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Gabriel chuckles and I look over at him. He’s still flipping through the magazine. “That’s not it at all. Ford’s got a phobia of flying.”

I blink a few times. That can’t be right. “Ford’s not afraid of anything,” I blurt out.

Gabriel chuckles again. “That’s adorable. Haven’t you ever noticed that when it comes time to travel for work, it’s always Hayden or myself going? Ford always stays behind.”

I did notice, but I figured that was just Ford choosing to hold down the fort. I don’t have him in my phone as Mr. Freeze for nothing. I thought that was just Gabriel or Hayden being better with clients. I can’t believe that Ford, so imposing and powerful, is afraid of flying.

Ford grits his teeth. “I’m not afraid of flying,” he manages to grind out through his clenched jaw. “It’s just the taking off and the landing.”

“May I ask why?” I can’t help it, I’m curious.

Ford gets even more tense but just stares out the window, jaw set.

“All right, lady and gentlemen,” the pilot says over the intercom system. “We have been cleared for takeoff, so please take your seats and buckle up, and we’ll be in Denver before you know it.”

I sit down and do as I’m told. My seat is across from Ford’s, and I can see just how tense he really is. I’ve seen this man handle million-dollar work emergencies and stare down powerful CEOs without breaking a sweat. But here he is, gripping the seat, skin pale.

The plane starts moving down the tarmac. Ford looks even more tense. He actually even looks like he might throw up.

I never in a million years would’ve imagined Ford could feel fear like this. My heart aches for him. I understand what it’s like to feel so afraid you’re going to be sick, even if my struggles are different from his. And I know that if it’s a phobia then no matter how logical you are about it, no matter how many times you know that you’re actually okay, your body doesn’t get the memo.

Before I can stop myself, before my brain can talk me out of the sheer audacity of it, I reach out across the aisle and put my hand over his. It’s a simple, impulsive gesture.

I’m sure that he’ll shake me off, maybe even say something cutting, but instead, after a moment that stretches for an eternity, Ford flips his hand over and grips my hand tightly. His palm is warm, his grip strong, almost crushingly so.

I squeeze his hand reassuringly and let him hold on as tight as he needs while we take off. Ford breathes slowly and deeply, clearly doing breathing exercises. I don’t say anything. I just keep a tight hold on his hand so that he feels grounded.

Ford keeps his grip on my hand until we level off and the pilot announces that we’ve reached cruising altitude. Then he lets go, clearing his throat as he turns to stare out the window.

I retract my hand. I don’t want him to feel embarrassed about his fear of flying, but I don’t know what to say that won’t just add to that. My hand tingles from where our skin touched.

The flight attendant enters the main cabin a few minutes later with a cart laden with food. “Here we are!”

She passes the meals to the three men, then stops the cart in front of me and helps me set up my table. There are so many options, and everything smells wonderful. My mouth waters at the sight of it all, but I can’t help glancing over at the others before I take a bite. I’m not some skinny Minnie, and I’ve gotten cruel comments before when I eat too… enthusiastically.

But Gabriel just cocks a brow, gesturing to the food. “Bon appétit.”

Ford glances over, looking a bit less tense as the corner of his mouth flickers upward briefly into a smile.

Hayden’s not even paying attention. He’s back on his phone now that we’re allowed to use electronic devices.

Satisfied that none of them are going to judge me, I tuck into the food. It really is amazing, and I end up sharing some with Gabriel, who seems curious about some of the things I ordered. I mentally take notes about everything, what worked, what I might do differently. I know that my dream of owning a restaurant might still be far away, but if I can pull off this little charade with Ford, it could actually happen, and I want to be prepared. Besides, it’s always just a good habit, to be aware and know what recipes I might like to try for myself.

After eating, I’m exhausted from not sleeping all night, so I recline my chair back all the way, grab the pillow and blanket, and try to take a nap. As I drift off, I hear Ford say something quietly to the flight attendant. A moment later, the lights dim.

That was thoughtful of him, I think. It’s my last thought before I slip under.

When I wake up with a yawn some time later, I feel incredibly refreshed. Honestly, this plane seat is almost more comfortable than my own bed.

As I sit up and stretch, I notice that the cabin has been cleaned up. Ford and Hayden are passing a tablet back and forth, apparently silently arguing about something that’s probably work related. Gabriel is reading some book in French.

“Are we almost there?” I ask.

Hayden jolts a little as if I startled him, then gets up, handing the tablet off to Ford and heading for the front of the cabin.

“Yes,” Ford says. “We should be landing shortly. You have good timing.”

I nod, then frown as I glance down at my phone. It’s much later than I expected. We were supposed to have landed a couple of hours ago.