The attendant turned her head slightly in a way that suggested either utter servitude or well-disguised contempt. Dean opted to believe it was the former. He turned and started to back into the seat, feeling more out of place than he had even in Siberia. He’d never flown first class before.
“Try not to act too much like a rube,” said Lia, who had the seat next to him. She was wearing her denim jacket over a short black skirt and chiffon top so thin he could see the delicious outline of her breast. It was going to be a great flight.
“Fancy meeting you here,” said Dean.
“Yes,” she snapped. “What luck.”
The attendant poured them champagne and the video screens began showing the preflight warnings and service advertisements. The other passengers settled into their seats.
“A whole bottle of champagne,” said Dean admiringly. He turned to Lia. “A successful — uh.” He stopped, not wanting to say “mission” where he might be overheard.
“A successful what, baby-sitter?” she said.
“Don’t you ever give it up?” he said.
She smirked. Then she leaned toward him and gave him a kiss.
“Hey, none of that,” boomed a voice behind them.
Karr poked his head over the seats.
“Karr, what are you doing here?” asked Lia.
“Chaperoning, obviously.”
“We’re all on the same flight?” asked Dean.
“Duh,” said Lia.
“Some coincidence, huh?” said Karr, sliding back down. “I guess we’re all supposed to go to the same place.”
“Life’s full of coincidences,” said Lia.
“You know, I’ve never flown first class,” said Dean.
“I couldn’t tell,” said Lia.
“This the way you guys always travel?”
“Yeah, right,” said Lia. “We’re lucky we’re not shoveling coal in the bottom of a boat.”
“So how did we end up here?” said Dean.
“That’s actually a pretty good question,” said Lia. They both turned back to Karr.
His only answer was to smile and sip his champagne.
