Delayed

Livie’s nerves were on edge.

She had been sitting next to Beau for hours at the airport. The extended delay for him was an opportunity to do more work to him and he wanted her by his side because she was his assistant.

It was not the work or the delay that bothered her, but Beau himself. His taciturn demeanor made it difficult to work with him. He expected her to be clairvoyant and his demands were sometimes unreasonable.

But Livie fulfilled every single one, she needed her job. And she wanted to prove to him that she was irreplaceable.

Her reward for two hours of work was now to board the plane with him. She walked to her seat in coach, a deep sigh of relief thinking she would be free from work for a little bit at least. Beau had a first class seat that she had ordered for him, but it would be more of a luxury for her to have a few moments by herself.

Livie almost gasped audibly when Beau sat next to her. She turned to look at him sucking on her tongue trying to be polite and ask him why he was sitting next to her.

“I changed the seat that you ordered for me." he volunteered as the cat held onto her tongue. "I don’t need first class for a flight, I will be comfortable after we land. But thank you Livie.”

She nodded. It surprised her that he did not want the upgrade. This was her first trip with him and she usually ordered first class for a partner at any firm she worked at. Beau surprised her with wanting to sit coach–and next to her.

“I should have confirmed with you, next time I will," she replied swiftly.

“I’m not admonishing you Livie, I just am saying it is a waste for a this flight."

She clucked her tongue and nodded.

Beau looked relaxed beside her. Livie worried she was going to have to work sitting next to him. But he put his phone on airplane mode, so she put her phone on it as well.

Their flight was so delayed they were offered first-class amenities. Livie got a gin and tonic, Beau got a bourbon. So up close and personal, Livie noticed how beautiful Beau’s hands were, smooth skin and thick veins. She would be lying if she said she had never noticed him before.

Beau had a commanding presence and smelled amazing. She had personally ordered him a bottle of his custom fragrance once before a gala he attended when he ran out. It arrived in a heavy box and was expertly wrapped.

He smelled divine.

“Cheers Livie,” he smiled.

Livie smiled, hoping it reached up to her eyes. She did not know this Beau. He was warmer than he had ever been with her.

Their conversation was small, they never really talked about much outside of the office.

“I am glad that it is all over Livie, I am sure I was a bit of a prick to you. I get caught up in my work and it makes me difficult.”

“You just have high expectations, that is uncommon now.”

“And you always rose to the occasion.”

This time her smile was up to her eyes and her cheeks were warm. He was not drunk, he had not even sipped his bourbon and she was so nervous, all the did was turn her gin and tonic around and around in its faux glassware.

“I did not want to disappoint you,” she said softly and meant it.

“You never have."

Their conversation got bigger as they both played with their prop drinks. Livie was afraid she would say or do something she should not do, and wondered why Beau was not drinking,

What was he afraid of?

The cabin was dark and empty after dinner service, at that point, Livie could not fight sleep anymore. When she woke up it was still dark and she had curled into Beau. She was mortified until she realized he held her hand in his fist, close to his heart. Its beat lulled her.

Livie fell back asleep.

***

When she woke up, Beau was holding her hand in his, still close to his beart. They had been delayed again at the airport, but every time they were delayed it reminded of her of the first time they were delayed when he was still her boss.

Before she quit her job and married him.

Beau held her hand tight to his chest where his heart beat and Livie knew it was hers to keep.

Read all of my stories on Vocal.

Read all of my stories on Medium.

Read poems and stories by Lisa Herdman.