Page 41 of Flight of Fancy

Arianna snapped out of her stupor. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“No matter what, you ladies are some of the most talked about in the airline industry. It was true when you were working for Singapura, and it’s true now. I work closely enough with your sphere to hear positive comments. I know a thing or two about Bowen, and I know a lot about concierge service in the sky. Royal Asia has curated quite a reputation in little time. I’m sure they want to capitalize on that by showcasing the very women who make them the talk of the town. If you’ve been singled out as the representative for the kebaya-wearing cabin crew, then you’ve set yourself apart as someone special. Take it, Aria. If not for your ego, then because you know exactly how to walk, speak, and act as a representative of your airline. That’s what they’re looking for, isn’t it?”

“But someone like Charmaine…”

“To be blunt, I’ve flown in your plane enough times by now to see that while Charmaine is perfectly adept for First Class, she’s still got a ways to go to reach your level. Your service is impeccable, Aria.”

Once again, she was caught off guard by Elle’s comments. “Is that why you fell for me?”

“Suppose so. You’re my kind of perfect.”

Arianna sheepishly smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Elle took her hand on the table. “I’d invite you to stay the night again, but I think we both have to get up early tomorrow. I know I do. I’ve got one last early meeting before checking out and heading to the airport for the flight back to LA.”

“Right. I’ll see you on the plane. Then in LA…”

Arianna’s hand was completely engulfed. “We’ll be too tired to do anything but fall asleep watching the local news.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Although…” Arianna slowly slid her hand out from beneath Elle, choosing to assert her grip on the woman who had been a pleasant constant those past few months. “I hope we’ll have some energy to do something… fun?”

“That also sounds perfect.”

They exchanged a sweet yet lingering kiss before Arianna showed herself out of the Lion Orchard. On the lonely elevator ride down to the lobby, she caught a glance of her reflection in the metal siding and said, “Now that’s a face for TV.”

Funny how her sister couldn’t convince her to do what Elle so easily had.

Chapter 14

After so many dreamy nights with the woman of her dreams, Elle found it odd to go two weeks without seeing Arianna again. Strange, since I was hoping for more time at home. Not that she knew why. Every time she returned to Seattle, she realized that there wasn’t much here for her anymore. The penthouse was luxurious and the food nearby was the stuff written about in travel guides, but most of Elle’s friends were in other cities, and her fellow board members? So scattered around the West Coast that she had half a mind to fly down to San Francisco to bother Isaac and his partner.

Yet the last thing Elle wanted right now was to fly more. She was perfectly content to keep both feet on the ground while working from home, taking calls, video chatting, and playing Lo-Fi beats while going over spreadsheets and typing up reports for the next big board meeting.

Flying was only worth it if Arianna was there.

They spent many of Elle’s evenings chatting online. When Arianna had a layover in LA the following week, they spoke on the phone, which quickly degenerated into the kind of talk that wasn’t for polite company. Elle wished she was “with it” enough to remember the bulk of their dirty talk the following day, but she was so tired, so distracted by work and the recent traveling that all she could do was stare at her office wall while the VP of Finance droned on in her headphones.

The cycle of work, eat, and sleep meant that even on her rare days off she struggled to think of anything else to do. Without someone like her ex around, she couldn’t simply rely on another person deciding what movie to see, what party to attend, or what event to consider once Elle had room to breathe. That was one of the things she missed most about a steady relationship. Almost more than the physical companionship that sometimes only amounted to cuddling on the couch or sharing kisses goodnight.

So when her ex Pamela asked if she could drop by to pick up the very last of her things, Elle jumped on the chance to talk to someone – even if it was someone from her recent past.

“I had no idea you were still in town.” Pam helped herself into the apartment as if she still lived there. Elle wondered what that kind of familiarity did to a woman who had already moved on with someone else. “I swear this is the last of what I had packed up. Some summer clothes that didn’t make sense to prioritize back when I… you know.”

Left? Elle wanted to keep this interaction pleasant, though. There was that part of her who wanted Pamela to remain a friend, even if it sounded ridiculous. How many people are friends with their exes? Elle knew they existed, but she figured there was a reason it wasn’t the norm in her life.

“Yeah, the boxes on the top shelf in the bedroom closet?” Elle led the way back there.

“Yup. That should be the one unless you moved it.”

“I am not home enough to move much of anything around.”

Pamela hesitated before matching her stride. “So, you’ve completely jumped headfirst into this new venture, huh? That’s awesome.”

Only because I no longer have you to worry about. What Elle would also not say was that she had needed the distraction being a board member of Royal Asia offered when her relationship blew up. For as little as we fought leading up to it… Elle had not been shocked. Sad, but not surprised.

“How are things in the new place?” she asked when Pam grabbed a stepstool from the bedroom and helped herself into the walk-in closet. “You live near Pike Place now, right?”

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