29. Cassie #2
I expect we’ll drive, but there’s a car waiting to take us to the airport when we get outside the apartment. Tor wheels our suitcases around back, and the driver loads them into the trunk as I slide into the back seat.
I smooth down my skirt while I’m waiting for Tor to get in next to me.
I went with a simple white top, snug-fitting and cropped, so it shows a swatch of skin above my skirt.
I wasn’t sure what to do about a purse, so I brought a small white one on a chain, something to dangle and keep my phone and a lip gloss in, but not much else.
I didn’t want to lug something heavy around all day if we’d be walking most of the time, and it sounded like we would.
I would have liked to wear pretty sandals to show off my pedicure, but I know myself well enough to know I can’t walk around in heels for hours at a time, so instead I’m wearing simple white canvas shoes, the kind I would wear in the backyard in the summertime.
I feel very pretty and ready for a date. I just don’t know if I’m ready to fly.
Tor slides into the back seat with me. His legs are longer than mine, so I scoot over to make sure he has enough room.
He looks over at me, then looks me over, his gaze more appreciative the longer he looks.
My insides fill up, and then he places a hand on my thigh and squeezes. “You look gorgeous.”
I can’t bite back a grin. “Thank you.” I let my gaze wander over him appreciatively as well. “So do you. And hey, we kinda match.”
He wore a blue shirt and white shorts. I wore a white shirt, and my skirt has pastel blues… also greens and yellows, but we complement each other very well.
“It was meant to be,” he says lightly.
I take his hand, giving it a little squeeze as I rest my head on his shoulder. “Yes, it was.”
Our driver pulls right up to the departure gate in front of the airline we’re flying out on.
Tor climbs out and retrieves our suitcases, and I fix my outfit as I step onto the sidewalk.
I try to take my suitcase, but he tells me he’s got it.
Then we head inside, and I don’t know where to go, so I follow him.
The security line looks a little long, but he doesn’t join it. There’s a shorter, empty line, and he goes that way. We don’t wait at all. Whatever this line is, it has its own little security area, and we’re through in no time at all.
Once we’ve cleared security, Tor lets me have my suitcase back, but only so he can take my hand.
I flash him a smile as we head through the terminal, our suitcases rolling along behind us. “I went on a plane once, but I was… four? Five? I was young.”
“I’m surprised you even remember it.”
“I remember liking the window seat.”
“Then you can sit in the window seat,” he tells me.
We arrive at our gate, and I see a bunch of people already sitting. We stay standing since we’ll sit on the plane, and I’m not even sure for how long.
A lady announces that boarding will begin, then rattles off some rules. I haven’t even seen our tickets, so I wait for Tor to tell me when it’s our turn to go up.
Turns out I don’t have to wait because we’re first. Tor scans our tickets on his phone, then we head down the ramp toward the aircraft. He stops and takes my suitcase, pushing the handle down and lifting it so he can carry both more easily.
Again, I thought so, but the reason turns out to be that we’re in the second row on the plane, so there’s no need to roll anywhere.
Tor lifts our suitcases, and I admire the view of his arms as he puts them in the overhead compartment.
Then he gestures for me to take the inside seat so I can have the window, and he takes the seat next to me.
There are only two seats on each side of the plane where we’re sitting, but before I sat down, I saw rows of three in the back part of the plane.
A smiling flight attendant in a blue uniform approaches as soon as Tor is seated. “Good morning, how are you doing today?”
“We’re good,” Tor tells her.
“Wonderful. What can I get you to drink? We have coffee, juice, water, soft drinks…?”
“Orange juice?” I ask.
“Okay.” She smiles at me, then shifts her focus to Tor. “And for you?”
“Orange juice is fine,” he says.
“Perfect. I’ll be right back with those.”
I thank her, and as soon as she walks away, I lean closer to Tor. “Wow, airplane service is crazy. They haven’t even finished loading people on the plane yet.”
“It’s because we’re in first class, and it’s a short flight. They have to hustle to get you your money’s worth.”
“Oh.”
“Once the plane’s full, she’ll probably take our breakfast order.”
“I didn’t know there was breakfast. I’m glad there is,” I say. “I am hungry.”
The lady brings us drinks right away, stepping aside as other travelers squeeze past her to reach the back of the plane.
Then she takes our breakfast order before the plane has even filled up.
We both order a ham-and-cheese croissant with a side of fruit.
Tor also requests a cup of coffee, so maybe he’s tired, too.
Once our order is placed, the flight attendant brings over hot towels, and as I unroll mine, I feel a little self-conscious as the stream of passengers look at me as they continue walking past.
Frowning, I lean over. “Do you ever feel a bit guilty sitting up here?”
Tor looks over at me, a fond smile on his face. “No.”
“Oh. Okay, just me then,” I say with a nod. “Got it.”