Page 3 of 7 Miles High
Like a trail of ants marching toward water, we cross the aisle and pick our spots. Four vacant chairs across from where the girls have landed. A few glances are sent our way from the redhead and the brunette, but under the radar.
Blondie’s on her phone. She hasn’t noticed me, but I don’t mind watching unobserved. I just noticed her eyes. They’re the color of the ocean. A stormy sea. Nice.
Why isn’t Elliott following our lead?Now some other guy’s taken the seat meant for him. He chooses one further down next to a middle-aged man in a Hawaiian shirt. The guy’s eating something from Starbucks. Crumbs fall on his enormous belly then roll to the carpet.
I signal to Elliott to take one of the two open seats next to the girls. He shakes his head. My lips press together and I send him a death glare with my eyes. He looks away. Shit. This could be our way in. I elbow Matt and draw his attention to the problem. Let the hulk take care of it.
He’s on it in three point five seconds. Getting up, he walks to where Elliott sits, grabs his carryon and brings it to the two empty seats next to the brunette. She gazes up and gives Matt a crooked smile.
“Afternoon, beautiful.”
Rolling Elliott’s bag in front of the seat furthest from the woman, he stretches out in the one next to her. He laces his fingers behind his head and leans back. Pretty sure he’s flexing for her benefit.
“Mind if I stretch out? I’m a little cramped,” Matt says, playing charming guy.
“You’re a little boy,” she says. “And you’re hoping I’ve noticed your impressive muscles.” There’s a slight pause before she adds, “Very nice, by the way.”
She doesn’t break eye contact, and that alone throws Matt. The fact he hasn’t come back with a quick retort is a first. Oh man. We haven’t even boarded and we’ve already lost one.
“Are you watching that?” James whispers.
“Uh, yeah. At least Elliott will be glad. It’ll get him off his case.”
I’m distracted by the expression on Elliott’s face. His attention is laser focused on something.
“What’s he looking at?” I say.
Our eyes follow the angle of his gaze and it doesn’t take long to solve the puzzle. Amidst the crowd of travelers coming and going is a girl heading our way. A woman is more accurate. James starts chuckling and I join him.
She’s Jessica Rabbit in a tiny package. About five-one, with long chestnut-colored hair that curls close along one side of her face. Don’t know how she balances with those boobs.
“Holly!” my blonde calls to her with a wave.
I lean over to James who’s watching the same show I am. “She’s with them.”
Elliott’s finally wearing the smile we were hoping for. By the look of things, he’s decided it wouldn’t be so bad to join the party.
