Runway Romance (Love in the Air Trilogy) (6 page)

The man pulled two twenty dollar bills from his pocket. “Done.”

The other man did the same.

“Some Skirt is deciding our fate.”

“Hasn’t it always been that way?”

“Maybe so. Maybe so.”

Chapter Seven

Jenny had her bearings again, but couldn’t sweet talk her way past the last security check.

“Your flight doesn’t leave for several hours. Access is unavailable until one hour prior to your flight.” The man in uniform handed her a Security Rights and Responsibilities booklet.

“I have one of those already.”

“Have you read it?”

Jenny held her tongue and took a deep breath. Of course she’d read it. What was she, an illiterate idiot? She also knew there was a holding area beyond the final checkpoint that had internet access and couches that were comfortable enough to sleep on.

She just needed to convince the guard to let her pass. There was almost never more than one or two people in the mid-sized room and it was quiet; perfect for giving her a wide berth from Jessica.

Jenny took the booklet from the guard. “Thank you. I’ll read up on the policies. I’m sorry I wasn’t fully informed. You’re very kind to share this information. Is there a quiet place nearby where I could read it over?” With a feigned look of sincerity, Jenny gave her best Skirt impression. If they wanted dim-witted, she would give them dim-witted.

The guard smiled. “Glad to be of help. We have a waiting area just down the hall to your right. There’s a vending machine and a couple of couches; nothing fancy.”

“I’m sure it will be just fine. Thank you so much for your help.”

The guard allowed her to pass through after checking her credentials again.

As Jenny made her way down the corridor, she wondered why more terrorists didn’t try to infiltrate airplanes by becoming FAs. Sure, there was training to be done, but once you were approved and had completed a background check, you had access to numerous areas where items could be hidden to manufacture a bomb. Not that she knew what ingredients were needed to make a bomb, but it seemed plausible that one could be created while the plane was in flight.

“It’s a good thing they can’t screen our thoughts. I’d be grounded.”

“Jenny Collins, is that you?”

Jenny turned around to see Abby Chastaine heading toward her. She looked like a chaotic mix of every FA stereotype imaginable: hair swept up and tucked underneath a tidy hat, pastel pink suit with a small white name tag with wings emblazoned below her name, two-inch high heels that matched the color of her suit and a smile that impressed upon each passenger that they were the most important person on the plane.

And then there was the voice. Slightly breathy, as if a lover rolled over and asked her if she’d had a good time. Jenny could almost hear the reply: “Of course, darling. You’re the best lover I’ve ever had.” Did guys really buy that line, she wondered.

“Abby, how are you?”

The women exchanged air kisses, then settled into a stance that kept them at a slight distance, pronouncing to onlookers that they were merely acquaintances, not friends.

“Good, and you?”

“Good. Are you working today?”

“Why else would I look like this? Jenny, you kill me. I wish I could get away with a simple outfit like yours. People just seem to expect so much more from me now that I’ve won the Golden Wings award.”

“I heard about that. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. It’s really an honor just to be nominated.”

“You’ve received a lot of honors, then. How many years have you been nominated?”

“Well, let’s see.” Abby moved her right hand under her left elbow and stroked her chin with her fingers. “I guess it’s been at least ten years. Seems like forever when I count them all up.”

“Where are you heading today?”

“Baltimore. I’m combining the trip with a visit to see my brother, Craig. You remember him, the handsome man with the gorgeous muscles?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met him.”

“Sure you have. Everyone knows Craig. I think he’s dated half the flight crew in the U.S.”

“Maybe Kate knows him.”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, maybe I was thinking of Kate. She has such a passion for boys and their toys.”

“It was good seeing you again, Abby. I need to get going.”

“Oh, when’s your flight?”

“Soon. You take care. I’m sure we’ll run into one another again.”

“You take good care, Jenny, darling. You’re looking a bit pale. You really need to get some sun now and again.”

“I’ll remember that.”

They exchanged air kisses again and then headed in opposite directions.

Jenny sighed deeply. Maybe Rich was right, some flight attendants really were Skirts.

When she reached the holding room, Jenny was delighted to see she had the place to herself. She made herself comfortable, removing her shoes and placing her suit jacket over the back of the couch so it wouldn’t wrinkle while she waited for her flight.

Patricia was right, she wouldn’t have to spend so much time waiting around the airport if she’d get over her fear of the accident. Panic and anxiety flooded her nervous system whenever she thought about the experience.

“How does Rich do it? He’s got airplanes, passengers and other vehicles to watch out for. And he can’t even hear!”

Jenny ran her thumb across the palm of her right hand. Rich’s hand had been rough as it grazed hers earlier. A working man’s hands. It reminded her of her father’s words:
“
Never marry a man with smooth hands, Jenny. It means he’s soft, never done a hard days’ work. It’s good to work hard. It builds character. Everyone needs good character.”

“Do you think I have good character, Dad?”

Jenny’s words were met with the quiet hum of the vending machine, then the louder tick of the clock on the East wall.

She found Rich’s card in her pocket and retrieved her cell phone from her bag. She pressed the buttons as she tried to think of something to say.

“This is Rich.”

“Hi, Rich. It’s Jenny, Jenny Collins. We met this morning in the airport corridor.”

“Hey, Skirt.”

“I guess you remember me.”

“Yes, I do. I was only kidding with the Skirt comment.”

“I know. Don’t do it again.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Not that either. Just Jenny.”

“All right then. Hi just Jenny, how is your day going?”

“You know what I mean. It’s going okay. I was just wondering… I mean, if you have time some time… Would you, maybe, um…”

“I’d love to go out with you. Name the date and time and I’ll choose the place. Do you like Korean food?”

“Oh! That would be lovely. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten Korean food.”

“Did I miss something? You sound surprised.”

“I was going to ask you something else.”

“Now I feel pretty foolish. Should I take back my offer?”

“I hope you won’t. I’d really like to see you again.”

“When are you back in town?”

“I’m staying over one night in Utah. How about the fifteenth at seven o’clock?”

“Works for me. You’ll love Korean food.”

“It’ll be an adventure.”

“What were you going to ask me?”

“It was nothing. Just something I’ve been thinking about.”

“Come on. You were going to ask me before I interrupted you. What were you going to say?”

“I was going to ask if you might consider teaching me to drive.”

“I assumed you already knew how. Sure, I’ll teach you.”

“Really? You wouldn’t mind?”

“You’re not going to kill me, right?”

“I certainly hope not.”

“I need a more reassuring answer than that.”

“No. I’m not going to kill you.”

“Do you want to learn on an automatic or stick?”

“I’d like to learn both, but maybe an automatic first. And, I should probably tell you that I had a really bad experience in a car once.”

“I figured something must have happened. Most people are itching to learn to drive by the time they hit fifteen. We’ll go slow. You’ll be safe with me.”

“Thanks, Rich.”

“I’m really glad you called.”

“Me, too.”

Jenny smiled nervously. It was going to be an adventure, that was for sure.

Chapter Eight

Geri Bonds nodded at the waiting passengers as she joined Jenny behind the Ballinger Air boarding counter. “Sorry I’m late. Ben was throwing up all night and he wouldn’t let Carrie touch him. I hated to leave him this morning, but at least his temperature was finally below one hundred.”

“Flu?”

“That’s my guess.”

“Poor little guy.”

“His lungs still work fine.” Geri straightened her suit jacket and gazed over Jenny’s shoulder at the check-in list. “Six still haven’t arrived?”

“Yeah. Two in first class.”

“The rest of FC has already been seated, right?”

“Yep. Half an hour ago. Randee Griffiths is on it.”

“I didn’t even look past your name when I was checking the flight crew this morning. I was sure glad to see you on the list.”

“I got your back.”

“That’s why I was glad.”

Aida Brown joined the duo. “We’re ready to board coach.”

“I’m on it,” Jenny said as she switched places with Geri so she could man the computer terminal while announcing that they were now boarding.

“You’ve got the bug,” Aida said, smiling at Jenny.

“Do I look sick?”

“Not that kind of bug. The excited about flying bug. Your cheeks are flushed and your eyes are sparkling.”

“She always gets that way,” Geri said. “I think she should take flying lessons and become a pilot.”

Jenny didn’t have a chance to reply. Passengers were heading toward the corridor leading to the plane and she needed to check boarding passes and welcome them, as well as make sure their carry-on baggage met airline requirements.

Aida joined her and in no time flat all the passengers except a few stragglers were on board.

Jenny watched as Geri read a text as discreetly as possible.