“Nothing outside of the usual,” Lana waves me off. “You know how some people get when they find out you’re a flight attendant. The mile-high jokes come out in droves.”
“That sucks.” Groaning, I reach into my suitcase and grab my makeup bag. I don’t wear as much as I do when I go out, like that happens very much, but I need to look presentable. “That, my friend, is why I’ve stopped going to the hotel bars after flights.”
“Whatever,” she laughs. “You don’t go out because you’re worried you're going to run into a certain pilot. You need to get over that. He’s moved on, and so should you.”
She’s right. He’s the reason I don’t go out much anymore. It’s not even that it hurts that much. It’s the awkwardness that I know will permeate the air. How can you casually be around someone you’ve screwed and things not be weird? “I have moved on.”
“Then who are you seeing?”
“You know damn well how hard it is to start and maintain a relationship in our line of work.”
“True story.” She pushes her foot back to the floor and sits up straight. That’s her serious expression. Nothing good is going to come out of that. I keep hoping the low murmur surrounding us will drown out whatever she’s about to say. Not even a baby cries to distract her. “Speaking of work…”
“This better not be some way for you to rub in the fact that we’re flying with Carter as the pilot today.”
“It’s not. I swear.” Lana makes an x over her heart and holds out her pinky, waiting for me to take it. She’s resorting to child-like promises and I know she will not tease me.
I hook my finger in hers, “Okay, spill.”
“We’re sort of being put on a new assignment after this flight.”
“What do you mean?”
I watch people get up and stand in line to board their planes. The voice over the speakers calling for passengers to board and head off on their own adventures. Lana waits for them to quiet down before continuing. “Apparently, International Airlines is also going to work with basketball teams.”
“Huh.” What does that have to do with us? “Are they sponsoring them or something?”
“Nope,” she pops the p before adding, “we are their transportation. They don’t always travel together from what I hear, but most of the flights we’ll be on will be shorter.” She pauses, hoping I’ll give her a reaction. “And they’ll include super-hot athletes. Ones I’m sure will be just fine with a night or two of fun.”
“Of course, that would catch your attention,” I roll my eyes. I swear this woman will never settle down. If that’s what she wants, who am I to tell her differently? “Why us?”
“No idea.” She shrugs and people watches. “But I’m not complaining. It’ll be nice to at least be in the States most of the time. As much as I love going all over the world, some laws in other countries are too restrictive. You’ll also get more time in your own bed.” Her mouth forms a slight grin. “I assume that’s something you’ll be happy about.”
Actually, I would be pretty happy about that. I’m in a committed relationship with my mattress. “Why hasn’t anyone in management said anything to me about it?”
“Technically,” her voice is a high-pitched whisper. “I’m not even supposed to know about it. I heard it through a few people. Some other attendants are being reassigned, too. They are supposed to tell us after we get back from this trip, so act surprised.”
I’m not mad about it, just shocked. They normally tell us weeks in advance, so this is surprising. It’ll also be nice working shorter trips. The international ones aren’t horrible, but they are so freaking long. Passengers become restless, if there isn’t a layover, and can get grumpy with us. As if it’s our fault they decided to go to Europe with their children. That’s another thing I won’t miss, hours of kids asking their parents how much longer the flight will be. I have nothing against kids, but small ones can make the flight more stressful than it needs to be.
“Um, Jolene,” Lana snaps her fingers in front of me. “Are you okay? You’re not upset about the change, are you?”
“Not even a little bit.” I swipe my lashes with a bit of mascara before throwing it in my makeup bag and putting it in my suitcase. “I have a feeling my bed and I will be able to take our relationship to the next level.”
“You are so weird.”
“I like uninterrupted sleep,” I shrug. “The cots on the plane are just fine, but it’s not exactly comfortable.”
“That’s an excellent point.” Another announcement comes over the speakers and her eyes widen. “Shit. You need to go get dressed. Our plane is almost here and we still have to get it ready before boarding.”
“And this is why I wanted to get ready at home, before I got here. I don’t like being rushed.”
“Well, I needed you.”
“No, you didn’t,” I shake my head, exasperated. “You just didn’t want to sit up here by yourself.”
“I plead the fifth.” She picks up my garment bag and shoves it in my arms. “Now go get dressed.”
I don’t have time to argue. I rush to the bathroom to put on my uniform. I’m going to make this the best flight I’ve ever had. Starting next week, I’ll be back in the continental states for a while.