Liz wasn’t excited about her birthday. She wished time would skip over it and let it blend in with the rest of the forgotten days of the year. The only thing she did look forward to was the sleep she would get on the plane in 2 hours. She purchased this plane ticket as a last effort to at least do something. She didn’t bother inviting anyone, she knew they would not come. So this was her first international solo trip. And Santorini was the destination.

Liz loved flying. Of course she had the standard flying anxiety, thinking the worst about every possible worst case scenario. But once she was in the air and caught site of the beautiful views, all worries would go out the window. Normally she would book an economy or business class ticket but for her 40th it was no other way to fly other than first class. She marveled at the secluded waiting area she was being escorted into. The smell of lavender filled her nose while soft jazz played quietly in the background. How they were able to dull out the chaos just beyond the velvet rope was a mystery to her. She decided right then first class was the only way to fly from here on out.

Here there was no race to get a seat next to an outlet or getting bumped by a restless child. Feeling her shoulders relax she sighed and took a seat at the wrap around bar. The waiting area was almost empty. Scattered around were a few business types in too tight suits, another woman who looked to be in her late 50’s wearing a Chanel pantsuit and Him sitting about 9 stools down from her.

Nobody looked up from their phone to notice she even walked in and that was fine with her. She was used to being over looked . Not allowing too much attention to be drawn to her. Liz preferred this. Less chances of her making a fool of herself by saying something unfiltered. Her mouth filter had been broken for the last 5 years and she was done trying to fix it. She was done with a lot of things actually. Done with her so called family that treated her like she was less than because of her martial status, done with one sided friendships and going nowhere relationships. For the first time in a long time she was looking forward to being alone. She had reached the point where solitude and peace were her only wishes. So when He didn’t so much as glance her way when she settled into her seat she was thankful.

She had about an hour and a half to get buzzed on wine and read a few chapters in the her book she brought. She sat there, periodically checking the time and getting lost in the fairy world she was reading about. She wished she could meet a man like her book boyfriends in real life. Taking another sip of her wine she laughed out loud at the main characters current dilemma when she felt a gaze on her like she was being watched. When she glanced up to see, the eyes looking at her belonged to Him. Mr. 9 seats away. She realized it was utterly quiet and her sudden laughter probably made more than just him take a look at her. Damn.

She felt her face flush with heat as she went back to reading. She could still feel his gaze. She didn’t have time to process this because walking toward her with another glass of wine was the waiter that served her earlier. He replaced her empty glass with the new full one and before he could walk away she said “I……. didn’t order this.” “Compliments from gentlemen at the end of the bar mam.” The waiter winked at her and was gone in a flash.

Dumbfounded, she reached for the glass to pull it closer to her and looked down the bar at him. Was it her or was he closer than before? He tipped his drink and head in her direction as if to say “cheers”. She smiled and thanked him, taking a sip from the new glass.

She was back lost in her book when she heard “Now boarding flight 189 to Hong Kong” over the intercom. A lot of the too tight suits got up, along with the lady in the Chanel pantsuit. It seemed just Him and Liz were left. Which sent a wave of panic inside her. Did she miss her flight? Maybe they sent an email and she missed it. She hurriedly grabbed her bag to get her phone. In her rush she accidentally sent her book flying and a few of purse contents went everywhere on the floor. “Shit..”

She was relieved she hadn’t missed her flight but annoyance set in when she read the flight was delayed for another hour. She slid down off the high stool and started grabbing her things off the floor. Once everything was accounted for and safely put back in her purse, she noticed Mr. 9 seats was now standing directly in front of her holding her book.

Liz had never laid eyes on a more gorgeous man. Tall, smooth dark chocolate and handsome with a full beard and freshly twisted locs that came down mid back. He wore a black Nike jogging suit that ironically matched her grey one she currently had on. Perfect for long flights. His perfect lips were moving but Liz didn’t hear a word over her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

“…….introduce myself.” His hand extended.

“I’m sorry…” Liz blushed and stopped her fantasy before it could start. “I didn’t hear a word you said.” She placed her hand in his and a wave of electricity filled her body. He must’ve noticed her reaction because he gave her a dazzling smile and repeated himself.

“I said, I hope I’m not disturbing you, I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m James. I saw you when you walked in and I’ve been trying to come up with the best way to approach you.“

“Ahhh ok, that’s why the glass of wine was sent my way.” She wiggled her hand from his and sat back in her seat. “ I was wondering what made you send it, would you like to sit?” Gesturing to the seat next to her. Liz was definitely proud of herself, she was handling this very well even though her armpits were soaked from stress sweat.

James gladly accepted this invitation. He knew he wanted to introduce himself the moment he saw her cross the velvet rope. It took all of him to not look up from his phone when she sat not too far from him at the bar. Play it cool. Play it cool he told himself. But how could he when she was the most beautiful thing her ever did see?

To be continued..💋