Page 17 of Once Bitten

“I’ll see you at the baggage claim in Paris. I trust you to get through immigration without getting arrested, ok?”

I turned and practically sprinted away from him. I couldn’t believe I was finally going on my dream trip, and my nightmare past was coming with me.

***

“Ladies and gentleman, the captain has now turned off the fasten seatbelt sign however, for your own safety, we ask that you keep your seatbelt fastened while seated.”

A symphony of metal clatters erupted around me, as was usual right after take-off, everyone getting up to put jackets away or grab their laptops. I used to think that traveling business class would be all about luxury, but most people really were on business, trying to get as much work or sleep in as possible before they landed and if they were anything like Larry and me, a week of back to back meetings awaited them.

I unclasped my seatbelt and reached for the overhead compartment for my laptop. As I sat down, I noticed the flight attendant kneel down and whisper something to the passenger next to me. They then gathered up her things and left together, weaving up the aisle towards the front of the plane.

“That’s weird.” I mumbled to myself. “I hope she’s ok.” I’d had a short chat to her during take off and she’d mentioned that she wasn’t feeling so great.

“Oh, I imagine she’s going to be just fine.” I heard Finn’s voice say.

I sank into my seat, clutching my laptop to my chest looking up at him.

“What are you doing here?”

He ignored me as he pushed his carry on into the overhead compartment and sat in the recently vacated seat next to me, waving to a FA as she passed by.

“Excuse me, miss? Can I bother you for a Hennessey on ice? Whenever you have a moment, no rush.” He fussed with his seat belt for a moment and pulled his tray half open in preparation for his drink. “Hey these seats aren’t half bad. Could do without this separator thing though.” He pushed some buttons and I watched the metal barrier between our seats sink down between the arm rests. He winked at me; I scowled back.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him again.

“Well, you seemed SO worried that I was going to singlehandedly cause the company to go under, I asked to swap seats so we could talk. Business.”

“Business?”

“Yes, Kara, this IS a work trip, you know, we’re not just here so you can be woo’ed by my irresistible charm.”

I snorted so loud the neighboring passengers turned their heads.

“It’s ok, everyone, my babysitter’s just trying not to fall in love with me.” He said loudly, waving his hand.

“Stop calling me that!”

“You’re the one who said that’s what you are,” he shrugged and flashed his grin at the FA as she handed him his drink and some extra packets of peanuts and a hand towel.

I shook my head. Leopards and their spots.

“So, are you dating any one?” He asked nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink before tearing his peanuts open.

“I’m not telling you.” Apparently I’d reverted back to being 17 years old again.

“So, what’s your cat’s name then?” He crunched on a peanut and held the open bag out to me, his face unreadable.

I reached out to push his hand away only to snap it back as a sharp static spark zapped between our fingers.

“Ow!” He yelped. “No need to bite, geez.”

“I didn’t bite.”

“Then what was it?”

“It was a spark between us!”

He grinned, “I know, I just wanted to hear you admit it.”