Chapter Three #2
The anticipation of discovery coursed through her veins as she brushed her teeth.
Perhaps among the vibrant tulip fields and picturesque windmills, the echoes of her dreams would find resonance in the waking world.
Yeah, right, and then her fairy godmother would appear, waving her wand, granting all she longed for.
Voila. Just like that. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head at her train of thought.
As if Jay would suddenly appear in her next destination. Fate wasn’t that boundless.
Half an hour later, showered, impeccably dressed and groomed, with her comfy Hush Puppy heeled shoes cushioning her feet, she took one last glance at her suitcase, packed and ready by the front door, and took a deep breath.
Grabbing the handle, she trailed it behind her as she stepped out of her tropical haven and towards the elevator.
Six floors down, the mid-morning Far North Queensland sunshine cast long shadows against the wall as she headed towards her car.
First up was a domestic flight to Brisbane, and then onto the international flights she was rostered on for the next week.
Dubai was her first shift. Then after a night there, it would be onwards to Amsterdam.
Four hours later, her pulse thrummed with every step she took on the gleaming floor of Brisbane Airport as her heels clicked against it in a steady beat.
As she passed through security then towards the Boeing 747 jumbo jet that she’d be calling home until they reached Dubai, the familiar scents of leather and disinfectant enveloped her when she stepped on board.
Once she’d stowed her luggage, she took a walk through the cavernous space of the business-class cabin where relaxing colours and soft shadows surrounded her, waiting to be filled with the lively hum of passengers and their conversations.
But for now, it was just her and her colleagues, and the thrilling promise of her next adventure.
Heading towards the galley so she could begin food preparation while waiting to board passengers, she suddenly collided with a tall man wearing a pilot’s uniform.
Before she could fully register what had happened, his strong hands steadied her by the shoulders, sending an unexpected jolt of recognition through her body.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t see …’ Her apology trailed off as she looked up and into Jay Maverick’s piercing blue eyes. ‘Oh my god, it’s …’ She cleared the shock from her throat. ‘You.’
‘Oh, hey, Zara …’ Against the dark interior of the plane, his gaze seemed to shine like clear skies waiting for their journey. ‘Monroe, if I recall?’ He exuded a sense of confidence that filled both the cockpit and the cabin around them.
He remembered her name! ‘Yes, that’s right.
’ Her return smile was a little wobbly. Fate was working in her favour, big time, and she was deeply grateful.
But now that he was here, in all his glorious flesh, within reach, she had no idea what to say, or what to do — to say she was overwhelmed would be an understatement.
Jay’s gaze flickered over her uniform, and the blue of his eyes seemed to intensify. ‘You’re an air hostess?’
‘Uh-huh, in the business-class cabin.’ She looked to his name badge. ‘And I see you’re a captain.’
‘Yes, a recent promotion,’ he said with a smile, his easy demeanour easing the tension in Zara’s chest. ‘I can’t believe we’ve run into each other again.’ He shook his head, and chuckled. ‘What a stroke of unbelievable luck.’
‘It sure is, Captain Maverick,’ Zara said with a flurry of butterflies in her belly, his name resonating like a melody on her tongue.
‘More like a stroke of destiny, though, I would say.’ It was a huge relief to have found her voice among the wild flutters.
‘I have to agree, Zara,’ Jay replied slowly but brightly.
‘I hoped we’d meet again, but I honestly never thought I’d bump into you, quite literally, on an international flight of all things. ’
‘Tell me about it; fate must have a wicked sense of humour,’ she replied with a light laugh, although, suddenly aware of their proximity and the commanding yet comforting presence he exuded, she couldn’t deny the nerves she felt.
‘Or impeccable timing,’ Jay added with a wider grin, the glint in his eyes hinting at how much he relished this second, serendipitous meeting. ‘So, you’re part of the crew on this flight to Dubai?’
His irresistible allure, his charisma, made her pulse quicken. ‘Yes, I am, and then on to Amsterdam for a few days before I pick up my next shift from there,’ she confirmed smoothly, despite the racing of her heart as he drew her further into all that was him without a single touch.
‘In that case, we’ll have plenty of time to catch up, because I’m heading to Amsterdam, too,’ Jay mused aloud, with a hopeful edge to his voice that mirrored the excitement building within her. ‘It sounds like we might be on a similar roster.’
‘Really?’ She couldn’t contain her excitement at the thought of exploring Amsterdam with this remarkable man.
‘Yes, really.’ His elated expression matched hers. ‘I understand Dubai is a super-quick layover, and we’ll both be tired and in need of sleep.’ His hand, so big, so strong, so calming, came to rest on her arm. ‘But I do hope you’d like to spend some time with me in Amsterdam.’
‘I’d love to.’ Zara’s smile lingered as they stood silent for a few breaths, as if they were breathing each other in. ‘I better get back to work.’ Before I kiss you, she wanted to add.
‘Yes, and I better get back to the cockpit,’ Jay said, stepping aside to let her pass as his gaze lingered on her just a moment longer. ‘I’m looking forward to getting to know you, Zara Monroe, very much.’
‘And me, you,’ she said with the butterflies multiplying and now fluttering into her heart.
‘Hang on, let me give you my home phone number, just in case we lose each other again, somehow, God forbid.’ Pulling a pen from his pocket, he scribbled onto a napkin plucked from beside him.
‘And I’ll write down the hotel in Amsterdam I’ll be staying at, which I’m gathering you might very well be, too, given the airline puts all their staff up in only a handful of chain hotels. ’
‘Thank you.’ Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the tangible link to their undeniable connection, hoping with all her might they were staying at the same place.
‘Oh, how wonderful, it looks like we are at the same hotel.’ The dark ink seemed to pulse with possibility, teasing at the romantic adventure that lay ahead.
‘Would you like me to give you my home number as well, just to be doubly sure we don’t lose each other again?
’ Any other man would have found her insistence off-putting, she was sure of it, but Jay seemed nothing but keen for it.
‘Sure, great thinking.’ He passed her his pen, and her fingers gracefully swept across another napkin. She even double-checked she’d made the numbers legible. ‘Here you go.’ She passed both pen and napkin back.
‘Thanks, Zara, this means we’ll definitely be keeping in touch.’ His smile was slow and easy, and his voice exuded warmth and intimacy.
Zara clutched the napkin he’d gifted her tightly, feeling its weight and significance in her palm. ‘Seems like it,’ she replied, gazing into his intense blue eyes, and in that breathtaking moment the exchange felt less like a casual transaction and more like a fateful binding of two souls.
‘Well, Miss Monroe, bye for now.’ He offered one last lingering smile before disappearing through the cockpit door.
For a lengthy twinkling of time, Zara stood frozen to the spot.
This was so uncanny that she almost believed she was about to wake up from some blissful dream.
But she wasn’t complaining. In fact, she wanted to run through the aisles, shrieking in delight.
Never in a bazillion years would she have believed a second encounter was possible.
But yet here they were, finding each other again. And so effortlessly.
Zara welcomed the passengers on board, her smile brighter than ever while attending to each one’s needs, but as they flew through the night sky, hours into their journey, she found herself drawn into the comfort of the cockpit with food trays for the pilots.
Jay’s presence instantly enveloped her, not just physically but emotionally too. ‘It’s a beautiful night for flying,’ she observed, taking in the glittering stars scattered across the velvet darkness of space.
‘There’s nothing quite like this view,’ Jay agreed, his gaze turning towards her.
‘I couldn’t argue with that.’ Her heart quivered. ‘Do you know what I love about flying the most?’ she pondered aloud, her gaze drifting from him and back towards the vastness.
‘I’m intrigued, so please tell me,’ he urged with a curious glance. ‘It’s like being suspended between moments, in a space where time stands still. It gives you room to reflect and dream in a way that you don’t get to when you’re on solid ground.’ She sighed as she smiled.
‘It sounds to me like it feeds your soul, Zara,’ he remarked, his voice gently understanding.
‘Exactly,’ she breathed, feeling seen and understood in a way that was both rare and exhilarating. Then, catching a perplexed glance from Jay’s co-pilot, she straightened and nodded. ‘Anyhow, I better let you two do your thing, and I’ll get back out there to do mine.’
‘Okay, thanks.’ Jay’s smile told her there were many things she was yet to discover.