Going Gone by Sharon Sala Page A

went down in the mountains outside of Denver,” Cameron said softly.
    “Ah, damn, I heard about the crash and that there was a survivor.”
    “She’s the one,” Cameron said.
    The bathroom door opened. Laura came out, then paused, a little startled by the people grouped in the aisle.
    The attendant’s smile was just a little wider, and the pilot nodded his head.
    “Welcome aboard, ma’am.”
    Laura blinked, then glanced at Cameron. He pointed up the boarding ramp.
    “Here come the regular passengers. We’d better get back in our seats.”
    Immediately after they were seated, the attendant had coffee on their trays and was back at the doorway, welcoming passengers aboard.
    Laura took a quick sip and then glanced at Cameron.
    “You told them, didn’t you?”
    He shrugged.
    She sighed. “It’s okay. If I freak out later, maybe they won’t throw me off the plane.”
    “If you get scared, just grab my hand. If that doesn’t help, maybe we can make out a little to keep you otherwise occupied.”
    She laughed, picturing that happening in full view of a planeload of strangers.
    He grinned. The foolishness of the remark did the trick. Now having sex with him was on her mind instead of flying.
    The passengers filed past, some looking longingly at the first-class seats, others just anxious to get in and get settled. And then fate played a cruel joke.
    The boarding line stalled, and people standing in line were getting impatient while a flight attendant tried to iron out a conflict back in coach between two people claiming the same seat. Voices were raised, and everyone was craning their necks, trying to see what was going on.
    Cameron was sending a text, and Laura was looking at a magazine when she heard someone say her name.
    “Laura? Laura Doyle? Is that you?”
    Cameron looked up and then quickly glanced at Laura. She looked rattled, and his first instinct was to intervene; then Laura laid down her magazine and gave the middle-aged brunette a quick glance.
    “Oh, hello, Tessa. Small world.”
    “Oh, my God! I never imagined I would see you here. I can’t believe you’ve got the guts to fly again after what happened to you, what with everyone dying and all.”
    Every passenger within hearing distance turned around to look.
    A muscle jerked near Laura’s right eye. “Technically, everyone didn’t die, Tessa, because I’m still here.”
    Cameron’s seat belt clicked, then slipped to the side as he stood up, which instantly removed Laura from the woman’s line of vision. His voice was soft, but his intent was firm, and there was no mistaking how pissed he was.
    “Excuse me, ma’am, but that was an insensitive remark and best left unspoken, if you get my drift.”
    Tessa frowned as she lifted her chin, challenging his disapproval.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are, but she’s my friend. We were at a conference together a few weeks ago. We were all horrified when we heard about the crash, and I wanted to wish her well.”
    He smiled, but it never reached his eyes.
    “I don’t know you, either, but just for the record, I’m the man who rocks her world, and I did not hear you wish her well. What I heard coming out of your mouth was morbid curiosity.”
    Someone snickered at the back of the line.
    Tessa glared.
    Cameron didn’t budge.
    The line began to move.
    Cameron continued to stand, smiling politely until Tessa finally gave in, and the situation was resolved. Only then did he sit back down.
    Laura was pale and teary as he reached for her hand. He grinned wryly, trying to ease the shock.
    “We should have bought a lottery ticket today. Wonder what the odds were of something like that happening?”
    She sighed. “Thank you.”
    He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the knuckles, then winked and leaned close to her ear.
    “Ready for that make-out session yet?” he whispered.
    She rolled her eyes but smiled, which was his intent.
    I love you, she mouthed silently.
    He kissed the side of her