Page 11 of Two Tickets to Paradise

They both laughed and she only stopped when her sides started to hurt. "I guess our likes aren't that different."

Vince shook his head. "Nope. I guess not."

"Hmm... I guess we could hang out," she gestured at the world around them, "outside of the airport."

His expression changed just a little. How, she couldn't quite understand. It was something in his eyes and maybe in his smile, too. When he spoke, she thought she might just understand what it meant. "I'd like that."

Her heart swelled in her chest and she had a feeling that her cheeks were pinking up in a giddy rush of color. "Me, too."

They both took sips of their drinks and while she was enjoying all of the amazing chocolate in hers, her thoughts were going miles and miles a minute. She knew the reality of the reports that were coming in even as she was searching for other flights.

Still, she could hope for him.

And if she was honest, herself, too.

She wanted to spend a little time with him. It wasn't all that easy to meet someone living in Chicago. It wasn't just the town. She worked hard. She worked long hours and rarely went out unless it was after a shift to a place where she could get a bite to eat and not have people pressing in on her, needing something. She was used to catering to the needs of others, so it was nice to take some time to just be herself. To just enjoy her time.

Just like she was doing at the moment.

Sitting with Vince was crazy. Enjoying her time with him gave her a thrill, but she also felt like she was withholding information from him.

Both of their phones chimed, and while Cora avoided looking at her screen, Vince looked at his.

His expression fell a little more. "Another notice from the weather service."

The drink she was enjoying seemed to sour in her belly. The food that they picked up was left untouched at her side.

"The storm looks like it might stick around for a bit."

"So," she took a moment to figure out what exactly to ask him, "do you have any idea of what you'll do if you can't get back home for the holiday?"

He let out a sigh and she hated that she'd put a negative thought into his head, but she hoped that she could give him some options if he didn't already have back-up plans.

"I know that they're going to put out a decent spread at the mess hall for Turkey day. And I think a few of the guys are going to watch a game. There might be a sports bar or six around the base with the game on."

"Are you big on football?" She smiled, hoping that he'd enjoy that at the very least.

Vince shook his head. "Not really. I mean, don't tell the men I work with that I'm not a huge football fan, but while I was good at sports, I was more of a soccer player than football. I did go to the football games in high school, but that was more because of the-"

"Cheerleaders?"

As soon as she spoke, she wished she hadn't.

"That's a little judgy, sorry."

He shook his head. "Hey, whatever you're into is great with me."

They both chuckled at his words.

"But I went to the games because the band was crazy good. They had these dances they'd do in the stands and I had a cousin who was a tuba player. I got a kick out of watching him heft that thing across the field during halftime performances. He was good at it and it was fun to be a part of the school stuff that wasn't something I had to actively do, like JROTC and Flag Ceremonies."

"That sounds like fun. So I'm guessing that you're going to watch the football games for the half-time shows?"

He shrugged again. "Maybe I'll head out on the lake. I have a few friends with boats that always want an extra hand on deck."

"So, Navy, huh?"

"Navy." He nodded. "Is that okay?"

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