Sparks - Wendy Higgins Page 0,21

tried to sound sympathetic. I knew how awful and tight these rows were.

Someone sidled up close. “Let me help you with that.”

My insides jumped at the sound of Shawn’s voice. He beamed at the old woman, and her scowl disappeared. Shawn lifted her bag and pushed it into the overhead bin while she gazed up at him like her own personal hero.

“Aren’t you just the sweetest?” She held out her hand and he took it, patting the top and never ceasing the genuine smile.

“Thanks,” I said, allowing him to pass. He tipped an invisible hat at me and my stomach felt like I was on a trampoline. I let out a quiet breath as I walked behind him, looking up at his super short hair that begged to be rubbed lightly with my fingers, his neck and collar—that amazing place where his shoulders began and went outward in a bulge of lean muscle.

Uuuung, nope.

I cleared my throat and concentrated on each row as I passed, requesting in my most polite tone for people to raise their seats until after takeoff, and to keep their tray tables up. People wanted to sprawl out the second they got on the plane with no worries about the people around them or general safety. And this was a small, regional flight, which meant no first-class section. You can always tell the people on small flights who were not used to being in coach seating. Thankfully these flights were short.

Shawn took his seat. The marines chatted, but they composed themselves today with more professional attitudes. It was quieter. How many of them were a little hungover, I wondered? When it came time for the doors to close and the safety demonstration, I felt stupid nervous. I’d done this a thousand times, but ugh.

I took my place three rows in, and sure enough every set of Marine eyes were on me like they expected some sort of entertainment. Their chins were lifted with goofy smiles on their faces and some of them leaned into the aisle. I tried not to smile but I was a nervous giggler. Finally, Marcelle got started and I went through the motions. But to my immense humor, they not only watched, the participated in an overly-obedient fashion. When I clicked the seatbelt, I heard many clicks throughout the cabin and then “oohs” and “aahs,” and one guy said, “So, that’s how it works!”

I pressed my lips together realizing they were trying to make me laugh.

Damn it.

When I held up the safety information card, they all waved theirs in the air and pretended to study them carefully. When they were told to obey the overhead lighting and look for the nearest exit, being aware that it could be behind them, they all stretched their necks and pointed, saying, “Found it!” and those in the middle argued about which was really closest.

I brought my hand to my face just in time to hide an amused snort. Those smart asses! And there was their commanding officer, watching me with a small grin, not saying a word, but his eyes showed he was clearly as amused by his troops’ antics as I was. Proud, even. Other passengers were turned around watching them as well.

Now came the part I’d been dreading. The humiliating life jacket. I put it over my head and followed every direction Marcelle said over the speaker. I buckled the strap around my waist and pretended to pull the strap.

“In the event that your jacket does not inflate, you can manually inflate the jacket by blowing into the—”

“Yeah!” A raucous of cheers erupted when I put that stupid, phallic rubber tube near my mouth. Good Lord, I felt like a pervert standing there holding that thing up to my reddening face like I was about to blow it. Marcelle had to stop her spiel at the thunderous applause. My teacher mannerisms kicked in, and I put a hand on my hip, wagging a finger as I gave the soldiers a reprimanding glare.

Shawn held a hand up and said, “Okay, too far. Y’all, shut up now.” All of the civilians laughed and the soldiers groaned.

My cheeks were hot as we finished, and I reluctantly made my way down the middle aisle, checking to be sure each row was clear of items and everyone was buckled. I felt Shawn’s energy as I neared him, overly aware of exactly where he was in relation to me. When I got to him, I met his eyes and