“Sir?” He looked up, spotting his flight attendant slowly heading down the aisle.
He sat up quickly and grabbed his laptop, shoving it into its case.
“I’m so sorry, Diana. I really didn’t mean for that to take so long. I’ll get out of your hair.”
She gave him a small smile. “How did it go?”
He turned and gave her a look, making her laugh.
“Did they finally cave?”
“Only two hours too late.”
She gave him another small smile. “Well, I’m glad everything worked out for you in the end.”
Yeah, after practically threatening them all.
“Thanks. Hey,” he shoved his hand down into his pocket and pulled out his money clip, “thank you for coming back to check on me a few times. And for staying way past when you were supposed to.”
He shoved a few hundred-dollar bills at her, feeling like shit that he couldn’t just give her back the two hours of her life that she’d wasted.
Amused, she took the money from his fingers. “You looked like you needed a drink halfway through, there.”
“I did. Thank you for noticing my annoyance.”
“Whiskey always tends to mellow you out.”
That had him chuckling. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”
She winked at him and headed back down the aisle. “I’ll let the captain know you’re all set.”
“Thank you.”
Grabbing his bag and hefting it over his shoulder, he pulled out another few hundreds from his money clip and shoved the rest back into his pocket. It was the least he could do for keeping them from their lives.
He knew how busy his crew got during this season, and he was privileged enough to know that the only reason the captain hadn’t come back and kicked him off the jet himself was because he was one of their wealthiest customers.
Still, it didn’t negate the annoyance Henry was sure they all felt once it hit the forty-five-minute mark, and he’d still been wrapped up in arguing with the people on his screen.
Heading down the aisle, he nodded to the other flight attendant, the younger one, and handed him a few hundred dollars while extending his thank you. It made him almost laugh when the kid’s eyes went as wide as saucers when he unfolded the bills.
Before Henry was forced into the awkward position of the kid refusing the money and him pushing back for him to accept it, he turned and headed down the stairs onto the tarmac.
The captain was waiting at the bottom, Diana standing next to him while they huddled together in conversation. Across the tarmac was Henry’s car, pulled up and waiting for him.
Spotting Henry descending the steps, the captain turned to him.
“Mr. Darrow! We’ve got your bags all tucked into your car for you. Safe and sound!”
Henry smiled and stepped onto the ground, adjusting the bag on his shoulder while handing over the last few bills in his hand. “Thank you. I apologize the call took so long. I know you all have lives outside of this.”
Instead of taking the money, a hard hand clapped onto his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Next time just warn me, and I’ll have either Diana or Eric pick up something to eat from the airport before we board. We’ll have a mini fiesta while you negotiate!”
Henry winced.
Shit. None of them have eaten since we left Atlanta.
“Fuck. I am so sorry.” He dug his hand down into his pants and grabbed his money clip again. “Let me buy you all dinner. It’s the least I can …”