Page 113 of Space Oddities

“Nope.” He looks extremely pleased with himself.

“I would’ve sat with you guys.” No, I really wouldn’t have. “But I thought Trish was going to come.” I nod at the seat he’s sitting in.

“Yeah, tough break on not being able to get her passport in time.” He lowers the seat back, raising his arms behind his head. “I’d say you could console yourself when we arrive with a pretty blonde in lederhosen, but with the way you and Trish were looking at each other at the wedding, I figure you’ll be all work and no play this trip.”

The smile on my face tells him he’s right.

He shifts in his seat, his brow pinching. “So, uh, speaking of the wedding…”

The unease in his voice, a stark contrast to his normal laid-back demeanor, has me concerned. “Yes?”

He focuses on the vent above us. “I met this girl.” He doesn’t look happy about it.

Whoa. I’ve never seen Bodie so serious. Even when hot wiring the International Space Station during the recent emergency spacewalk, the guy always has a grin on his face.

“At the wedding?” I run through the small list of people invited. All the women came with their husbands or boyfriends. The wedding planner? No, I shake my head internally. I heard her mention her husband and kids to Jules in a passing conversation. Faces flit through my mind. One of the waitstaff?

“Yeah, she, uh, sort of kicked my ass in bed.”

I stare for a beat. “You slept with her at Jackie’s wedding?”

He raises one brow in my direction. “This coming from the man who nearly rocked the trailer off its wheels just a few feet away from the reception?”

If it weren’t for the medication settling my nerves, I’d probably be beet red.

“Ah, yes, well…”

He laughs. “Anyway.” Returning his gaze to the ceiling, Bodie frowns. “Then she just left.”

Concern gives way to laugher. “The great Vance Bodaway was loved and left?” I laugh some more. “That’s hilarious.”

His serious expression breaks, and he smiles. “Shut up.”

Relaxing back into my seat, I continue to chuckle. “What, she leave you in a horse stall somewhere?”

“Horse stall? Jesus, no. She took me to her room.”

“Her room?” Realization has my jaw dropping. “Wait. Do you mean—”

“Is this seat taken, sugar?”

A petite brunette stands in the aisle, fingers curled around the handle of a carry-on bag. Her polished nails perfectly match the pink lipstick on her turned-up mouth.

“Trish?” I stare at her, unable to process what’s going on.

Bodie, shit-eating grin on his face, raises his seat back and stands. “I guess that means I’m headed back to coach with the rest of the peons.”

Trish frowns. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you already switch seats?” She lifts up on the tiptoes of her sky-high heels to look over Bodie’s shoulder. “I could take your—"

“No!” I stand, cracking my head on the hard plastic above me. “Fuck.” I rub my head, giving Bodie, now laughing at my expense, a death glare. “Bodie was just leaving, weren’t you?”

Bodie smirks. “Ten-four, boss.” He leans down and plants a kiss on Trish’s cheek. “Glad you could make the trip.” Trish flushes. “We’ll have to drink one of those German beer boots on our time off from training.”

I shove his shoulder. “Move it, Bodaway, or I’ll boot your ass.”

Hands up, Bodie laughs again, but thankfully walks to the rear of the plane. I don’t stop glaring at him until the curtain separating the first class from coach sways shut.

“Aren’t you happy to see me, sugar?”

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