“Yes. That means the polite thing to do is to leave them alone to conduct said business. In other words, no making conversation, no exchanging names, no personal details. Understand?” He couldn’t be any more direct than that.
“Are you a businessman?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re conducting business?”
“That’s not your concern. What I’m trying to explain in the most delicate way possible is that I would like to be left alone. Do you understand?”
Maisy used her index finger to figuratively zip her lips closed. “Got it.”
“Good.” And then, because he realized he’d come off as a jerk, he added, “Thank you.”
He closed his eyes and wondered, once again, if this day could possibly get any worse.
Chapter Two
Maisy concentrated on reading her novel and did her best to ignore Mr. Grump. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to concentrate, her mind wandered, her thoughts spun, as she reviewed their brief conversation. When she’d first noticed him, something she couldn’t precisely name struck her, something beyond his impatience and foul mood.
Whatever was happening in his life had clearly upset him. It was in the intensity in his eyes, as if he carried a heavy weight. It seemed as though he’d come to the end of his rope. From the way he spoke and moved, it was apparent this airport was the last place on earth he wanted to be.
He’d said he was a businessman. Yet he didn’t seem to be working, as he’d implied he would be. When she was confident he wouldn’t notice, she turned to study him. He appeared to find the seat uncomfortable and fidgeted, seemingly unable to find aposition to his liking. Every few minutes or so, he scrolled through his phone and then exhaled in frustration. Irritation radiated off him like a bad sunburn. Likely it was some matter out of his control. Mr. Grump was clearly a man who needed to be in charge. Whatever it was that caused this unexpected interruption in his life had taken away his control.
An hour into the flight, the attendant came through with lunch. Mr. Grump waved it away without even asking what was being served. Instead, he ordered a glass of red wine and then complained when it arrived chilled.
“You should always serve red wine at room temperature,” he told the male attendant. “Take it back.”
The flight attendant accepted the wine and ignored the comment. “Miss,” he said to her. “Did you want lunch?”
“Yes, please.” Maisy fully intended to enjoy every aspect of her first-class experience.
“Set up your tray and I’ll return with your meal.”
“Thank you.” Only Maisy had trouble finding the tray. When she sat in coach, the tray was located on the back of the seat in front of her. That wasn’t the case in first class. Twisting and turning in an awkward search, she accidentally bumped arms with Mr. Grump.
“Sorry,” she said. “I can’t seem to find where they hid the tray.”
Without a word, Mr. Grump reached over and lifted the flap on the padded armrest between them to indicate where it was stored.
“Oh,” she said brightly. “Thanks. I’d never have guessed it was there.”
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, shutting her out.
The flight attendant delivered her meal. Maisy looked over the plate, and her eyes rounded with delight. “This is amazing,” she said. The chicken-and-rice dish with stir-fried vegetables looked delicious. The dinner roll was warm enough to melt the butter, and the dessert was a peanut-butter cookie. The meal was far better than expected.
“Can I get you anything more?” he asked.
“Water, please,” Maisy told him as she spread the linen napkin across her lap. “And thank you.”
“And you, sir?”
Mr. Grump sighed. “If you have white wine, bring me that. Only make sure it’s chilled.”
“Coming right up,” the attendant returned pleasantly.
The Grump mumbled something that sounded like he needed to be saved from people who insisted on being cheerful.
Maisy glared back at him, her own frustration with him starting to mount again. The man was being a jerk to everyone. Telling him exactly what she thought of him and the way he spoke to others was on the tip of her tongue when she remembered something her beloved grandmother often repeated.
