“With pleasure. Are you going to try holding the ice?” It’s not a calming technique I’ve ever come across before, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work.
“Water would be good.” He prizes his other hand away from the arm of the chair and picks up the cup of water. He’s shaking so much that it sloshes over his hand and onto the pull-down table tray. He puts the cup down and grips the arm of the chair again. “Later.”
“Let me.” I use my free hand to pick up the cup of water and bring it to his lips, tipping it enough that he can sip from it.
He stares at me the whole time, his dark eyes filled with amazement and gratitude. “Thank you. I— Why are you being so kind when I bashed into you?”
“Because you’re scared, and I want to help you.”
From the moment he collided with me, my Daddy instincts went into overdrive. I could tell he needed looking after and got the impression he’d be receptive. Which is why I arrangedto change my seat. Luckily, the person who was supposed to be sitting next to Ty was on their own. I hope they’re enjoying their free upgrade to business class. I fly at least once a month for work, often twice, so I rack up a lot of air miles, which I use to upgrade as often as I can.
“Thanks. Uh, what do you do?” he asks.
“I’m a business analyst.”
“A what now?”
I smile. “It’s not very interesting. I’m trying to distract you, not bore you.”
“You don’t enjoy your job?”
“I do, but it’s not exciting to describe to other people.”
He rakes his teeth over his lower lip. “You live in Brooklyn… with someone? A partner, or…?”
“Alone. You?”
“Also alone. I had housemates while I was at uni, but now I rent a small flat on my own.”
I frown. “A flat?”
“Uh, I think you’d call it an apartment? A unit in a big block. We only call them apartments when they’re a bit posher.”
I have no frame of reference, but I smile to show I’ve understood—as much as I need to, anyway. “I also live in an apartment. I don’t need anything bigger when it’s just me.”
“Would you tell me about Pride? Is it fun? It looks like it is from the pictures and videos I’ve seen online.”
“Lots of fun. It’s got a great atmosphere. Really joyous and uplifting.”
“Wow. I can’t wait.” He glances out the window and swallows audibly. “We’re so high, and it’s so noisy and?—”
“Breathe.”
He takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
“You’ve got nothing to apologize for, Ty. What would help you relax?”
“Sex?” He widens his eyes and slackens his jaw. “Oh, god, did I just say that out loud?”
I chuckle. “Yes.”
He covers his reddening face with the hand I’m not touching, and squeaks, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Sex helps me relax too. But not in a plane toilet.”
He grimaces. “Uh, no. And I didn’t mean— It just popped out. I’msorry. You must have the worst impression of me right now. First, I bang into you. Then I have a panic attack on you, and now—” He sighs, slumps his shoulders, and hangs his head. He drops his hand onto his lap, which is a definite improvement because now he’s only clinging on with one hand. “I’m not normally like this.”
“Extenuating circumstances?”
