Wanderlusters Travel Agency - #SouthwestContest

The Travel Agency

"Wanderlusters Travel Agency. How can I help you?" Marnie answered the phone smiling. "I can definitely help with that!" Her bright smile complimented her red lacquered lips. "Mmhmm.." She took notes on a bright pad of stationery with her Southwest Airlines ink pen, tapped the tail of the pen to her chin then began clacking on the computer. "Yes Mrs. Dwier, I'll get that booked for you right away. You can expect the email confirmation within the hour."

If Marnie was good at anything in life, it was her job. She was impeccable at sending people away. Just ask her ex-boyfriend. It had been two years since she had sent him on his way with suitcases in hand. It had also been two years since she'd left her small town.

The travel agency she worked at was small. Just a handful of coworkers. They would send people off on luxurious getaways, family vacations, business trips, anywhere away from their small-town lives.

The chime rang as the door opened to accommodate a man, tall and dark against the sun outside. Marnie looked up to greet the customer and stuttered, catching his eyes as he lowered his sunglasses.

"W-welcome to Wanderlusters. How can we help you today?" She asked.

"I'm looking for a Marnie? Or is it Margie?" He said, tucking the sunglasses into his pocket.

"Oh, that's me," Marnie said standing from her desk hand outreached. "Marnie Blake. How can I help you?" She caught herself eyeing the man's jawline.

"Ah, Miss Blake, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Desmond Keller." He said, taking her hand. "It is Miss?" His hold lingered.

Marnie blushed, catching the watchful eye of a coworker. "Yes, let's have a seat shall we?" She stepped back behind her desk mouthing to her coworker Don't you dare.

An hour earlier the other woman had been urging Marnie to get back onto the dating field. "Get on that coffee grinder app." She'd said. Marnie had to delicately educate the older woman about dating apps. Now there was a tall dark and handsome man at her desk who'd felt the need to clarify her relationship status. She didn't need anyone getting ideas. This was work, and Marnie, as you know, was very good at her job.

"Where will you be traveling?" She clicked her pen.

"Cute," Desmond said, noticing the airplane pen in her hand.

Marnie blushed. Why did she keep blushing? She needed maintenance to check the AC again. "Travel agent perks." She smiled. "So Mr. Keller, what did you have in mind?"

The corner of Desmond's mouth lifted a slight smirk. "I need to get away for a few days. What would you recommend? Where have you been lately?"

"If you'd like to get away to something tropical, I know a few locations with ocean view rooms." She began her usual spiel, the one that worked for most of her travel clients.

"No---" Desmond interrupted. "Where have you been recently?"

Marnie blinked hard. "Honestly, I have been so busy this past year, I've stayed fairly local." Two years she had stayed local.

"If you could go anywhere for a weekend away, where would it be?" He leaned forward with earnest eyes. "Pick something practical, don't say an African safari." He laughed.

"That's tough. There are so many places to go." She answered professionally.

"Pick one." He pushed.

"I'd like to see the Grand Canyon." That was as practical as she could get.

"I've heard that the sunrise over the Grand Canyon is stunning. Let's book it."

The two discussed the travel details for well over an hour. Much longer than her usual clients.

"Here is a copy of your itinerary. I've also emailed it to you." Marnie said, sliding the paperwork across the desk. Desmond reached and brushed her fingertips as he picked up the papers.

"It's all set then. You have been such a pleasure. I wonder, would you care to go for dinner sometime?" He said.

Marnie's eyes widened at the proposition. It was normally easy to stick to business, but talking with Desmond had been the highlight of her week. Possibly her year.

An instant message from her coworker popped up on the computer screen. The "Do it" GIF flashed across the screen. Marnie now wished she hadn't taught her coworker about memes and GIFs.

"Okay--"

"How about tonight?" He asked before she could finish.

They met at a restaurant that night. Over appetizers, they discussed bits of their childhood. They were only a year apart but had never crossed paths. They both found that amusing.

"I still can't believe you work at a travel agency and haven't been out of town in so long. I assumed the pretty travel agent traveled all the time." His eyes gleamed dark and bright.

"Life happens." She shrugged, trying not to think about the word pretty.

"Life is short and the world is wide," he said winking. He was referencing a poster she had hanging in the office. They laughed. "You should go with me."

She swirled the drink in her cocktail glass. "I couldn't. You're going this weekend. We only just met."

"That's true," he said. "Guess I'll just have to go alone. It's such a pity." He paused. "The one place you'd like to go and you suddenly have the opportunity to go. There's plenty of room for you." It was true, everything he'd booked would easily accommodate a plus one. Even the room had two queen beds.

Marnie felt a sense of longing well up. She needed to getaway. She wanted to do it with a stranger she'd just met. There was something trustworthy about Desmond. She could see it in his eyes.

That weekend they sat in silence watching the sunset over the canyon.

"Where do you want to go next weekend?" He asked. "The world is wide, Marnie."

Marnie smiled. She had sent this one away, but he had taken her along with him.