The Exception(5)

“It does, but that veggie burger didn’t seem to fill me up and the salmon salad doesn’t sound too bad.”

“You should have had the big thick greasy burger like me.”

“Yeah. Maybe I should have.” He winked.

“What do you do for work?” I asked with curiosity.

“I own and run a technology company.”

I knew he was in corporate just by the suit he was wearing. He had “corporate man” written all over him. One thing that caught me by surprise was the fact that he owned the company.

“Nice. How old are you?” I cocked my head.

He laughed. “I don’t think it’s polite to ask someone their age.”

“Wrong. It’s not polite to ask a woman her age, but for a man, it’s no holds barred.”

“So why is it wrong to ask a woman?” His brow raised.

“Because women are more sensitive to the age question than men. It’s in our genes.”

“Ah. I see. Well, to answer your question, I’m thirty. And now, you’ll answer my question, impolite or not. How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-four.”

“Really?” He frowned. “You don’t look a day over eighteen.” His lips gave way to a small smile.

Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that why you’re being so nice to me, because you thought I was a na?ve eighteen-year-old who just blossomed into a legal adult with no baggage that you could manipulate in the palm of your hand?” I smirked.

“First of all, eighteen year olds aren’t my thing. They are way too immature, legal adult or not, and second of all, I’m just a nice guy all the way around.” He winked.

“That you are, Mr. Westbrook.” My lips gave way to a small smile.

The flight attendant set Drew’s salmon salad down in front of him. I took one look at it and sighed.

“You’re really going to eat that?”

“Of course.” He stabbed his fork into the salad and took a bite. “It’s delicious.”

“It is not! I can tell by the look on your face and the way you’re trying to choke it down.”

He shrugged. “Okay. It’s not very appetizing.”

“Oh. Is that cheesecake?” I asked as I pointed to the small plate on his tray.

“It looks like it. Do you want it?”

“Don’t you?” I asked.

“I’m not a big cheesecake kind of person. So, please, be my guest. I’ll have to ask the attendant for another fork.”

“No need.” I smiled as I reached over, picked it up with my hands, and took a bite.

Drew’s face twisted as he watched me.

“What? It’s not a big piece. It’s bite size.” I finished it off with one more bite. “Thank you for once again making my shitty day a little less shitty.” I grinned.

“You’re welcome.” He nodded. “I’m surprised you’re still hungry after that large burger, a beer, your fries, and mine.”

Without even thinking, I spoke, “Well, after starving myself for the last six months to make sure I didn’t gain an ounce so I could fit into my wedding—” I paused and then turned my head towards the window.

Drew didn’t say a word, which was a good thing because I wasn’t about to get into something so personal about myself with a stranger.

“So, what do you do for a living?” he asked to change the subject.

“I’m a lawyer. Well, not technically yet. I still have to take the bar.” Which I had no plans to ever do.

“Impressive. Where did you attend law school?”

“Yale.”

“Wow. Now I’m really impressed.” He smiled. “Did you just graduate?”

“Yep. Two weeks ago and at the top of my class.”

“Your parents must be very proud of you. That’s quite an accomplishment.”

“They are.” Not now they aren’t, I thought to myself.

The flight attendant walked over and took Drew’s tray from him as I pulled out the headphones from my purse.

“I think I’ll watch a movie now,” I spoke.

“All right. I have some work to do.” He pulled out his iPad.

****

Drew

A lawyer. Wow, not only was she beautiful but extremely smart. I caught the part about her wedding dress, which piqued my curiosity, but I could tell after she slipped that she was upset, so I didn’t ask her any more about it. I got the impression that her fiancé broke it off with her and that was why she was so broken. As for Hawaii, she was probably trying to escape the pain. I found her refreshing and funny. She had a wit about her that captivated me. Who would ever break up with someone like her? If she were mine, I would have held on to her forever.

As I was doing some work on my iPad, the plane hit some bad turbulence. Jillian reached over and grabbed my arm.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Sorry. Turbulence just freaks me the f*ck out.” She inhaled deeply and laid her head back.

“Don’t apologize. My arm is here for you whenever you need it.” I smiled.

The plane leveled out and it seemed we were in the clear. Letting go of my arm, Jillian continued to watch her movie and I went back to work.