First Class The airport was already alive by the time Ava and Mia arrived.
Rolling suitcases echoed across polished floors, flight announcements filled the air every few minutes, and exhausted travelers moved around with coffee cups clutched like lifelines.
Ava adjusted the scarf around her neck as she walked beside Mia toward the crew briefing room.
“You know,” Mia began casually, “one day your ability to wake up on time is going to destroy both our careers.” Ava barely looked at her.
“And yet here we are.
Still employed.” “Barely.” Ava smirked faintly.
That alone was enough to shock Mia.
“Oh my God,” Mia gasped dramatically.
“Was that a smile?” “Please be quiet.” “I’m serious.
You smiles.
Somebody write this down.” Ava rolled her eyes and continued walking.
People often misunderstood her silence for attitude.
Truthfully, Ava just never learned how to open herself easily.
She knew how to work, how to survive, how to stay composed.
But warmth?
That was harder.
Mia was the only person who managed to slip past the walls she carried around herself.
And Mia knew it too.
Which was exactly why she loved teasing her.
“So,” Mia continued with a grin, “when exactly are you planning on getting a boyfriend?” Ava gave her a flat look immediately.
“Never.” “I’m serious.” Mia stared at her.
“Ava, how do you feel being a twenty-five years old virgin?” Ava stared at Mia even more intensely this time, her mouth open in disbelieve.
“I feel incredible thank you.” “You have never dated anyone.” Ava struggled carelessly.
“I’ve never wanted to.” “Not even a little?” “No.” “Not even celebrity crushes?” “No.” “Not even that pilot from Flight 280 who looks like a walking perfume commercial?” Ava blinked once.
“Especially not him.” Mia groaned dramatically.
“You are impossible.” Ava laughed softly under breath as they entered the staff area.
Relationships had always looked exhausting to her.
Temporary.
Unstable.
People promised forever too easily.
And she had spent most of her life learning that people left anyway.
So no, romance had never really interested her.
Her dreams had always been simpler: Peace.
Stability.
A life she built herself.
And she already had that.
Or at least she thought she did.
– Two hours later, passengers were boarding Flight 728 to New York.
Ava stood in the business-class aisle with her professional smile perfectly in place.
“Welcome aboard.” “Good evening.” “This way, sir.” She moved gracefully between passengers, helping with luggage, answering questions, maintaining the calm elegance expected from her position.
That was one thing about Ava: No matter how chaotic her life felt internally, she never let it show at work.
Then they boarded.
Two men.
One looked relaxed and easygoing.
The other immediately drew attention without trying.
Tall Dark hair.
Sharp features softened slightly by exhaustion.
His fitted black coat rested over one arm while expensive-looking headphones hung around his neck.
There was something composed about him-quiet confidence without arrogance.
Beside him, the younger man nudged his shoulder.
“You seriously look like you haven’t slept in days.” “I haven’t,” the older replied calmly.
Ava stepped forward politely.
“Good morning, welcome aboard.” The younger brother smiled immediately.
“Thank you.” But the older one looked directly at her.
And paused.
She was smaller than he expected.
Cute too.
Not in an overly polished way.
More like…
unintentionally cute.
Especially with the tiny crease between her brows while she concentrated on checking their seat numbers.
“Seats 2A and 2B,” Ava said professionally.
Then it happened.
As she turned slightly to guide them forward, the heel in her hand caught awkwardly against her own shoe.
She stumbled.
Not enough to fall.
But enough to nearly lose balance before catching against the seat gently.
A tiny breath escaped her lips.
“…wow,” the younger brother whispered.
Ava closed her eyes briefly in embarrassment.
Meanwhile, the older brother looked away slightly to hide the smile threatening to appear.
Cute.
Small.
And clumsy.
For some reason, he found it amusing.
Not annoying.
Not embarrassing.
Ava straightened immediately like nothing had happened.
Professional again.
“I apologize,” she said calmly, though her ears had turned slightly pink.
“Right this way.” The younger brother grinned while following her.
But the older one stayed quiet, eyes lingering on her for a second longer then necessary.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
And Ava Carter had absolutely no idea.
– The flight took off smoothly.
Ava moved through business class with practiced elegance, checking seatbelts, serving drinks, handling requests before passengers even voiced them.
The older man noticed all of it.
She treated everyone kindly, but there was distance too.
A wall.
Like she knew how to care professionally without ever revealing herself personally.
That alone made him curious.
When she stopped beside their seats again, her polite smile returned.
“Would either of you like something to drink?” The younger brother answered immediately.
“Coffee, please.” She nodded before turning slightly toward the older one.
“And for you, sir?” Their eyes met briefly.
“Whiskey,” he replied.
Ava nodded softly.
“I’ll bring that shortly.” Then she walked away.
The younger brother leaned closer immediately.
“You’re staring.” The older one finally looked away.
“No, I’m not.” “You literally are.” A small smirk appeared briefly on his face.
“…she’s nice.” The younger brother nearly laughed.
Nice?
That was the word he chose?
Interested.