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She hasn’t asked for her book back. That’s a good sign, I suppose.
“Flight 984 to Miami is now boarding.”
I tuck my bookmark between the pages and safely stash the book in my bag. The line is short; the crowd light. I look for her down the airport halls. I look again, desperate for a pencil skirt or a purposeful stride or... anything.
Still, she’s not here.
I board the flight alone. I find our seats. I shove my carry-on away and take my seat by the aisle, quickly reaching for the seatbelt and securing myself down. Lights flash through the open windows from around the runway. My heart races. It’s still so dark...
After several minutes of boarding passengers passing by, dragging their luggage behind them, Paige appears at the front of the plane. My stomach leaps with relief, but I say nothing as she steps forward and joins me.
“Sorry,” she says as she lifts her carry-on up to stash it away. “I had a phone call.”
I nod, feeling a light stab of guilt for not offering to help with her bag, but it’s too late now. She settles into the window seat next to mine. “Your mother?” I ask.
“No,” she says. “Graham, actually.”
“Anything I need to know?”
They close the doors. I flinch.
“No,” Paige answers. Hard and brief.
A flight attendant appears next to me. “Can I get you two anything before take-off?” she asks.
“No,” I say.
“No, thank you,” Paige says.
She wanders off. I say nothing more. Paige says nothing more as she turns away from me and glances out the window.
Soon, the engines rumble. I feel my pulse skip in my chest, steadily pounding against my ribs. I squeeze my armrests. I remind myself of how many flights come and go every day without incident. How many flights I’ve taken in my life. I know what to expect, but the feeling of my stomach folding in on itself gets no easier.
The plane moves, steadily aligning itself with the runway.
It’ll be fine, I tell myself. Before I know it, we’ll be in the air. The dark, empty sky full of other planes and...
Christ, I need a distraction.
I look at Paige. She doesn’t look at me.
I’m on my own. The lone wolf Liaison. Just like I always wanted.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Our speed increases.
I bite down.
I dig my fingers into the armrests.
I close my eyes and count the moments until this is over.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Breathe—
Something touches the back of my hand. Something soft and warm.
