Charlotte stared at the object of her fantasies who was looking at her as though he’d seen a ghost.

Not a good start.

“Ryan, come get her bag.”

“It’s okay. I can get it.” Charlotte insisted.

But Ryan was already down the steps, taking her bag from Noah. With her bag over his shoulder, he held out his hand. She put her hand in his and he led her toward the first step.

She grabbed hold of the rail with her free hand and took a step up. Ryan released her hand, but stood right behind her. Much too close.

We’re just in time,” Noah said. “The passengers are fifteen minutes out.”

“We’ll take it from here,” Ryan said. “Have a good weekend.”

“Have a safe trip.” Noah went back to his car.

Charlotte clutched the rails with both hands as she picked her way up the narrow steps. With Ryan so close behind, he was almost touching her as she stepped inside the plane.

Ryan stashed her bag in a compartment. “I’ll show you around. But I’m sure you know what to do.”

She shook her head. “I’ve never done this before.”

Ryan tilted his head with a scowl on his forehead. “You’ve never been a flight attendant on a small plane? It’s not that different really, except you don’t have to go through the safety spiel and you’ll only have two passengers on board and us, of course.” He smiled.

“No. I don’t think you understand.” She forced herself to speak in a steady calm tone. One that she didn’t feel. “I’ve never flown in an airplane before.”

She’d never seen anyone’s mouth literally drop open. If she hadn’t been so nervous, she would have laughed. But she could barely stay focused.

“How is that even possible? How old are you?”

She stretched herself up to her full five foot four inches. “I’ve never had the occasion to

fly. I’m twenty.”

“How did you end up?” He ran a hand through his hair. “Never mind. I don’t even want

to know.”

This was not going well. The Ryan in her head would never look at her as though she’d

grown horns. The Ryan in her fantasy would have been more than pleased to have an apt student.

“Do you know how to make drinks at least?”

She shook her head no. “I’m too young to drink.”

“Ryan.” Jameson called. “They’re driving up. We need to finish the preflight.”

“Okay.” Ryan gestured for her to follow him to the kitchen area located just behind the cockpit. “Take a look around and let me know what questions you have. Fortunately, they only asked for wine and cheese.”

Charlotte followed him to what he called the kitchen. She set her purse on the counter and opened the little refrigerator. It well stocked with water bottles, grapes, and cheese. The cabinets had wine glasses and several bottles of wine. She found plates and a wine opener. There were also napkins with Skye Travels splashed across them. She smiled. Details.

With one exception – her.

She took a deep breath. I won’t let Noah down.

Jameson turned around and spoke over his shoulder. “Hey Charlotte. Welcome aboard. Let me know if you have any questions.”

“Thanks.” Why hadn’t Jameson been the one to help her through this? At least he was kind and she could think when he was around.

Jameson went to the door and greeted the passengers – a middle-aged man and a slightly younger woman. Not at all what Charlotte had expected when she’d been told the passengers were honeymooners. Nonetheless, they were both smiling broadly.

She went to the cabin along with Jameson to greet them. “Hi. My name is Charlotte. I’ll be taking care of you today.” She glanced at Jameson, but he was helping them with their carry-ons.

“Don’t worry.” The man said. “We won’t be needing much.”

“I’m Julia and this is Mike.” The woman held out her hand.

Charlotte shook their hands. “I’ll let you get settled in, then I’ll check in on you. We have wine and grapes and cheese.”

“That sounds perfect.” Julia tilted her head up and kissed Mike.

Charlotte turned and went back to the kitchen. Honeymooners, it seemed, were the same at any age.

Ryan turned and looked at her from the cockpit. “Take them some water.” He whispered.

Of course! She took two bottles of water and carried them to Mike and Julia who were sitting in the back of the plane on the little sofa. “Call me if you need anything else.”

“Prepare for take off,” Jameson said over the speaker.

“How?” She asked aloud.

Ryan came from the cabin. “You’ll need to sit back here.” He led her to the nearest chair. “Buckle in and wait until we say it’s okay to walk around.”

She sat in the chair and he knelt to buckle her in. She looked up into his eyes and there was the Ryan of her fantasies. She looked into his sky blue eyes and time ceased to exist.

A slow smile crossed his features.

She smiled back.

“It’s nice to meet you Charlotte.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too.” Her voice sounded breathy even to her own ears. She cleared her throat. “Ryan.”

The plane began to move.

“I’ll check on you once we get in the air.”

He stood up and she watched him walk to the cockpit.

She sighed.