Page 47 of One Night with the Grump Next Door

I was almost about to leave the house when Sam tried to stop me. I came down to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee.

“Where are you going?” asked Sam. He’d been watching TV, but he shut it off and stood up as I passed him.

“I’m going away for a day or two,” I explained.

Sam looked at me. His expression was sullen and brooding.

“You’re going to see him, aren’t you?” he said.

I’d never been afraid of Sam, but this feud with Jake had grown until I hardly recognized my brother anymore.

“Sam, please. It’s not like that. Jake needs my help.”

“He needs you to baby him, to make up for his shitty family. He needs to use you. That’s what you mean.”

“You’re a joke,” I said and went for the front door.

“Stop!” cried Sam. “Alicia, if you go to him, you’re choosing to be unhappy.”

“Leave me alone, Sam,” I said, nonchalantly, and stepped out of the door.

An hour later, I’d checked in at the airport and was waiting patiently for my flight in the departure lounge. When my assigned seating was called, I went up and presented my boarding pass to the woman at the front desk. I almost didn’t recognize her, but when she looked up, her eyes widened, and she looked astonished.

“Oh. My. God.Alicia?”

I studied her expression for a moment.

“Karen! Oh my god, it’s so great to see you.”

I reached out and instinctively gave her a hug before apologizing. “Oops,” I said. “Sorry. Kinda forgot you’re at work right now. How did you end up working for TWA?”

“Well, after Bolar Air closed, I didn’t have much of a choice. It’s good, though. How about you? Where are you right now?”

“CAA. I’m headed down to L.A. for the big conference meeting today.”

“That’s amazing,” she said. “Hey,” she whispered conspiratorially. “We have a cancellation in first class today. Would you like to have a free upgrade?”

“Well, sure!” I said, laughing. I wasn’t exactly in the mood to celebrate, but it was a nice perk. “You’re the best.”

“No worries, hon,” Karen replied. “Enjoy the flight.”

I went down the tunnel and boarded the plane, where I was shown to my new, rather plush seat at the front of the plane. It was amazingly spacious. I’d occasionally flown business and first class before, on the occasional trip. But I was impressed nonetheless. Being on the plane would give me a good chance to relax.

Or at least, I thought it would.

I’d just sat down and unpacked my headphones. I said no to the lunch option: I was feeling far too nervous to eat. I tried to sit back in my chair and relax.

Then, the funniest thing happened.

Dr. Knightly walked past me.

She didn’t even notice me, but I saw her. Even without her doctor’s coat on, I could recognize her stiff posture. She stepped in front of me, and I saw her sit down, maybe three or four rows ahead.

I peered around the corner.What was Dr. Knightly doing on a plane to L.A.?

I wanted to say hello, to ask her what she was doing there. But I didn’t want anyone to know I was there. So, I slid down into my seat and stayed low while the cabin crew prepped for takeoff.

WetoucheddowninL.A. four hours later. It was 1:15 p.m. local time, and I was impatient to leave. Jake was probably already meeting Tom as I sat there, tapping my foot. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we’d docked.

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