So he wasn’t terribly intimidated by anything.
I rubbed my hand in my hair.
“Do any of the girls need help before we settle this? New jobs? Doctors bills?”
“I’ll find out.”
I nodded and picked up my phone. My little sister was in the US this week. She had flown over to New York and was chilling with my brother, who flew up from Florida. None of them were in the family business. She was an art dealer and he was in the military. I wanted to fly over and see them, but it wasn’t in the cards. The truth was, now that I had taken over, having them here was a liability. But I was texting them about a dozen times a day.
I loved seeing the pictures of the two goofy kids taking in the sights like a couple of tourists.
In about half the pictures, they were giving me the finger. In the other half, they were drinking alcohol. I grinned and decided to have a drink with my lunch.
I glanced at my watch. It was eleven in the morning. So I’d have a drink before my lunch. Who the fuck cared what I did anyway?
No one. Except maybe for Tiny.
I poured myself a glass of bourbon and sipped it slowly, staring into space.
Chapter Two
Theresa
“Would you like to sit by the window?”
I was settling into my seat on the aisle when the business man by the window caught my attention. I smiled gratefully and accepted.
“Thank you. That is very kind of you. It is my first time on a plane.”
“An accent. So you are going on an adventure, not returning from one.”
“Yes,” I said as I slipped into the seat. He sat back down again. I noticed he took the middle seat, even thought the aisle was empty. I got settled, putting my carryon under the seat in front of me, adjusting my seat belt, and looking out the window at the people buzzing around the plane just below.
“Your English is excellent.”
I smiled and nodded politely but did not encourage further conversation. It was hard not to notice he was staring at my legs. I tensed as his eyes roamed freely up my body and then back down again. As soon as the stewardess walked by, I asked for a blanket and covered myself up.
He finally looked away after that.
My phone buzzed with a text in the group chat.
Terri, call me when you land
I smiled. Evie had become the big sister I never had. She and Frankie had hatched the plan to get me to the states.
Call both of us! Francesca demanded.
I will. I promise!
Don’t eat the nuts.
Have wine!
I laughed and texted back.
I don’t think they serve nuts anymore, but there is a skeevy guy sitting next to me.
She’s right about the nuts, Francesca texted.
Can you change seats? Move to first class!
I am fine here, I affirmed. They had tried to get me a first class ticket but I had begged them not to. I already owed them so much.
Do not drink the wine. Unless you brought a bottle from our vineyards!
I wish I had, I texted with feeling. I was nervous. So nervous. They announced that it was time to turn off electronic devices so I switched off my cellphone and tucked it into my bag.
“Will you be in San Francisco long?” The business man asked, once again eyeing my legs. No. He was staring directly between my legs, I realized with a sick feeling. Almost as if he could see my bare body.
Ew, as my American friends would say. Double ew.
I discouraged him, answering with one word answers until it was time to take off. Then I stared out the window as the tarmac dropped lower and lower and we soared into the sky. I felt a hand come down on mine and jerked away.
“You looked nervous,” he said with an oily smile. I suddenly decided to switch to first class after all.
Once the seatbelt sign went off, I decided to get up and see if I could be moved. I glanced over at the business man. He was asleep. I grimaced and decided I would have to scoot past him to talk to the stewardess. I gingerly stepped to the side. That’s when I felt it.
He must have leaned forward, or turned, but somehow… his face rubbed against me. Against my butt. HIs face!
I jumped out into the aisle, turning and glaring at him. He looked like he was still asleep, curled onto his side.
I hurried to the front of the plane, found a pretty flight attendant with a nice smile, and explained the situation. She shook her head in disgust.
“Pretty girl like you, shouldn’t have to deal with that. I tell you what,” she said conspiratorially. “Let’s go get your stuff. But bring this.”
She poured seltzer in a plastic cup.