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The clerk pouted in sympathy. “Still, it was nice while it lasted, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, it was a dream come true,” she replied sarcastically as she waved goodbye, exiting the hotel.
She hailed a cab, asking to be taken to the airport. “American Airlines, please?”
“Where are you flying?” asked the driver who looked a lot like Peter Griffin of The Family Guy cartoon.
“I’m going to London. I have urgent business there.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“Oh no, I’m going there to kill a man. Nothing serious at all.”
>
The cabbie kept his conversation to himself from that point on. Nicole enjoyed a nice quiet ride to the airport.
She found a flight leaving in twenty minutes, paying her fare. She zipped through the security check, making it to the gate with minutes to spare.
As she was handing over her boarding pass, the attendant exclaimed in recognition. “Hello, Miss DeLancey. Do you remember me?”
Nicole peered at the nametag. Hello to the girl who started it all. “Sara, how have you been?”
“I’m fine. I was severely reprimanded for speaking to the press about you and Mr. Collins. You could say I’ve been grounded.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Sara smiled. “I’ve been keeping track of you both. I’ve even purchased your books. I’m a big fan.”
“Thank you.”
“How are you and Mr. Collins? I was so happy to hear about your engagement. I thought you made a really cute couple.”
“We’re not together anymore.”
Sara looked shocked, even crestfallen. “I’m sorry to hear that. When did it happen?”
Nicole glanced at her watch. “About two hours ago. He announced it on E news.”
“What?” the girl asked in shock.
“Yeah.” Nicole gazed around. “Can I board the plane now? I’d like to get off my feet.”
Sara shook her head. “Of course. I’m so sorry.” She moved away from the door. Nicole ambled down the jetway.
She found her seat, sitting down and remembering the first time she’d sat in first class. Everything after that moment had changed her life forever.
The attendant came up to introduce herself. Nicole promptly ordered a drink. When it was gone, she ordered another, and so on . . . until she felt nothing. She reclined back in her seat, closing her eyes and hoping to shut out the memories just as easily.
~ ~ ~
She woke up with a killer headache and a dry throat—the remains of her last drink gone. The attendant noticed her and came over. “Would you like some water, Miss DeLancey?”
“Yes, thank you. Are we almost there?”
“We should be starting our descent shortly. You slept for most of the flight.”
“Easiest seven hours I’ve ever spent.”
