But now I’ve moved on. It’s what people do, and I so badly want to be normal—any kind of normal. And I think after all these years, I have finally found my normal.
Arriving at work, I park the car, check-in, and do all the necessary things before take-off. The captain waves as we make our way out. I don’t always know who my passengers are. Some request me, some the airline rosters.
I wasn’t requested today, just managed to get an extra shift which I will always gladly take.
“You got plans for tonight? Las Vegas is the city of sin,” the captain jokes. He’s an older gentleman I’ve worked with a few times before. He’s married and has kids my age. He’s always bragging about his daughter, who’s in law school.
“No, I think I might just lie in bed doing absolutely nothing.”
“Sounds like a great plan. Room service and chill.” I nod in agreement as the first passenger arrives. I stand at the door with a plate of warmed towels, waiting for them to board. As I am looking down at the floor, I see red heels approaching, so I look up to smile.
“Hot towel?” I ask, but after I do, my mouth hangs open. “Sailor.”
She leans in and throws her arms around my shoulders. “Holy shit, look at you.” I touch my now red hair and smile at her. Her eyes skim me over, and before she can say anything else, Keir is behind her. His hand lands on Sailor’s hip as he stares at me.
“Fuck.” He looks behind him, and my eyes follow his. Lucas is standing on the top step, his brows pulled together, and sunglasses cover his eyes.
Well, fuck! I’m not sure what to say.
“This is going to be such a good flight. It’s my birthday, and Keir and the boys are taking me to Vegas,” Sailor cheers. “You must come out with us.”
Keir has stepped past us, and Lucas is now standing behind her.
I feel his stare penetrating through every cell of my body.
Setting it on fire.
I hate that his stare can still do that after all this time.
“I can’t. But thank you for the offer.” I hold out a warm towel, and she takes it before moving on. Lucas is next, but for some reason, he remains rooted to the spot.
Piper pushes past him, wrapping her arms around me as well.
“You look amazing,” I tell her. She’s dressed in a short skirt with heels that could rival Sailor’s, and that’s saying something since her life revolves around the best heels money can buy.
“Me? Have you seen yourself?”
She waves me off and steps in.
Joey’s next, and he gives me a simple nod. I offer him a towel, and he takes it before moving on.
“Towel?” I ask Lucas.
He looks at it through his glasses, then back at me. I wait for him to take it or tell me no. He does neither and walks off into the plane, where everyone else is seated.
The pilot opens the cockpit door and checks on me. I tell him we are good to go as I pull the door shut and check, then I announce that everyone should remain seated.
Thankful my seat is behind a curtain so I can’t see them, we take off. As soon as we’re in the air, I somehow manage to breathe.
This is my job.
I’m good at my job.
This should be like any other day.
After fiddling around in the galley, taking far longer than I should, I carry a tray of champagne, which was requested for the flight, and start to hand it out. Sailor and Piper take theirs with no issue. It’s when I get to the men that they hesitate.
“Joey.” I remove a glass from the tray and offer it to him. He takes it, but his eyes fall behind me to where I know Keir and Lucas are seated.