Trust In Us. AlTonya Washington
I shouldn’t have assumed—”
“Why not? I offered to take your bags, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but—”
“You weren’t rude to me, were you?”
“I—” Alythia paused. “I guess not,” she said finally.
Imprisoning her hand in both of his then, Gage squeezed again, using the gesture to tug her closer. “You weren’t. Trust me, I know what rude is.” Briefly, his liquid stare shifted left as though he were about to look across his shoulder.
Alythia piped up once more, this time in order to champion her friends. “The trip hit us out of nowhere. I’m afraid we’re all sort of...um...discombobulated.” She pressed her lips together.
Gage’s eyes locked on her plump bronze-glossed mouth. Silently, he commanded his focus to reside on her words, for the time being, at least.
“Orchid’s your typical nervous bride. I guess we’re all nervous.” Alythia sounded as though she was speaking the last bit to herself.
Gage narrowed his gaze, cocking his head inquisitively in hopes that she’d elaborate on the last. Instead, she fixed him with a dazzling smile that he admitted pleased him just as much as any clarification she might have given.
“I just don’t want us to get off on the wrong foot. It’s important for Orchid that the trip goes well and I can’t afford to be the one that shoots it all to hell.”
Gage felt the wicked flex of muscle along his jaw. “And why should all of that rest on you?”
Alythia responded with a laugh that was clearly tension filled. “There are many ‘whys,’ Mr. Vincent. Among them my inability to be on time when there’s fun to be had.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean to ramble. Like I said, we’re all a little nervous.”
Nodding, Gage used the hand he still held captive to pull her arm through the crook of his. “Well, the least an aircraft employee can do is to find a way to settle a passenger’s nerves.”
With that, he escorted Alythia from the office.
* * *
Two delicious mojitos later, Aly was feeling less nervous and far more amused. The dynamics emerging among the newly collected group kept a genuine smile on her face. Whether it was the group or the mojitos that deserved such credit, she couldn’t wager a guess.
Gage had escorted her out to the main cabin and had gotten her settled into a seat somewhat removed from where the rest of the group had gathered. He’d then personally seen to filling the order for her drink.
Alythia kept her gaze trained outside the windows on purpose. She knew Gage’s innocent act of kindness was already being rehashed by her friends.
“How are those nerves doin’?”
Smiling at the question, Alythia looked up at Gage while raising her third mojito, which she was only halfway through. “The nerves are much better.”
Gage claimed a spot on one of the milk-chocolate suede swivels across from where Alythia relaxed. “And how’s the view?”
“The view can’t at all be complained about.”
“Hmph.”
The response drew her stare and she studied him with a knowing intensity. “Guess this is all pretty old hat to you, huh?”
“How often do you travel, Alythia?” he asked, angling an index finger alongside his temple while he watched her.
She turned her attention back outside the window. “Quite a bit, but first class has nothing on this.”
“Well, it doesn’t get old for me,” Gage shared, swiveling his chair a bit. “Every time I take a flight, take time to pull my face out of a report and take a look at the view, I’m reminded of how blessed I am.”
“Must’ve been a hard road to get here.”
Gage grinned. “Hard would’ve been nice. My road was about ten times beyond hard.”
“Ha! I can relate!” Alythia laughed.
“How so?”
Alythia wasn’t of a mind to elaborate. “We’re talking about your hard road, not mine.”
“I’d trade my hard-luck story for yours any day.”
“I’d hate to sour your mood for the rest of the trip, and my story would surely do that.” She sipped at a bit more of the mojito, loving the rejuvenating effects of the crisp drink.
“What if I told you my story could have the same effect on you?”
“All right, then.” Alythia faced him fully, her elbows propped along the arms of the chair. “Suffice it to say that my hard-luck story makes me very appreciative of every good thing that comes my way.” For effect she raised her mojito in a mock toast.
There was a burst of feminine laughter, followed by the roar of male chortling and additional feminine giggling. The sounds drew quick smiles from both Gage and Alythia.
“Sounds like your friends share your point of view.”
Bewilderment sent the elegant lines of Alythia’s brows closer, though she didn’t remain stumped for long. “We’ve all weathered storms and learned from them.”
“Is that right?” He pretended to be stunned.
Alythia rolled her eyes playfully. “Even rich girls have storms to weather, Mr. Vincent.” She aimed a soft smile in Orchid’s direction.
“Hey, Gage?” Myrna called from across the cabin. “Are we gonna fly above the clouds for the whole flight? I want to see the water.”
“Appreciative of every good thing, huh?” Gage spoke the words for Alythia’s ears only and then pushed out of his chair. “Finish your drink.” He squeezed her shoulder on his way to join the group.
* * *
“So?”
“Gage was popping the cap on his Samuel Adams when Dane Spears’s question reached his ear.
“So.” Gage took a swig of the beer.
“Don’t even try it.” Dane’s soft admonishment accompanied a playful frown. “What’s the story?” he persisted.
“What story?” Gage leaned against the Blackwood counter space inside the bar area where his friend had cornered him.
“Come off it, G. You obviously already picked yours.”
Gage eased a measuring look toward his beer bottle. “I think I already had too much to drink.” He shook his head at Dane. “What the hell are you talkin’ about?”
“Don’t take offense, G. Hell, she’s—she’s beautiful.” Dane voiced the compliment as though he was in disbelief of an absolute truth. “If she hadn’t been so late to the party, I’d have probably already staked my claim.”
Grinning as realization hit home, Gage gave another shake of his head. “This isn’t a date.” He downed another swig of the tasty brew.
“Who said anything about a date? I’m talkin’ about a sure thing.” Dane helped himself to one of the assortment of beers chilling in a tub of ice next to the bar. He used the bottle he’d selected to motion toward the women across the room.
“Fine as hell and sure things, every one of ’em.”
Gage narrowed a look toward his friend. “Every one?”
“Well...except the bride, of course.”
“Of course.” Gage enjoyed a few more swallows of beer and enjoyed the view across the room. The view of Alythia Duffy was one that he especially