Page 3 of Fairy Cakes in Winter

When a new series of bumps jolted the plane, they were accompanied by instructions for passengers to buckle up and remain seated. Totally standard precaution, but poor Theodore went ghostly white. He sat up tall and clenched his jaw, his palms flattened on his knees. I couldn’t decide if he reminded me of a well-behaved choir boy or a man about to meet an alien.

“Hey, there. Relax. I swear it’s okay,” I reassured him.

“Intellectually, I know that, but I was really counting on Ambien to do its job, and it’s been a terrible failure. Maybe it doesn’t work on me. I’ve been watchingThe Officewith you and thinking about my vacation, but it’s hard to concentrate with…this.”

Theodore pulled the strings of his hoodie and crossed his arms. Now he looked like a hibernating turtle.

Except for the trembling part.

I couldn’t tell if the armrest was vibrating because of him or the elements. It didn’t matter. The peppermint-scented stranger was not my business. He was just the chatty seatmate I happened to be stuck with for a few hours.

But he was scared, and that wasn’t okay.

Christ, I was turning into a fuckin’ softy in my old age.

I nudged his elbow. “Hey, Theodore.”

“Theo,” he mumbled, still hidden in his sweatshirt.

“Right. Hey, maybe try a little distraction. Read a book or watch a show on your own…not over my shoulder.”

“Thank you for the suggestions, but I can’t concentrate now.”

“Music might help.” I shrugged, adding, “Just a thought.”

He loosened the strings of his hoodie. “Yes, that’s a good idea, but…not yet. My stomach feels funny.”

Great.

And with that, I’d pretty much exhausted my “nice” for the day. I felt bad for the dude, but I couldn’t help him and I had big plans to watchAnchormanfor the fifth time.

“Hope you feel better,” I said, slipping my headphones over my ears.

“Perhaps we could talk.”

Huh?I gave him the deadpan look that statement deserved.

“Talk about…what?” I gestured to the screen, hoping to indicate I was busy. “Movies?”

Theo pushed his hoodie down and shifted to face me. “That’s a marvelous idea. Thank you. I think human contact will help. I haven’t seen a new film in ages. I like superhero and action-adventure flicks, like…Spiderman.”

“Uh, yeah. My nephew liked that last one,” I grudgingly replied.

“He has excellent taste. I’m crazy about Marvel movies too, but I rarely see anything in the theater anymore. The allure is gone. I’d rather be at home, snug in my favorite throw blanket with a bowl of popcorn, a big cup of tea, and the ability to pause for bathroom breaks.” He flashed a funny smile that was too endearing for me to find annoying.

This guy was kind of adorable. Like a nerdy hottie.

“Okay, well—”

The plane bounced and swayed.

He gripped my wrist and yelped. “Are you sure that’s normal?”

I nodded as I gently removed Theo’s hand again, noting that he was fine-boned to the point of seeming fragile, like a bird that had fallen from a nest. I felt oddly protective of him…for no particular reason. I didn’t know this guy at all. It was one thing to be nice, but it wasn’t my job to play white knight here.

“Positive. You should get some rest.”

He released a slow, shaky breath. “I don’t think that’s going to be possible. I accept your offer to converse.”