Where the Stars Fall

3 | Business or pleasure?

"HELLO? ANYONE THERE?"

No, apparently not.

Odd.

I wanted to tell Josh I'd found the shirt he asked for, here, in one of the airport's duty-free stores, but there's only silence on the other end of the line.

Should I try again?

No, forget about it.

But after the shit I pulled earlier today, I'm certain it'd put a huge smile on his face.

Sure. If that was the real reason why you're calling.

Right, but–

You only want to know who was inside.

Except you already do, don't you?

It's been a while since we last talked, a decade maybe, but I do know it was her. Jimmy's cousin. Once the light of my life, the most amazing girl I'd ever met. Also, the girl who gave me up so easily, who hurt me like no one else ever has.

Olivia Burke. Ten years or not, I'd recognise her in a heartbeat.

And now it's eating at you. She's here for their granddad's funeral and you don't know whether you'll be back in time to see more than a fragment in the distance.

"Shit, what terrible timing," I hear myself groan as I tuck my phone back into my jacket pocket.

The passenger sitting next to me gives an annoyed huff. "Great! That big-mouth idiot is going to break the damn thing and we'll be stuck in here for God-knows-how-long till they fix it!"

I turn my head to check what all the ruckus is about. Two rows behind us, a bulky bloke in an expensive suit is trying to force his carry-on into the overhead, when it quite obviously will never fit in there. One of the flight attendants is trying to reason with him but it looks like a nasty argument is about to break out.

"They should throw them both into the aircraft hold. The bag and the bloody prick," my neighbour adds dryly before letting her head fall back against the seat headrest.

I'm tempted to agree, but I don't say anything. For once I don't feel like making small talk with anyone.

A few moments later I hear her take another deep breath of annoyance and almost grin in amusement.

Not that it matters, but what are the odds? The person I'm going to share an armrest with for the next eight hours happens to be a beautiful woman. She's got a sophisticated yet casual look. Perfect brown skin and a cute face framed by thick hair. And a take-no-shit attitude that reminds me of my sister.

I smile to myself thinking of Sue.

She can be such a pain. The most annoying person in my life, always irritating the bloody hell out of me. Also my biggest supporter. Always pushing me to be the best possible version of myself.

I hate myself for not telling her the truth. But I know she'd try to talk me out of it. Plus, I don't want her to worry any more than she already does.

Preferring to enjoy my solitude, I put in my earbuds, the universal sign you're in a no-talking mood. Mary's antics, my letting Josh down like that, Sue's words this morning rumbling in my head – it's all nagging at me, consuming me from the inside out. The only thing I want is to slam my seat back and shut down. A few hours of uninterrupted sleep, without phone calls or meetings, project descriptions or architectural plans. Or reminiscing on the past.

"But please stay inside until we land. Because it's a bit chilly outside." The words come with a gentle tap on my arm. "Excuse me. May I?" My neighbour gestures toward the lavatory.

"Yes, of course." I unbuckle and step into the aisle to let her past, making use of the opportunity to get my iPad out of the overhead bin.

Taking the moment to stretch my legs, I lean against the side of the seat and turn the device on while waiting for her to return.

A few minutes later she's back. Out of the corner of my eye I see an easy smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you." Big brown eyes meet mine, and she leans forward a little, lingering at my chest for an instant before slipping back into the middle seat, the sweet, spicy scent of her perfume staying behind with me.

"You're welcome." I give her a tight smile.

"What?" she asks out of nowhere moments later, glancing at the iPad screen.

"Didn't say anything."

"Are those your kids?" On the background image, a picture of Josh and Emma making silly faces.

"Nephew and niece." I swipe at the screen to unlock it, not elaborating any further.

"Is it business or pleasure?"

"Sorry?"

"Are you travelling for work?"

"Yes." I turn the iPad toward her, on the screen some calculations on a spreadsheet.

"Me too. Covering a fashion event. Photographer. How well do you know the city?"

"Not that well, I'm afraid." I lie. After four years of studying at NYIT, I know it like the back of my hand.

"Oh, I just love New York! You can travel the world without leaving Brooklyn, how amazing is that? It has this special vibe you don't find anywhere else. And do you know where the best pizza in the world is? In Old Fulton Street. Best Beer? East Village," she goes on, brimming with enthusiasm, gesturing with her hands dramatically to emphasise her views. "And let's not forget, Spider-Man and Jay-Z live in New York. So basically, before you can say 'Bob's your uncle' you're already hooked on it!"

'Hey, when we land, would you be up for a threesome?', I feel tempted to ask as usually there's no quicker way to get walked out on. But in the end, I restrain myself. I'm not that kind of asshole and she does have a sparkle in her eyes I find both intriguing and entertaining.

"What's your name again?"

"Josephine. Friends call me Jo." She reaches out and clasps my hand in a firm handshake, her brown, curious eyes penetrating mine.

"Brian."

I wake up at 2 a.m. to adjust my pillow. The armrest is up, and Josephine is leaning up against me, her head on my shoulder. I set her straight and adjust the blanket around her neck.

She's an interesting girl indeed. She can babble profusely about anything for hours, but still be funny. She seems smart and exudes such positive energy.

Or just plain craziness, hard to tell.

Anyway, she has asked me if I was up for a drink one of these nights, but I politely said no. Back in London, maybe. I probably hold the distinction of being the only bloke stupid enough to refuse such a generous offer, but I honestly prefer to sit alone with my thoughts and a bottle of red. 

I need no distractions. All I want is to finish what I came here for and get back home. 

***

Thanks for reading! xoxo