Songbird (completed)

chapter nine

As Delia got dressed, she called her dogs sitter and made sure to write down everything he would need and how to take care of him. She left the note on the counter and the spare key under the mat, letting her friend know. At 6:30, she got in her mustang and headed for the airport. When she was about to enter TSA, she heard Thomas's voice calling out her name. She turned around and waved as he weaved his way through a crowd. 
    When he caught up to her, he smiled and held up his bag. "Ready, partner?" He gave his goofy smile and Delia smiled back. He was handsome. "Ready as I'll ever be." She huffed. He laughed. "Let's get this done then. Gotta find this girl." Thomas's face went grave for a moment and then turned back to her and smiled. Delia patted his shoulder and made her way to the line. She just wanted to get this trip over with. She didn't want to go through the same shit with Thomas. When they got on the plane and to their seats, Delia took the window seat and opened it, turning her head away from Thomas. 
        "Can we talk?" He said after a while. He startled Delia, making her jump in her seat. He raised his eyebrow at her and she took a deep breath. "Planes make me nervous." She lied. She actually enjoyed riding on planes. One of the reason she was considered weird. She needed a cigarette though. "Don't pull that shit on me, I know everything about you." He leaned down near her face. When she turned towards him, their faces were inches apart. Her breathing shallowed and she rolled her eyes. "Fine." She replied, keeping eye contact. "If this attitude is about the other day then I'm sorry. I don't mean to be an asshole and you know that." he whispered. Delia laughed through her nose and lifted the upper corner of her mouth. "I don't have an attitude." 
        Thomas gave up on trying to talk to her. she could tell he was racking his brain trying to figure out what he did. Men can't get a clue. She glanced at him a couple of times. He was simply just sitting there staring at the seat in front of him. "Why'd you make it seem like you were flirting with me the other day?" She blurted. Her face got hot and she could tell it was beet red. Her breathing got harder as her heart started beating faster. Thomas stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Because I was." He replied. 
         When they landed, Delia made a point of grabbing her bags and getting off the plane as fast as she could. She left Thomas trailing behind her with his luggage. When he caught up with her he grabbed her arm gently and pulled her aside. "I'm sorry. I know that it was unprofessional. And i know that I shouldn't. And it won't happen again." He said gruffly. Delia chewed on her lip before she spoke. "I think that's the point. Why play with me if you know you can't? I don't want to be led on." She said and moved her arm away from him, it still being in her grip. "We have a case to work on." She said coldly as she walked out into Seattle.