Page 52 of Bride Games

Paige checked her watch.Thank goodness this is an evening game or I’d never make it.When a third airline employee sat on a stool behind the counter and began typing on a computer, the juggernaut finally broke. Paige was one person away from the counter.Come on. Come on.Naturally, she was behind an international traveler who had twenty questions as if he were performing onJeopardy. Sweet Jesus.

“Next!”

Paige stepped up to the desk and talked fast as if that would get her on an airplane sooner. “Hi, my flight was canceled. I must get to my destination tonight.” She paused. “It’s work related.”

The employee asked for her first name: “Paige.” The woman tapped so many keys Paige might as well have said, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Paige chuckled at the ridiculousness.

“Last name?”

Paige heard a male say, “Daniels” and swung around to lock eyes with her former fiancé, Trent, who stood two inches, if that, behind her. She could barely control her disdain. “What are you doing here?”

A wry smile spread across Trent’s face. “Standing in the customer service line, obviously. Same as you. Good to see you, Paige. Really good.”

“Hey, buddy,” Another male passenger shouted. “If you two are just chatting, mind if the rest of us take your place in line? Some of us aren’t here to score. We actually want toflysomewhere.”

Paige narrowed her eyes and stared the man down. “I can assure you I’m not here to score—not with him, anyway.”

“Ow,” Trent said. “You used to love to score with me. We were quite good at scoring, actually.”

A younger, impatient man in a pin-striped suit stepped up to the counter. “Since these two lovebirds aren’t concerned about their flights, will you help me? I have a keynote speech to present.”

Clearing her throat, Paige glared at both men. She pointed with her index finger and raised her voice. “Please step back. I was here first. This ismycounter for the next however many minutes it takes this-this airline employee to type out my destination, flight number, blood type, favorite hair product, or whatever the hell she needs to get me in the freaking air.” Paige caught the worker’s scowl. “Sorry. Please help me get to Minneapolis today. It’s important.”

The employee typed two dozen more keys, frowning with each stroke. “Sorry, ma’am. Every plane is down. Canceled.”

Paige’s mouth dropped open. “How is that possible?”

The employee shrugged. “It appears that every plane either has a mechanical, the crew is late, or there’s bad weather.” Sheglanced up from her computer screen and smiled. “Would you like a flight tomorrow morning? I can offer a voucher for a ho?—”

Paige felt her face get hot. “No, I wouldnotlike a flight tomorrow morning. The game is tonight. I need to get to the football game.”

“Bet you want to see Zachy-boy.” Trent’s voice was like honey-laced acid.

Paige grimaced at the pet name her former fiancé had given her coworker-turned-boyfriend. Scowling, she faced Trent. “You know his name is Zach. Grow up, Trent.”

The other guy piped up again. “Here we go again with the chitchat.” He sighed heavily as though he had been standing in line since the earth was formed.

“Be quiet, both of you. I’m trying to get out of here.” Paige watched as the employee clicked on several screens but shook her head.

“Sorry, ma’am. You aren’t going to Minnesota tonight.”

“Shit. I guess I just took a joy ride via plane. This is absurd. Of all the planes owned by this airline, there aren’t any available? Are you sure?”

“Positive.” The employee peered at the ever-growing line of people forming behind Paige. “I need a decision. Would you like a hotel voucher for tonight to fly to your destination in the morning?”

“Terrific. Just perfect,” Paige muttered as Trent said, “She’ll take the hotel voucher and morning flight, and so will I.” His voice softened as he placed his hand over hers. “Please let me buy you a drink. For old time’s sake. We would have been married by now, you know.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” the man behind Paige said. “Will you two get a fucking hotel room and let me get to the fucking counter?”

The airline employee snickered as Paige weighed her options. She could use a glass of wine. Just one. And then she could go to her hotel room—alone—and watch the game at least. Not all would be lost. Maybe she did owe it to Trent to hear him out after their awful breakup last year, which was crazily in an airport parking lot.Maybe this is some higher power telling me I didn’t handle our breakup convo well.

Paige addressed the attendant. “I’ll take a morning flight. Not first thing in the morning. Mid-morning. I’m not that eager to get back to work.”

Trent stayed planted in place. “Please book me on the same flight tomorrow morning. We’re from the same town. Actually, we’re both on television—or I am—she’s apparently doing”—he coughed either diplomatically or sarcastically, she couldn’t tell—"administrative work now. Behind the camera, you know.” He beamed. “I’m still the on-air talent.”

Paige knew she had made a grave mistake.Trent still has an ego the size of a redwood tree. Dammit.

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