Chapter 4
Four
Serena
The flight is almost over and Hazel’s hip bumps into mine as we dispose of the last of the cups from the passengers. “That guy over there keeps staring at you.”
I don’t need to look up to see who it is. I’ve felt his eyes on me since he ran into me on the way to the restroom. “Please,” I scoff. “Do you realize how many guys check us out on each flight? It’s nothing new. They all have a fantasy for what they can’t have.”
“Oh, you mean one of us hot, young attendants with our backs against the wall in the restroom while they tick joining the ‘mile high club’ off their bucket list?”
“That would be it.” I can’t argue and say that it’s never happened. We just weren’t in the air, and it wasn’t a passenger. I will be happy when thoughts of Braxton no longer haunt me. “It’s kind of sad, really. Do they not have anything else to look forward to when they get off the plane?”
Hazel shrugs and goes about cleaning up the small refreshment area.
She’s quiet for a few minutes as she wipes down the counter.
Just when I think she’s done with the conversation, she adds.
“If I’m not mistaken, he’s one of the basketball players on this flight.
There were a few of them in first class, but I think I’ve seen the guy sitting next to him on the news for something or other. ”
“Who cares if he plays sports? That means nothing. He’s just another one of those guys with an over-inflated ego and thinks women should line up to throw themselves at him.” I know one of those guys. I was with one of those guys. I can spot them a mile away thanks to a certain pilot.
“I’ll remember that.”
“Go ahead because nothing is ever going to happen with him.” Dating passengers isn’t necessarily against the rules, but I don’t want to make a habit of hooking up with guys I’ll only see once every few months.
That’s not a healthy relationship. Besides, I’ve sworn off relationships.
There’s no way in hell anyone can get me to change my mind.
Men only add stress and take up too much brain space.
The captain’s voice comes over the crackly speakers. “We are about ten minutes from our destination and we’ll soon begin our descent. Passengers, please return to your seats and fasten your belts. Thank you.”
A woman leaves the tiny restroom with a toddler in tow.
She’s pulling him toward their seats, and the kid isn’t having it.
He’s ready to be off this plane if his pout and red face are any indication.
Bentley looks around him as he fastens his seatbelt.
The man sitting next to him hands him something and he quickly puts it in his mouth.
It must be gum. It appears this guy, whoever he is, has never flown before.
Now his flustered state in the aisle earlier makes sense.
Anyone would be off kilter if they’re experiencing something for the first time.
“You’re checking him out,” Hazel whispers in my ear.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
I’m not going to satisfy her with a reply.
Just because my eyes landed on him while making sure all the passengers are doing what they are told, doesn’t mean anything.
Whether or not she thinks so. I take a seat on one of the foldout chairs and buckle myself in.
Usually I’m the one that stays out to make sure everyone is okay while we land, but Hazel is taking care of it today.
She loves this job, and I don’t think anyone could pull her away from it.
Me? I’m on the fence. Traveling to unfamiliar countries has been amazing, but being gone all the time is wearing me out. It’s a good thing the airline picked up this partnership because that means more at home time for me.
“Thank you for flying with us today,” the captain’s voice isn’t nearly as smooth as Braxton’s but it’s deep and even though the speakers suck, he has a way of putting fliers at ease. “We’ll begin deboarding the plane in a few minutes.”
That’s our cue to be ready to help any passengers that may need it and wish them safe travels as they leave the plane. I stand beside the door and wait for them to line up to get out of the small area and on to their next adventure.
The door opens and people funnel into the air bridge.
Another successful flight. We have a few hours until the next one and I’m not sure what I will do for those hours.
I’m sure part of it will be spent at one of the food places with Hazel, listening to her go on and on about all the hot guys she’s been dating.
Not exactly how I want to spend my free time, but it’s better than being alone with my thoughts.
The guy, Bentley, who bumped into me earlier still hasn’t come through the line to depart the plane.
There’s no way he could have gotten lost in the cramped space.
And I’m almost certain the guy sitting next to him doesn’t have any issues with how flights work.
Surely, I didn’t miss them. I shouldn’t care that they haven’t come through yet, but I have a special place in my heart for the first-time fliers.
It doesn’t matter if they are children or older, nothing quite prepares them for how it feels to be up in the air, above everyone else, and passing through cloud after cloud.
“He’s coming,” Hazel whisper yells in my ear. Where did she even come from? I thought she was handling the first-class people, not back here waiting for me to make a move on a guy I have no intentions of having any relationship with. Not even a quick one-night stand. It’s not how I operate.
“Go do your own job,” I jab her with my elbow. “I’m perfectly capable of handling a full-grown dude.” Especially if he’s this good looking. No. Stop that, Serena. No men. Ever.
The man in question stops right in front of me. “I didn’t catch your name earlier.” He looks down at where my name tag is, and I move my hand to cover it up. Even if I were interested, I wouldn’t make it that easy for him.
“That’s because I didn’t offer it.” My lips quirk into a half-smile. I’m knowingly flirting with this man. It honestly feels great even though I know I shouldn’t be doing it. “I hope you enjoyed your flight and have an amazing time in New York.”
“So, would you be willing to offer your name?” There’s a line of people standing behind him. Shuffling back and forth, patiently waiting to be let off the plane. I wonder if they think this is normal, or that maybe this man needs something more important besides my name.
“Come on Bentley,” the tall man behind him tries to nudge him forward, “let the woman do her job and stop stroking your ego. She’s obviously not interested.”
“But she smiled,” he grins at me while he’s talking about me as if I can’t hear every word he’s saying, “that has to mean something.”
“It was barely a smile, and she’s just being polite.” He nods his head toward me. “I’m sorry about my friend here. He has a habit of not letting things go even when it’s not going in his favor.”
“If I didn’t persist, I never would have made the team,” his mouth widens, and damn it if it doesn’t make him more attractive.
“From what I recall none of the players liked me and were trying to talk Coach into not giving me another chance. I kept pushing and here I am. On my way to help my team get to the finals.”
“See what I mean?” The friend shrugs and then places his hands on Bentley’s back to push him forward.
“It’s fine,” I laugh. “I’ve known quite a few people just like him.”
“I feel like I should be offended.” He places his hand over his chest as if I have wounded him. He clearly doesn’t know how to be offended. “So, are you going to give me your name, or am I going to have to hunt down your friend and ask her for the information?”
The people behind him are getting antsy.
The feet shuffling has now turned into sighs and some crossing their arms over their chest, irritated that this guy is wasting their precious time.
Normally, I wouldn’t give into something like this.
But, I know he would look for Hazel, and she’d be all too happy to give him any details he wants.
No, I’m going to do what needs to be done for the greater good of the rest of the passengers wanting to get off this plane. “My name is Serena.”
“Like the tennis player?” He tilts his head to the side and looks like a confused puppy. But I’m kind of annoyed that his first question is that. I’ve heard it a million times.
“Yes,” I sigh. “Just like the tennis player. Now, if you would,” I wave my right arm toward the door. “There are other passengers waiting to leave, and you’re holding up the line.”
“Sorry.” There’s that smidge of insecurity he had when he ran into me earlier. “I’ll be seeing you, Serena. Have an exceptional day.”
Because that’s not creepy at all. “Yeah, you too.” I swear the rest of the people on the flight want to clap their hands as he walks out of the door into the small hallway that leads to the airport.
That has got to be the weirdest confrontation I’ve ever had.
Hopefully, he’s gone before I get off the plane.
I do not want to deal with that mess when I have time to enjoy myself before my next flight assignment.
Why can’t I be lucky just once in my life?
Standing right next to my best friend is the one person I don’t want to see.
Braxton is talking to Hazel animatedly, and I don’t want to interrupt.
Hell, I don’t know why he’s even here. He rarely does domestic flights. Almost all of them are international.
“Hey, Serena,” Hazel waves me over. “The Captain here was just telling me he’s retiring from the business.”
“What?” My voice is loud even among the chattering people around us. “You love to fly, what’s making you give it up?”
“I love Hannah more than flying, and I want to start a family.” He’s practically glowing with happiness, and as much as it hurt when he didn’t want more from me, I can’t begrudge him this. “I can’t very well do that if I’m always up in the clouds.”
“You have a point there,” Hazel claps him on the back. “I wish you the best, and hopefully you’ll come see us every once in a while.”
“As if I would fly on any other airline,” he rolls his eyes. He looks at me and asks, “How have you been, Serena?”
That’s not what I was expecting to come out of his mouth.
“Huh?” I take a minute to gather my composure.
“Fine. We were switched to more domestic flights since we partnered with this basketball team. I get to see my bed more.” I cringe.
What the actual hell? That makes me sound desperate, and that’s not how I want to sound.
A figure crosses my peripheral and it’s none other than Bentley. His eyes catch mine and I wave him over. “Speaking of, this is one of the players from the team. Bentley, this is Braxton.”
Braxton furrows his brow, confused as to why I’m introducing him to this guy he’ll never see again. “It’s, um, nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Bentley doesn’t miss a beat. He throws his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to him. I squeak at the close contact and Hazel is doing everything in her power not to burst out in laughter. “How do you know my sweet Serena?”
Oh. My. God. Please, someone, wake me up from this nightmare. I didn’t mean to imply that we were dating. Braxton’s smile returns, “We used to work together. I’m, as of this weekend, a retired captain.”
“Wow,” Bentley’s eyes widen. “You’re so young.”
“Thanks…I think.” He holds his hand up and waves to us. “It’s time for me to get out of here. Hannah’s waiting for me in the bar.”
“Of course, she is,” I mutter under my breath as he hurries away.
Hazel can no longer hold the laughter in and she bends over in a fit of giggles. “That was hysterical.”
I slide out from under Bentley’s arm and put as much distance as I can between us. “Why did you tell him I was yours? I barely met you twenty minutes ago.”
“You looked like you needed a little help.” He takes a step closer to me and I take a step back toward Hazel. “Besides, maybe since I covered for you, with what seems to be an ex-boyfriend, you’ll go out on a date with me.”
“That’s not happening.” The words are out of my mouth as soon as he half-ass makes the suggestion. “I don’t date guys I barely know. Besides, you don’t even live here. How would that work out?”
“Technically, you don’t live here, either,” Hazel points out.
“Shut up, Hazel. That’s beside the point.” I turn toward the man that literally helped me out of an awkward situation and point my finger at him. “I don’t have time to date anyone. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m busy flying around and doing my job.”
“Maybe a fake date, at least. In the hotel bar to really sell it to the dude who just left.”
This guy is relentless. I knew I shouldn’t have told him my name. “I don’t need to sell it to him. He’s perfectly happy in his relationship. I was originally going to introduce you as one of the players we’re now flying around. You are the one who implied you were my boyfriend.”
“I know when to back down.” He bows slightly, but the smile never leaves his face. “Until next time.”
What does he mean by next time? Hazel can’t control herself any longer. “You really stepped in it that time.”
“What do you mean?”
Wiping a tear, did she have to laugh that hard, from her eye she shakes her head. “I’m looking forward to how this will play out.”
Nope. There’s nothing to play out. The area around my heart is man free. There’s no way I’m opening myself up to that hurt again.