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“My mother said it was because I wet the bed until I was eight, but that wasn’t it,” she says miserably. “I was terrified, and it just happened. Normally, I don’t drink that much before a flight, and I use the restroom like three times before boarding. I didn’t do that before we re-boarded!”

Opening my eyes, I look at her. “Liv?”

She turns her head, and I can see the absolute misery on her face. “It’s going to be fine. I promise. As soon as the captain announces we can get up, I promise I will jump up and block anyone else from using the restroom first.”

“You must think I’m a total weirdo. Between the eulogy for my ex and now the whole…you know…pee thing, you’re probably wishing that witch had kept my seat.”

I don’t know this woman well enough to say for sure, but I’m guessing she’s a little tipsy and probably wouldn’t be talking like this in any other circumstances. Between the lousy travel issues and the whole death of her ex thing, she’s probably more than a little out of sorts.

“I’m perfectly happy with you sitting next to me,” I assure her. “And really, this isn’t a big deal.”

The plane speeds up and we both go a bit wide-eyed and somehow end up holding hands.

“We got this,” I tell her, and she nods.

“Okay.”

We stay locked like that for what feels like forever, and I take the opportunity to really study her.

Besides those wide green eyes, Liv’s got what I’m guessing is long, blonde hair—and I’m only guessing because it’s up in a messy bun—smooth, creamy skin, and a smattering of freckles across her nose.

Her lips are pink and a little glossy, and she nervously chews on the bottom one as the plane continues to rise.

She’s staring back at me with equal intensity, and I’m curious about what she’s thinking.

Is she seeing the nerdy tech guy? The guy who used a formal name and was too timid to tell that woman who stole her seat earlier to just get lost?

Or does she see that I’m a decent guy who maybe isn’t too terrible to look at?

Should I have put in my contacts earlier instead of being lazy and wearing my glasses?

Ugh, why am I like this?

Duh, because deep down, I am still that awkward guy who showed up at college with zero social skills.

I just hide it better these days.

After what feels like an eternity, we hit the cruising altitude and can safely get up if we need to. And, as promised, I immediately stand and motion for Liv to get up and do what she’s got to do.

Giggling, she stands. As she moves in front of me, she smiles. “You’re a really great guy, Sebastian. I’m glad I’m sitting next to you.” Then she kisses my cheek before turning and walking away, leaving me standing there a bit dumbfounded.

I glance around to see if anyone noticed, but no one’s paying any attention.

Except Darcy. She gives me a knowing smile and I swear I feel myself blush before quickly sitting down.

Naturally, Liv’s back quickly and I’m back on my feet and moving out of her way and then sitting back down and wondering what I’m supposed to do or say. Do I take out my earbuds and start watching a movie? Play more solitaire? Ask her what perfume she’s wearing because it smells fantastic?

I’m about to ask what she’s going to do when I see her look up and frown.

“What the hell are you doing?”

I turn and see the woman from earlier standing behind me with her phone and she’s clearly recording Liv.

“I want to show the world the nasty bitch who wouldn’t give up her seat to one of her elders. I have health issues and she didn’t care and everyone should know,” she states.

Liv is instantly on her feet striking a pose.

“Then make sure you get me from every angle,” she says defiantly.

“And make sure you tell them you are walking around just fine, lied about your boarding pass, and nearly got escorted off the plane.” She smiles and leans in closer to the phone.

“Oh, and be sure to tell them what an entitled old witch you are.” Then she blows a kiss and sits back down, while I’m doing everything humanly possible not to laugh.

But I end up snickering and then the camera is aimed at me.

“You think it’s funny? You could have given up your seat too,” she goes on. “But the two of you are the entitled ones and the entire internet is going to know. You millennials are the worst! And I’m going to make sure the airline puts you on their list to never let you fly again! How about that?”

I know it’s not possible, but now I’ve had enough.

I stand, forcing this woman to take a step back, and I take a menacing step toward her.

“Look, I don’t know what your deal is, but if you think this is going to intimidate anyone into bending to your will, you’re wrong.

Just like you were wrong to try to shame Liv into giving up her seat.

She paid to sit there. You didn’t. So why don’t you go back to the seat you were assigned to and leave us alone? We’re done here.”

I turn to sit back down and nearly collide with Darcy, who is smiling. “Thank you,” she says quietly. “I’ve got it from here.”

Slowly, I sit back down, fighting the urge to listen to the words Darcy is quietly but firmly speaking. Instead, I look at Liv, who is grinning.

“That was impressive, Sebastian. Like seriously impressive.”

“It really wasn’t. I should have stood up and stopped her the minute she started filming.”

“Yeah, but…then I wouldn’t have had the chance to show off my impressive modeling skills.” She winks, and I know she’s teasing.

“And while those skills were definitely impressive, I should have put a stop to it before things got to where they did. I had no idea people were this rude. Or petty!”

She studies me for a long moment. “Well, thank you for doing what you did. No one’s ever stood up for me like that, so…thank you.”

“I should have done it earlier too,” I admit miserably. “When you got on the plane, I should have immediately said something instead of just sitting here and making you and Darcy do all the dirty work.”

“To be fair, it wasn’t your responsibility. We don’t even know each other, so…”

“It doesn’t matter. It was the right thing to do and I should have done it, so…I’m sorry.”

Then, to my horror, her eyes fill with tears and she’s crying.

Shit.

“Liv, I…”

“If I wasn’t sitting right here with you, I swear I would think someone made you up! You’re so polite and nice and I never knew guys like you even existed! I’m just so used to people being crappy and like…here you are!”

She’s not openly sobbing, but I can tell it’s building up to it.

Luckily, the flight crew is starting their food and beverage service, so we’re saved from continuing this conversation.

Even though I ate in the lounge, I’m still going to order something, and opt for the burger with a bag of chips and a Coke. Liv orders the same, but with wine. When Darcy moves on to the next row, Liv looks at me with a small smile. “I swear I rarely drink this much. It’s just been a rough week.”

“Hey, you don’t owe me an explanation.”

“Maybe, but I feel like you’re looking at me like I have a drinking problem, and I swear I don’t.

Between all the stuff today and the eulogy, I’m also just struggling with my career.

I’m a writer with writer’s block. That can be the kiss of death for me.

On top of that, my parents are being absolute nightmares because they don’t understand why I’m struggling, and if I could, I swear I’d move to another country, change my phone number, and leave no forwarding address.

Is it wrong to just want to live my own life and write what I want? ”

“Um…”

For the next twenty minutes, she rambles on about her life, and honestly, I have a hard time keeping up. She goes from one subject to another and one minute she’s laughing, then the next she’s on the verge of crying again.

Maybe the crazy old lady with the camera was the lesser of two evils…

Our food is served and thankfully, Liv puts all her effort into eating, and I have a little peace and quiet. The burger obviously isn’t the greatest, but I’ve had worse.

“Sebastian?”

Dammit.

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry.”

I play dumb. “For what?”

“Because I’m pretty much just unloading all over you, and that’s not right. You’ve been nothing but nice to me, and I ruined it by being a freaking mess. I promise to let you enjoy the rest of your flight in peace. And again, sorry.”

I nod and go back to my meal, but out of the corner of my eye I can see that she’s all hunched over and I just know she feels bad. I’m not heartless, and maybe she just truly needs someone to talk to.

But she’s got a friend picking her up at the airport. Can’t she talk to them? I ask myself.

I don’t know the answer, but I know what I can and can’t live with, and I can’t live with knowing I turned away a person in need.

Inwardly, I sigh before finishing my meal. When I’m done, I lean back and turn to look at her.

“Liv?”

She looks at me without saying a word.

“You mentioned that you’re a writer,” I begin casually. “What do you write? Anything I might’ve read?”

Her eyes light up and that’s when I know I’ve made the right decision.

Just like I know I’m not watching any movie on this flight or playing any solitaire. This hot mess of a woman clearly needs a friend right now, so…I’m it.

And as she talks about cozy mysteries and romantic suspense books, I’m too intrigued to actually care about what I’m not doing.