Chapter 2

The lead flight attendant arrived moments later.

She hesitated visibly when she saw the system note.

"Mr. Cole, the gate system can't reassign 1A."

Graham frowned. "Why not?"

"Operations has it locked."

"Unlock it."

"That needs authorization from the security department."

"Then call them."

He said it as if he were asking for another glass of water.

I stayed out of it.

The lead flight attendant went to contact Ground Operations.

Graham stayed in the aisle, looking more annoyed with me by the second.

"What do you do?"

"Engineering."

"For which company?"

"I can't discuss it."

He snorted.

"That's quite an act.

"The person Victoria is meeting today is an engineer too. That wouldn't be you, would it?"

I looked up.

"If she's Victoria Hale, then yes."

Graham froze for two seconds.

Then he laughed even harder.

"You?

"You're the blind date Mr. Hale arranged for Victoria?"

Several passengers in the front rows turned to look.

I was beginning to regret that my mother hadn't told me Victoria's flight details.

"Is there a problem?"

"No." He looked over my plain jacket and unbranded backpack. "I just think Mr. Hale's judgment has gotten interesting lately."

As soon as he'd finished, footsteps sounded near the cabin door.

Victoria Hale stepped aboard.

She was more intimidating in person than in the photo.

She wore a long charcoal coat, her hair pinned up neatly, with two company executives following behind her.

Graham went to meet her at once.

"Victoria, we have a small problem."

He addressed her by her first name, not as CEO.

Clearly, their relationship went beyond an ordinary boss-employee dynamic.

Victoria's brow drew together slightly when she saw me.

"Owen?"

"Hello."

I stood up.

"My mother asked me to give you her regards."

"Mm-hm."

She did not even shake my hand.

Her gaze swept over me as if I were merchandise that didn't match its description.

"We've met.

"We aren't compatible."

I hadn't even had a chance to introduce myself.

Several passengers nearby were already listening in.

I asked, "Why?"

She seemed to think the question was pointless.

"Our lifestyles, professional circles, and plans for the future. None of them align."

"We've barely spoken."

"Some things don't require a long conversation."

She glanced at 1A.

"Since there's no match to discuss anymore, let Graham handle the seat."

I suddenly wanted to laugh.

"You're sure there's nothing left to discuss about the match?"

"I'm sure."

"All right."

I sent my mother a message.

[Met her. Not a match. Don't set me up again.]

Victoria clearly thought I was only pretending to be unfazed.

"Mr. Reed, I wasn't trying to humiliate you."

"I didn't feel humiliated."

"Good."

She sat down in 1B.

Graham immediately turned to me again.

"How about now?"

"Still not moving."

Victoria raised her eyes.

"Are you doing this out of spite?"

"It has nothing to do with you."

Her face darkened slightly.

"Owen, one seat isn't worth all this."

I looked at her.

"Neither do I.

"That's why all I've asked from the beginning is that the rules be followed."