Paris.”
His eyes softened at the joke, small lines crinkling at the edges. Like a popped balloon, Hanna’s anger deflated.
“How do you know this is not just some scheme to con you into getting me a better seat?”
“Because if you were that good of an actress, you would be winning Oscars, not taking an overeager group of seniors on a tour through Paris.”
Hanna laughed, smile widening as a ghost of a smile flickered over Noah’s face. “Don’t be so sure, there is a lot you do not know about me. Layers of mystery.”
Honestly, she did not mean for it to sound so suggestive, but even her own ears picked up on the husky tone of her voice. Energy snapped between them and Hanna’s tongue darted out to lick her suddenly dry lips. Noah’s eyes darkened as they watched the movement, Adam's apple moving over the open collar of his shirt. He took a step forward, his chest brushing against Hanna’s arm on an inhale.
Taking shallow breaths to prevent touching him completely, Hanna was captive to his gaze. Now she understood why people fell under hypnotism. Caught in Noah’s piercing stare, everything around her became muted, voices falling away into a dull murmur as her senses focused on the man in front of her. What would he feel like if she leaned into him? The hint of corded muscles underneath the layer of fabric was like a ghost, shifting in and out of focus in her memory. All she had to do to confirm their presence was move just a little closer.
“Miss…
miss, your omelet is ready.
”
Oh gosh, had she really been so lost in thought that she did not notice the chef holding out the plate for her?
At least she did not appear to be the only one affected by their proximity.
While Hanna thanked the chef and grabbed the plate, Noah ran a hand through his hair and straightened his shirt, smoothing out invisible wrinkles.
Right over the place where Hanna’s arm had touched.
When their eyes met, there were twin spots of pink above Noah’s scruff and he quickly muttered something about meeting her at the table before turning to grab a plate of his own.
As long as neither of them mentioned the spark of chemistry between them, they could just ignore it. Right?