he explain why?”
“To hear him tell it, he’d left school early and thought I might be home. When I wasn’t, my roommate suggested he wait there for me. I’m sure she planned everything to work out the way it did. His explanation was that she was there and one thing led to another and it didn’t mean anything. He apologized. Said it would never happen again.”
“And you said?”
“I was very dignified. I told him if he ever made an attempt to see me again, I’d severely injure a delicate part of his anatomy.”
He made a strangling sound but didn’t comment.
“He pretty much left me alone after that. He and my ex-friend/roommate got married a few months later because she was pregnant. I don’t know what happened after that because I accepted the job I have now and moved closer to work.”
“You took it hard.”
“That I did. There’s something about finding out that someone you considered a friend and the man you thought you were going to marry betrayed you that dampens the spirit.”
“But that was—what?—five years ago?”
“About that.”
“And you haven’t had a relationship since?”
“Not a serious one, no,” she said, knowing she sounded defensive. “I just don’t intend to get hurt again. So I don’t allow anyone to get too close.”
He looked at their hands, still entwined. “Then I feel honored.”
She lowered her brows and glared at him. “We are not close. I work for you. Just because you think I’ll try to get out of this plane before we take off doesn’t mean we’re close.” She pulled her hand away just as the plane began to roll.
“Actually you work for the company.”
“You are the company. Like I said, I work for you.” Faking nonchalance, she picked up the book and determinedly began to read, hoping his questions were at an end.
Four
Jodie was glad to get off the plane in Los Angeles and walk around. She’d finished her book and decided to get more reading material.
“We have time to get something to eat if you’d like,” Dean said as they walked past several small restaurants located along the concourse.
“I’m not really hungry. They’ll feed us on this next flight, won’t they?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll wait.”
She glanced out the glass walls and saw sunshine, blue skies and palm trees. What a difference from Chicago. “I’ve never been to L.A. before. I guess this doesn’t count since all I’m seeing is the airport.”
“Don’t you like to travel?” he asked. He motioned for her to go into one of the coffee shops with him.
“I haven’t done all that much. I’ve flown to Phoenix several times to see my mother. One Christmas the family gathered in Oregon at my brother’s place. Otherwise, my schedule keeps me too busy.”
They got their coffee and found a small table near the glass wall overlooking one of the runways. “Then I’m glad you’ve come with me this week.”
“Thank you.”
“I hope this isn’t out of line, but I can’t get over how different you look with your hair down.”
“Ah. You have no problem asking why I’m not married but hesitate to make a comment about my hair?”
“You have a point. Is it too late to apologize for my earlier questions?”
“Much too late since you listened to the entire tawdry story.” She spoiled her solemn reprimand by chuckling at the expression on his face. “Do you like my hair shorter?”
“Oh. You had it cut.”
“Yesterday.” She ran her fingers through it. “I’m still getting used to it myself.”
“It’s, uh, you look very, uh—” He stopped. “Yes, I like it.”
“Why, thank you.” She looked around them. “Are you ready to find the gate for the next leg of our trip?”
He stood and stretched, briefly causing a gap between his sweater and pants. His stomach was flat and toned. She wondered what he’d look like in a bathing suit.
On the way to the gate Jodie picked up a couple of magazines. She was a little more relaxed for this second flight. In fact, she was getting sleepy despite the coffee. Perhaps she’d be able to nap once they got into the air.
Jodie stirred as the captain announced that the plane would be making its descent into Kahului Airport, Maui, and that they would be landing in forty minutes.
She couldn’t believe she’d slept that long. She glanced at her lap and saw the magazine she’d been reading when she’d fallen asleep.
She looked over at Dean. He wore his horn-rimmed reading glasses and seemed engrossed in a technical manual. No murder mysteries and thrillers for that man.
“I see you found something light and entertaining for your vacation reading,” she said.
He lowered his chin and looked over his glasses at her. “Each of us relaxes in his own way. Did you sleep okay?”
“Surprisingly so.” She covered her mouth and yawned. “I could get used to traveling in style.” She waited a beat and said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go freshen up before the seat-belt light comes on.”
Dean moved promptly out of his chair and stepped back. She walked to the front and saw that the lavatory was unoccupied, thank goodness. She went in and locked the door. After she washed her hands, she found her comb and ran it through her hair.
The haircut really did give her a different look. The waves fell around her face and called attention to her eyes. She was surprised that Dean had not only noticed but commented on her appearance.
She felt that she’d been on the plane for at least a week and wondered if she’d ever get the constant drone of the engines out of her head. When she opened the door, she found another first-class passenger standing there. She smiled. He returned her smile with interest.
Jodie felt herself blush and hurriedly returned to her seat. Dean had seen her coming and was standing in the aisle out of her way when she arrived.
“Thank you,” she said hurriedly and slipped into her seat.
He sat down beside her and closed the manual he’d been reading.
During the next fifteen minutes he asked her a few more questions about her life—her hobbies, favorite movies and television shows—and she gave him brief answers, at least enough
