Oh great, this guy is everywhere I go today. She thought. Better give him a wide berth.
Still, she had to admit he did cut a fine figure. He was visibly muscular under his tailored suit and exuded self-assurance in every gesture and movement. She couldn't help but compare him to Mitch. He was taller, better looking, obviously more successful. Probably an even bigger jackass as well. They had been so good together. Why did he have to go and throw it all away?
She was lost in thought when she felt the impact of the body in front of her.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" She looked up and realized she had collided with the very person she was trying to avoid.
Just great. She thought. Now he's going to think I was following him. Her flight attendant's hat had fallen to the floor and worse, she had knocked his hand luggage to the ground as well.
Damn, don't tell me I'm going to have to pay for that as well. She groaned inwardly. On her current flight attendant's pay she could hardly feed herself, let alone pay for damage to overpriced designer bags. Unfortunately, frequent flier miles couldn't be traded for cash. Bonuses and pay raises had been frozen for the last three years.
She waited for him to turn on her with his smarmy grin but instead he stooped to pick up the tiny decorative hat in his large strong hand. He looked at it for a moment before he turned to face her. He smiled gently as he did so.
"Melanie Hutchinson, right? Are you okay?" He said kindly.
Huh? Was this even the same guy?
"I don't know," she said testily, "Is this too much make-up for you or not?" His puzzled look seemed entirely real.
"It looks just perfect to me." He said. "If it matters what I think."
"No it doesn't, actually." She said petulantly and took her hat from him. "Thank you." She said as she straightened her hair.
Why are you letting this guy fluster me? She thought. In reality, she knew though. He was gorgeous when he was being nice, even if he was only pretending.
"Which way are you going?" He asked.
"I'm going to the Drummond Airlines executive lounge if you must know."
"We can walk together." He said, with the confidence of someone who has never been refused anything in his life. Melanie didn't quite know what to do. If he was just being obnoxious it would be pretty simple, she was used to that from her work with the public. But his return to charm? It confused her. She allowed her eyes to linger a little, connecting with his intent, masculine stare. Although he was smiling, his eyes revealed a lot more. If Melanie didn't know better, she would have said he was seriously interested in her. Big time.