Page 120 of My Real Love Affair

“I didn’t build it.” I shrugged. “And I’ve been in planes like this a hundred times. I stopped noticing the details years ago. My family owns several.”

“Do they own this one?”

I shook my head. “No. I chartered this one. I wasn’t interested in them getting to have a say in where I go. I haven’t used the family planes in years.”

“That’s insane.” She gestured around. “This is the most luxurious thing I’ve ever seen, and you stopped noticing?”

“When you grow up with it, it just becomes normal.” But watching her marvel at everything? That made me seeit differently. Made me appreciate what I’d always taken for granted.

And kind of made me feel like a world-class jerk for not noticing just how good my life was. Yes, there was a lot of responsibility and drama, but I had it better than most.

The flight attendant brought us a tray of appetizers, more fancy stuff I usually ignored.

“Thank you.” Melody smiled at her.

The attendant smiled back and then looked at me. I was sure I saw something I didn’t like. She was flirting with me. I looked at her and shook my head. I wanted it made very clear I was not interested.

And then that’s when it hit me.

Oh shit.

I knew her.

Well, I didn’t know her name, but I knew her in the biblical sense. I was pretty sure she was my attendant on a flight about six months ago. She simply smiled and then walked away.

Melody tried everything with the enthusiasm of someone experiencing their first meal.

“Oh my god, what is this?” She held up something that looked like a tiny piece of toast with stuff on it.

“Crostini with truffle pâté, I think.”

“It’s amazing.” She took another. “How do you not just eat these all day?”

“Because I’m an idiot who doesn’t appreciate what he has.” I pulled her closer on the wide seat. “But you’re teaching me. Making me see things differently.”

She kissed my cheek. “Good. Because this is incredible and you should be impressed by your own life.”

We settled in for the flight. I found myself asking questions I’d never bothered to ask before. About her childhood, her parents, what made her who she was.

“Tell me about your family,” I said. “Your parents are in Belize, right?”

“Yeah, for half the year. They’re basically snowbirds now, except they escape to somewhere warm year-round instead of just winter.” She smiled, and I could see the affection in her expression. “They’re characters. Both of them.”

“What do they do?”

“My dad worked in accounting for the police department. Super steady, very practical, very ‘plan for retirement’ kind of guy.” She was playing with my fingers now, an unconscious gesture that I loved. “My mom was the opposite. Total entrepreneur. She owned this cute little soup and sandwich shop when I was growing up. Made everything from scratch. It was her dream.”

“Was?”

“They sold it when I was twelve. She was ready for something new.” Melody laughed. “That’s my mom. Always onto the next thing. You are a lot alike, I think. She started a travel agency after that, and that’s how she discovered Belize. Fell in love with it on a scouting trip and basically never wanted to leave.”

“So you got your business sense from her.”

“And my dad’s practicality. He’s the one who taught me to save money, plan ahead, not make impulsive decisions.” She shot me a look. “Which is why this trip is making him have a mild heart attack.”

“You told your parents?”

“I texted my mom. Who immediately told my dad. Who immediately started asking about safety protocols and whether I had done a background check on you.”