Layover

by Cassidy London

Taken aback for a second, I paused. I hadn’t realized he knew Adriana, but of course, he would have been the one to sign off on her assignment to my flight.

  “Uh, no. She’s great. Keep her with me.” I answered professionally. “Actually, I’m calling about something else. Listen, things with Sophia aren’t great, and it’s starting to affect our work. She’s not listening or following directions; and she’s making me look bad in front of clients like Leahy, as well as the rest of the crew. Any chance you have an opening for her elsewhere?” I felt a little badly about throwing her under bus but it had to be done. Besides, she’d done worse to me.

  “Shit man, that’s not good. Okay, let me see what I can do. But I can’t make any promises, Tristano,” Richard cautioned. “You know that I can’t just fire her. I’ve got to have a legit place to move her and the tough part is that she has seniority. I’ve still got to play by the rules and cover my own ass, you understand right?”

  “Of course, Rich! Listen do what you can and keep me posted okay? No rush, we have some time off before Leahy leaves again anyway.”

  “You got it,” he replied.

  “Thanks buddy! Drinks are on me next time!” I answered before hanging up.

  I poured myself another coffee and made my way to the balcony. The sliding doors opened onto a large terrace that overlooked the ocean. The sound of the waves was mesmerizing. Sipping my coffee, I paused to enjoy the feeling of the warm morning sun on my face, as I watched the waves crash. This place always brought me peace. My mind drifted to her smell, her soft warm body that seemed to respond so quickly to my touch. I shifted uncomfortably as my sweatpants began to get tighter in the crotch. Shit. Just thinking about her made me hard. I pressed myself against the cool railing in hopes of calming myself down.

  I wondered how her life had been since that first time I’d kissed her. We had never even had the chance to talk and catch up. It was as if chemistry had taken over and we needed to finish what had been started all those years ago. The first kiss that had started it all, and the timing that hadn’t worked then, and seemed to be messing us up now.

  I had to talk to her. Settling back into a lounge chair, I grabbed my phone and typed her name to Instagram. There she was, smiling back at me. Unfortunately, it was a private account and there was nothing to see but her profile picture. However, it was probably better like that, my own IG was questionable and didn’t exactly put me in the best light. Especially considering everything that Adriana had learned about me over the past few days.

  Facebook was probably a better choice. I rarely used the app, and so there wasn’t anything incriminating like there was on my Instagram account. Hopefully, I could reach out to her there.

  To my surprise her Facebook profile was the first one to pop up and the picture hit me hard, right in the heart. It was Adri, but Adri as I had remembered her from when she would sit behind the reception desk, at the flight school. Fuck, looking at her now, I realized that it was a damn good thing I’d never shown up and taken her out to dinner. She was so young in this picture. Exactly as she had been in my memory.

  I flipped over to the Messenger app, and started writing a private message. It was hard to find the words. After the way she had stormed out, I wasn’t even sure she’d answer anything I would ask. But I had to find a way, because despite what she may have thought about me, she wasn’t just another notch on my belt. She was the girl that I’d been looking for my whole life. Frustration built up inside me as I typed, erased and typed again. Figuring out what to say was becoming harder by the second. Everything sounded arrogant, wrong and just plain stupid.

  Every time we had been alone, things had been perfect. Back at the flight school… every stolen glance had made adrenaline pump through my veins. That very first forbidden kiss had imprinted her on my mind and soul until this very day. The club, the intense feeling of needing to protect her and hold her close. Our explosive chemistry that had started what should have been the very first time I made her mine.

  As these thoughts coursed through my mind, I slammed my phone down on to the table in frustration. Each time, every perfect moment had been ruined. Why? Was this not meant to be? Or had it just been bad timing? Bad timing turned my thoughts to bad choices, which made Sophia come back into my head. Fuck. She was the epitome of bad choices and she hadn’t been the only one. Eliana. Eliana had made my life hell, although she would probably say the same about me. Sophia knew that, and used it at exactly the right time to her advantage. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to smooth that over, but I had to try. And getting Adriana alone was the only way.

  I decide to keep it simple.

  Adriana,

  I want to apologize to you, and I’d like to do so in person. Would you meet with me? Have dinner with me tonight at the Shoreline. You don’t have to answer and I’d understand if you didn’t. Just know that I’ll be there at 7 p.m. and I hope you will be too. There’s a lot I’d like to explain.

  Tris

  I pressed send before I could change my mind yet again.

  Silence.

  Silence.

  I could have spent the next twelve hours staring at that screen. Instead I shut my phone and leaned back in the chair, my eyes closed. Listening to the sounds of the waves as I drifted off to visions of her in my head.

  ***

  Drifting off thinking about Adriana was easy. It was the waking up that was difficult. I dreamed about holding her in my arms and woke up in the lounge chair, my cock so hard, it was painful.

  My body was screaming to hold her, taste her and sitting here in my condo, there was nothing I could do about it.

  Grabbing my phone, I hopped on to messenger to see if she had answered me. She hadn’t. But she had read my message. Shit. What did that mean? Would she show up tonight? Would she not? My mind began freaking out and it morphed my desire straight back into anger and frustration. It was going to be a long fucking day. There was nothing I could do but wait. I decided to head out for a run to clear my thoughts.

  Chapter 22

  Adriana Acosta

  San Francisco

  I woke that afternoon, feeling good. Cara and I had talked until the early hours of the morning, and it had helped. I calmed down, we had a few laughs after the tears, and I knew I could do this. Life was too short to spend it crying over jerks. I grabbed my favorite grey sweatshirt and threw it on over my pajamas and made my way into the kitchen. I could smell the coffee.

  “Hey girl. Did you sleep well?” She asked handing me a mug of coffee, with just the right amount of almond milk and cinnamon.

  “Actually, I did,” I said with a smile, bringing the mug to my nose to inhale that magical smell.

  “Well good. I’m glad you’re rested,” Cara smiled. Then she paused.

  “What?” I asked warily. “Something’s up, I can tell by your face. What is it?”

  Cara took a deep breath. “Okay, so don’t be mad at me, I didn’t mean to read your messages but…”

  “Uh okay…” I shrugged. “Well it’s not like I have anything to hide.”

  “Sorry babe but you left your phone here last night, and when I was making the coffee…” she trailed off again. “Someone messaged you on Facebook. The message popped up on the screen and I saw it. After everything we discussed last night, I could not help myself. I was freaked out and grabbed your phone and opened the message.”

  Cara handed me the phone. “I’m really sorry Adri. Please don’t be mad at me.”

  “I’m not mad Car…but the way you’re talking is freaking me out.” My heart was racing because I already knew. I opened messenger and felt my heart fall right out of my chest.

  Was he crazy? He wanted to meet me for dinner? Why on earth would he think that I would want to have dinner with him?

  “Oh. My. GOD!” I screamed into the air in shock and frustration. Cara who was looking at me with a worried look in her eyes.

  “Like seriously?” I continued as I paced back and forth through the kitc
hen. “Shall I answer and ask him if he’s also bringing his wife and Sophia to join us? Is that what he wants? A big fucking orgy on the beach? What the hell is wrong with this guy?”

  I had already knocked over my coffee and was stomping around our kitchen, flailing my arms in the air. I vaguely noticed Cara wiping up coffee stains on the counter top and then the ones dripping down the white cabinets.

  “I’m sorry! Shit, I was being careless.” I apologized, noticing how she was quickly wiping it up before it stained. I grabbed a cloth and began to help her. Tears were welling up in my eyes. Was I frustrated, angry or sad? I didn’t even know anymore. Why was this man so confusing to me?

  “Stop it,” Cara said, firmly grabbing my shaking hands. “You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to answer him, and you don’t have to go. You can block him now, and he won’t ever be able to contact you again. You have that choice Adri.”

  I stopped and let myself slide down the wall to the floor with a groan. “I know…” I faltered. And I did, but I was also hesitating. “What if I did want to hear what he has to say though?” I whispered the words as my head dropped into my hands. “I feel so stupid. You must think I’m crazy for even saying that,” I continued without looking up.

  Cara’s voice was soothing. “Maybe. Maybe you are crazy– but still, it’s your choice.”

  “Oh, Cara this is why I love you!” I cried. “You’re such a good friend, and you always support me no matter what.”

  “Right back atcha’ babe.” Cara hugged me. “Besides, isn’t that what friends do?” I nodded and wiped my hand across my face.

  “Okay, so let’s get up off the floor and decide what your plan is.” She looked at me, her eyes pushing for my final decision.

  I said nothing.

  “You’re going to have dinner with him tonight, aren’t you?” Her question was much more of a statement and she was right.

  I nodded and chewed on my lip.

  “All right, well in that case, you need to plan out exactly what you want to say, so that you get the answers that you need.”

  I nodded again.

  “And you’re going to need something to wear. Did you notice the restaurant he mentioned?”

  I shook my head, all I could think of was him. Visions of his beautifully sculpted face and deep eyes that twinkled were already making me see stars. I closed my eyes and inhaled, still able to smell him… in darkest corners of my mind.

  “And she’s gone again…” Laughed Cara, as she pulled me by the arm and pushed me towards the bathroom. “Go get showered and I’ll start looking through your closet and mine. We need to get you all gussied up, girlfriend. He needs to know exactly what he missed out on!”

  Cara’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect of a project, while mine glazed over with an addicting mix of desire and fear.

  Chapter 23

  Tristano Ricci

  Shoreline - San Francisco

  I made sure to arrive early at the Shoreline restaurant. It was one of the most popular restaurants in the Bay Area, and was always packed. After securing a private booth in the back, I sat back and surveyed the scene before me.

  Shoreline was a two-level restaurant, almost all open air and overlooking the beach. With warm, yellow, hanging lights and lots of greenery in every corner, it was a beachfront paradise. I had dressed in beige pants and a navy blue button-down shirt. I knew that I looked my best but still, I was nervous. I still wasn’t sure that Adriana would show up. She hadn’t answered my messages. Not the first one, and not the second where I had confirmed that I was heading to the restaurant. All I could do was plan my words and wait. The waitress kindly brought me the Pellegrino that I ordered and I sipped it, hoping it would settle my stomach. Alcohol would have to wait, I needed to be on my game tonight. As I sat and sipped my water, I texted Jean-Marc for support once again.

  Sending you good vibes man. He wrote back quickly.

  Lex and I are thinking of you. Keep us posted. Ciao.

  Time ticked by slowly and each minute felt like an hour. I had told her seven o’clock, but when she hadn’t showed up by 7:15 p.m., I was already preparing myself for the inevitable. I looked down at my watch one more time and then up again, telling myself that I would wait until 7:30 p.m. If I hadn’t at least heard from her by then, I would leave.

  That was when I saw her. I had to blink to be sure that she was really here, and it wasn’t just wishful thinking. But she was. She was really here.

  I stopped and took a deep breath to calm myself. She still hadn’t seen me and it gave me a few minutes to drink in her beauty and compose myself. Her long black locks were curled into beach waves like they had been at the club in Tokyo. Thick black eyelashes fluttered as she looked around the room nervously, clearly scanning for me. I watched as she fiddled with the latch on her clutch purse. Her delicate frame was wrapped in a flowery fabric that seemed to hug every curve of her body. A slight breeze came through the open verandas, blowing in and she hugged the material closer to her chest. She was a vision. I had to do this right.

  Chugging back the rest of my Pellegrino, I stood up and waved her over to the table. I watched as she let the hostess know she’d seen me and began to walk in my direction.

  “Adriana…” I began as she approached. She looked at me tentatively before accepting me closer into her personal space. It was an awkward greeting; neither of us quite sure of how to approach the other. I quickly pulled out a chair for her to sit.

  “Thank you for coming tonight. I wasn’t sure that you would, but I’m very glad that you did,” I smiled.

  She inhaled sharply and looked me right in the eye. “Honestly Tristano…”

  I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Please Adri, using my full name seems rather formal, don’t you think?”

  “Would you prefer I address you as Captain Ricci then?” She responded haughtily.

  Fuck that was hot. I couldn’t help thinking to myself.

  “As you wish,” I winked.

  She smiled. Barely, but she did. This was good.

  “My point, Tristan...”she continued, emphasizing my name again. “Is that I debated long and hard about coming here tonight.”

  I was lost. Maintaining focus was ridiculous when she kept using words like “hard” and “coming”. I felt like a teenager around her. This woman was like temptation itself, and it made me feel weaker than I’d ever felt before.

  “Please,” I interjected. “Let me go first.” I needed to direct this conversation before I became even more lost in it. “I owe you a huge apology.” I inhaled and went for it. “Yes, I knew who you were the second I saw you. I doubted myself initially, but finally once you confirmed your full name, I knew it was you.”

  She said nothing, her face remained void of all expression. There was nothing to do but continue.

  “Yes, I’ve had my share of women. Many of whom I’ve worked with like Sophia and Victoria. However, please know that I had no idea Sophia would be in my hotel room when I brought you back there. I really didn’t. I should have dealt with it better but I didn’t, and I apologize for that.

  “That’s all fine Tristan,” Adriana interrupted. “None of that is why I’m upset. The real question that you need to answer is this… Are you or are you not married to Sophia’s sister?”

  Shit. “No. But I was. Sort of. It’s complicated.”

  “And I’m done!” Adri announced, pushing back her chair.

  She had been there a total of ten minutes, and she was already pissed with me. I was truly awful at this.

  Jumping to my feet, I grabbed her hand. “No, you don’t understand. I’m not married, in fact I never was. But I was engaged. I broke it off a long time ago, but Sophia…”

  “Sophia what?” She spat angrily under her breath.

  “Ugh… I’m almost afraid to tell you. Sophia and I had this on again, off again thing around the same time I was with her sister and…” I was dying inside, revealing all this mess
.

  “Oh, for god’s sake!” Adriana stood up. “You’re ridiculous. So, when did you start fucking your future sister-in-law? Was it before or after you asked her sister to marry you? You know what? I don’t even want to know about your incestuous escapades. I’m done with you for good Tristan. You’re nothing like I remembered.”

  Adriana pushed her chair back, grabbed her purse and started making headway through the crowd for the door. NO! My brain exploded in anger as I ran after her.

  “Stop it!” I yelled as we got out onto the beach. I reached her quickly and grabbed her arm to pull her into me. Adriana whipped her head around to look at me. Pain shot through my heart at the sight of her accusing eyes and mouth tightly drawn shut.

  “Yes, I’ve been a player. Yes, I’ve been with a lot of women, and it’s been complicated. I’ve been traveling the world for ten years, and have had all the untethered fun that comes with the pilot’s lifestyle. HOWEVER… that doesn’t make me a bad guy.” I paused to suck in air, my chest felt like I’d been running a marathon. “Actually, what it does do, is make me damn sure that for once in my life, I want something more from someone– and that someone is YOU Adriana.”