Page 2 of Arrogant Arrival

“16B!”

She’s gotta be messing with me. 16B is probably some eighty-five-year-old man wearing flip flops and socks like the typical tourists in Florida wear. I can’t help it, though. I look around her, and there in seat 16B is most definitely not a geriatric tourist, instead it’s a striking man. A little older than me, but not enough to be a deal breaker.Could this be fate?No.But what are the odds?I can’t stop myself from getting a little excited. We’d just been joking around about my Mr. Right being in 16B, and lo and behold—there he sits.

“Do you want to go through and do the seatbelt checks? Give a little extra yank on 16B’s strap?” Lana asks me with an arched brow.

“Don’t mind if I do.” I straighten my shoulders and perk the girls up as I look down at my well-endowed bosom. When I get to 16B, I smile and tilt my head. He has sandy blond hair styled neat and clean, bright blue eyes, a strong jaw line, and perfect, pouty, kissable lips.

He gives me a panty-dropping crooked smile and says, “Hi. I can already tell this is going to be an enjoyable flight.” Not wanting to make my interest in him too obvious, I smile and keep going, looking back over my shoulder as I brush past him. When I make it to the back of the plane, there’s a few passengers still standing. Some putting luggage in the overhead bin and a few exiting the restrooms. One is an attractive blond in a short, bright yellow dress who lightly bumps into me as she exits.

“Excuse me.” She giggles.

“Not a problem, ma’am.”

I get a whiff of overpowering perfume, but it still doesn’t cover the evident alcohol on her breath.Great.It’s not uncommon for some people to drink a little to ease their nerves before a flight. It’s when they go past the point of easing their nerves that problems happen. Let’s hope this little ray of sunshine stays in her seat.

I tell her and other stray passengers to please find their seats because the plane is about to taxi.

After we go through safety precautions and are in air, Trip’s soothing voice comes over the intercom. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman, this is your Supreme Commander, otherwise known as Captain Clynes.”

I close my eyes and sigh. Captain Clynes goes through our cruising altitude and travel time. I wait for what Beatles song he will choose to sing. It used to only be “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” but ever since Kendall, hissomeone, he’s been changing it up.

“Again, welcome aboard International Airlines.” Then he begins singing today’s chosen Beatles’ song…“ I Feel Fine.”

Of course.As I listen to the lyrics I can easily tell why he chose that one. He bought her a diamond ring, they’re in love and they feel fine. Would I feel fine if I was in love? I wouldn’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever truly been in love since I keep falling for these restless pilots. When we settle at a safe, cruising point Lana comes to me and smirks.

“Come on, Jo. Go through again and see how Mr. Hottie in 16B is doing.”

“You’re right. I do need to go check on the passengers. See if I can be of someassistance.”Instead of worrying about hunky pilots who are not available.Not that I really want a relationship with Trip anymore. I just can’t help but look at the idea longingly and want exactly what I don’t have. Love.

When I’m almost to 16B, an elderly lady in 15B gets my attention. “I’m sorry, dear, but do you have blankets for purchase? I get cold very easily. I had a blanket, but I guess I forgot it. Ha. I can’t keep up with anything anymore.”

I smile. “Not a problem. I’ll be right back.”

Right as I’m turning to go retrieve a blanket, I hear a woman’s voice speak. “Good thing I have you to keep me warm.”

Still smiling, I turn back around to find 16B being cuddled next to the woman I saw earlier exiting the restrooms.Sunshine. Or make that – Slutty Sunshine.Her dress is riding dangerously high up her thigh. He doesn’t meet my eyes, but she looks at me with an embarrassed giggle. Forcing my smile to remain in place, I spin on my heels to go retrieve the lady’s blanket.

As I’m pushing the drink cart down the aisle, I come face to face with 16B and he’s smirking at me. The giggly woman next to him is now sleeping, and I can’t help but notice they are both wearing gold bands on their left hands.

“Can I offer you a beverage, sir?”

He raises his eyebrows, “Did you know the human body is seventy-five percent water?”

“That’s very interesting. Is there anything I can get you?”

“Well, I’m looking at a tall glass of water right now, and I’m very thirsty.” Then he winks.

Oh God. He can’t be serious. 16B just became Mr. Sleazy.Inwardly I cringe at how I actually thought this guy was hot not too long ago.“Would you like to wake yourwifeto see if she’d like a beverage?”

Both his eyebrows rise at that. I think I’ve put him in his place, but he shocks me further. “I’ve not known her to ever turn down a drink. Especially one that looks so fresh and sweet. We’re open to trying anything.”Is he saying what I think he is?“O-kay.” I quickly open the bottle of water and pour two cups. Instead of handing them to him directly, I place them on the tray out of fear of accidently touching this guy and sending him thewrongsignal. I’m so flustered, I almost don’t realize I still have many more rows of passengers to service. Quickly, I finish offering drinks—actual drinks—to the rest of the plane and then rush to the back of the plane to Lana and Renee.

“16B is definitelynotMr. Right,” I tell Lana and Renee. “Ugh…I’m so ready for this flight to be over.”

“Don’t give up hope, Jo. He’ll come when you least expect it,” Lana offers.

“Yeah. Think of it as he’s experiencing a delay.” Renee smiles.

“Hardy-har-har, ladies.”

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