Chapter 3
Finally, two weeks after I was officially hired, I got the call I’d been waiting for. Today was my first flight, and I was overly excited but extremely nervous. Thank goodness the other flight attendants were experienced and willing to look out for me.
“You’re doing great, Khiya. Much better than I did on my first day,” Evelyn, one of the flight attendants, whispered.
“Thank you.”
Everyone had boarded the plane, and we had begun going over the instructions. I walked up and down the aisle, ensuring all overhead bins were secured, everyone had their seat belts on, tray tables up, and small bags or purses under the seat in front of them.
By the time I reached the front of the plane, Kendall and Evelyn had completed the safety demonstration, and we were ready for takeoff. I sat and secured my seat as well, taking a slow, deep breath.
“I still can’t believe I’m a flight attendant,” I told Kendall, the male on our three-person crew.
“Was this a lifelong dream of yours?” he asked.
“Not at all. It never crossed my mind until I applied.”
“Same here. It’s not a bad job, but I don’t know many people who aspire to do it. I was at a crossroads in my life when I applied, but I have no regrets. Hopefully, you won’t either.”
The plane had reached a safe altitude for us to move around, so we began preparing the drink and snack cart. The flight to Denver was just under three hours, and by the time we finished serving the snacks, we had a little less than an hour left.
“Good afternoon, everyone. This is your captain speaking. It looks like the snowstorm in Denver that I mentioned has picked up, and we’re gonna experience some turbulence as we begin our descent. Please adhere to the Fasten Seatbelt sign that will remain on for the duration of our flight.”
I was hoping my first flight would be smooth sailing, but I guess that was asking too much. We put the cart away and went through the aisle to collect trash. Just as we finished, the turbulence worsened, and we quickly returned to our seats.
“Are you nervous?” Evelyn asked.
“This wasn’t what I expected for my first flight, but I’m okay.”
“The storm is pretty bad, and there’s a good chance we might be grounded for the night. The captain will let us know once we land.”
I laughed nervously. “Spending Valentine’s Day in Denver won’t be so bad. It’s not like I had plans.”
“Aww. You don’t have anyone waiting for you back in Chicago to wine and dine you tonight?”
“Unfortunately, no. How about you?”
She held up her hand to show me the wedding ring I hadn’t noticed.
“I’ve been married for five years, but we don’t make a big deal out of these man-made holidays. If I were home, we’d probably order in, cuddle up on the couch, and watch movies. Sometimes we exchange gifts, sometimes we don’t. It really just depends on what’s going on.”
“I love that. I think in relationships, you have to do what works for you and your partner, and it sounds like you two have it figured out.”
“Yeah. He’s great. We didn’t have any plans, but he’ll be disappointed if I can’t fly back tonight, as he would be any other night.”
“I’m sure. I can’t wait to have someone be disappointed about me not coming home.”
We laughed, but I was serious. I’d been single for two years, and I missed having someone special in my life.
I thought my ex, Harlan, was the one, but much like my former employer, he invited me over one day to break up with me.
It was heartbreaking, and very unexpected, but I took it on the chin and didn’t even bother to ask him why.
“Hold on. It’s about to get bumpy,” Evelyn warned.
She didn’t lie. I’d never experienced so much turbulence or a landing as bumpy in my life, but I was grateful we’d made it safely to our destination.
About twenty minutes later, the plane was empty aside from the cleanup crew.
It had been confirmed that we were grounded for this evening and would be spending the night in Denver.
“Today has been a wonderful introduction,” I said sarcastically as we walked through the airport.
“Yeah. The only thing that would’ve made this worse is an irate passenger. Thankfully, everyone on this flight behaved.”
“That would’ve been horrible.”
“Being grounded in Denver ain’t so bad. The hotel we’re staying in is connected to the airport, so we don’t have to go outside. They have a nice restaurant that’s open until ten, and a bar that’s open until midnight. You can also order room service, which is what I plan to do.”
“It’s nice to have options. I guess I’ll figure out what I want to do once I get settled in my room. I need to call my parents, brother, and best friend to let them know I won’t be coming home tonight.”
When we arrived at the hotel to book a room, I looked around for Kendall, but didn’t see him. He’d gotten off the plane with us but lagged behind a bit. I wondered if he had plans for the evening, not that I was interested in him. I was simply nosy.
“Where’s Kendall?” I asked Evelyn.
“Don’t even go there, girl. He is a whole ho out in these streets.”
I laughed. “Oh wow. That’s good to know. I’m not interested in him, though. I was just wondering where he disappeared to.”
“There’s no telling. He probably hooked up with one of the passengers. Hell, knowing him, he already had someone lined up before we landed.”
Kendall was a handsome man, so her words didn’t surprise me. I didn’t have a chance to respond because I’d reached the front desk. Evelyn waited for me to book my room, and we headed to the elevators.
“What floor are you on?” she asked.
“Seven. You?”
“Five.”
The elevator arrived, and we stepped on. She pushed the buttons for our floors, and we waited for the doors to close. Just before they did, an arm slipped between them, and when the face attached to it came into view, I almost lost my breath.
He was tall, with smooth dark skin, prominent cheekbones, and a chiseled jawline. When our eyes connected, he smiled, causing me to do the same. He looked at me with such intensity, I could’ve slid down the elevator wall.
“Hey, Captain McCoy! Long time no see,” Evelyn said, forcing him to look her way.
“Evelyn, hey! Why are you being so formal? How are you?” he asked, leaning toward her for a one-armed hug.
“I’m good. Not thrilled about being grounded on Valentine’s Day, but I’ll survive. What floor?”
“Seven, please. Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but this storm is one of the worst this area has seen in years, and the temps are supposed to get well below freezing, which creates more problems. We could be here for a couple of days.”
“Two days!” I exclaimed.
They both looked at me, and it felt as if I’d said something wrong.
“Captain McCoy—I mean, Sylas, this is Khiya. Today was her first day. Khiya, this is Captain Sylas McCoy. He flies for Sable. This is my floor. Khiya, you have my number if you need anything.”
Evelyn exited the elevator, leaving me alone with Sylas.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said, offering his hand.
I shook it and said, “You too.”
“Damn. Has anyone ever told you how beautiful your voice is?”
My smile probably stretched across my whole face as I responded.
“A few times.”
“Do you sing in your spare time or something?”
“No. Unfortunately, I’ve only been blessed with a pleasant speaking voice. Singing isn’t my ministry.”
I’d just had a similar conversation with Kendall and Evelyn when they complimented my voice after we officially met before the flight. People commented on the sound of my voice often, especially when I was younger, because I’d always sounded very mature for my age.
“That’s hard to believe. So, you’ve had an interesting first day, huh?”
“That’s for sure, but it could be worse.”
“It could definitely be worse.”
The elevator doors opened, and he stepped to the side, allowing me to exit first. I looked at the wall to determine if my room was to the left or the right, and Sylas did the same.
“It was nice meeting you,” I said before heading down the hall.
“It looks like we’re headed in the same direction. I’m in 614.”
“Oh. I guess we’re neighbors. I’m in 612.”
We arrived at our rooms and let ourselves in. I pulled my small suitcase into my room, and just before the door closed, I heard him say, “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
I caught the doorknob, peeked into the hallway, and said, “You do the same.”
I let the door close, turned the lock, and pressed my back against it. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. Captain Sylas McCoy had me a little hot and bothered.
Today was overwhelming, but Evelyn and Kendall were helpful, without making me feel inadequate.
There were a few things I could’ve done more efficiently, and they didn’t hesitate to show me, but they did it with care, which I appreciated.
I opened my eyes, and the first thing I noticed was the adjoining door.
“Sylas’s fine ass is right on the other side of that door,” I whispered as if there was a chance he could hear me.
The Lord had to be testing me, because why would He make that man so easily accessible? I hadn’t had sex since last summer, and I hadn’t had good sex in even longer than that. Sylas exuded big dick energy, and I swear I could feel it through the walls.
I pushed myself off the door and went further into the room. The television was on with my name displayed on the screen. I picked up the remote, slipped out of my heels, and began flipping through the channels. After finding an old Black sitcom, I took my phone from my purse.
The first people I called were my parents. Right away, they began asking a million questions. I stopped them before the conversation went too far and added my brother to the call. We talked for thirty minutes before I finally had enough.
“I’ll let y’all know as soon as I find out more information. As of now, I’m just here for the night,” I told them.
“Okay, sweetheart. You be safe. Don’t talk to strangers, and—”
“Ma, I’ll be fine. I love y’all.”
“Love you too,” my mother, father, and brother said simultaneously.
I ended the call and fell back onto the bed. My stomach was indeed scratching my back because I was too nervous to eat a real breakfast. It was a little after six, and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to shower, get comfortable, and order room service, or go down to the restaurant.
“Decisions, decisions,” I said aloud.
Instead of actually making a decision, I called Mena to have her decide for me.
“Girl, what took you so long to call me?” she questioned when she answered.
“Hello to you too, bestie.”
“Don’t bestie me. I’ve been waiting hours for a call or text from your ass.”
“Why didn’t you call or text me?”
“Because I didn’t want to interrupt your day? How was your first flight?”
“Good, but I’m stuck in Denver overnight.”
“What? Why?”
I explained the situation to her, and of course, she had questions.
“Are they paying for your room?”
“Yes, sis. Whenever we have to stay overnight, our room is covered.”
“What about your food?”
“Up to a certain amount is covered.”
“I’m looking at the Denver weather on my phone, and it looks bad. Do you think it’ll be just one night?”
“I don’t know. I met a pilot on the elevator on the way to my room, and he said we might be here for at least two days.”
“Wow. Two days—wait, you said you met a pilot? I’m gathering it wasn’t the pilot who flew your plane. Is he with the same airline?”
“No. The pilots on my plane are probably in their late forties, early fifties. This pilot is closer to my age, and yes, he’s with Sable Airlines.”
“Is he Black?”
“Mena, he is the most beautiful shade of brown I’ve ever seen. Girl, he stepped on that elevator and almost snatched my soul just by looking at me. He even has a Caesar cut with waves like the niggas in the nineties.”
“Damn. He’s nineties fine. I hope you got his number.”
“I didn’t, but he’s in the room next door.”
“Next door? Does it have an adjoining door?”
“Yep.”
“Aww, shit. My girl might come back from Denver walking funny.”
“Oh my God. Please, Mena. I’m not about to fuck that man. I mean, I probably will in my dreams, but he’s too fine not to be attached to someone. I know he has a wife and a kid or two at home, and I don’t do married men.”
“You didn’t check his ring finger?”
“No. Hell, I could barely take my eyes off his face. The last thing on my mind was his marital status.”
“It should’ve been the first thing, but whatever. You think you’ll see him again?”
“Maybe. It depends on how long we’re here.”
“Hmm. It’s about dinner time. You should—”
“If you’re about to tell me to knock on his door, save your breath. If I run into him again, it’ll have to be fate because—”
I was interrupted by a knock on my door.
“What was that?” Mena asked.
“Someone’s knocking.”
“Is that fate?” she teased and laughed.
“Girl, shut up.”
“Go see who it is.”
“What do you think I’m doing?”
When I got to the door, I looked through the peephole and saw Sylas on the other side.
“Oh my God. It’s him,” I whispered as I rushed away from the door.
“Oh shit. Open the door. I’m about to FaceTime you so I can see him.”
As Mena FaceTimed me, I heard another knock. I connected the video call on my way back to the door and slowly pulled it open.
“Hey. Umm, what’s up?”
“I hope I’m not interrupting you. I’m headed to Grill & Vine to get dinner, and I was wondering if you’d join me.”
“Oh, I—” I began.
“She will. She absolutely will.”
Sylas and I looked at my phone, but he couldn’t see the screen.
“Mena, please.”
“What? Weren’t you just saying you were hungry? No sense in eating alone when you got someone right there who wants to eat you—I mean, eat with you.”
“Oh my—Sylas. Can you give me about fifteen minutes? I want to shower and change outta this uniform.”
“No problem. Knock on my door when you’re ready.”
“Hold on! Hold on! Let me see what he looks like in case I have to identify him in a police lineup,” Mena demanded.
I sighed as I shook my head and turned the phone so that she could see his face.
“Hello. I’m Sylas McCoy.”
“Hi. I’m Mena, Khiya’s best friend, and I don’t play about her. Don’t do nothing stupid. I took a screenshot and will have your face plastered all over social media in an instant.”
He laughed. “I promise, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“I mean, you can be misbehave a little if it entails folding my friend up like a—”
“Okay. That’s enough. Fifteen minutes.”
The smirk he wore was sexy as hell as he nodded. I quickly closed the door and leaned against it.
“Sis! He is fine as hell. If you don’t call me tomorrow and tell me you sat on that gorgeous face, our friendship is over.”
“Bye, Mena.”
“Fine. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”