It was her, the poor woman people were still whispering about when he boarded the plane. Liam attempted to bite back the smile that crossed his face. What are the odds? He shifted to get to his feet.
Thunk.
His hand flew to his head as a sharp pain sliced through his skull.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry,” she said. “Are you okay?”
Liam grimaced as he met the woman’s eyes. Her cheeks were an adorable shade of red, making her blue eyes more prominent. She stared at him, not moving.
“Miss, we’re about to pull away from the gate. You need to get into your seat.”
They both turned toward the source of the voice and found a young flight attendant standing in the aisle.
Liam turned to grab her luggage and placed it in the overhead bin without preamble. The woman muttered her thanks and ducked into her seat. Her hands fluttered around her face, patting at her hair then tucking a few wayward strands behind her ear.
She buckled her seat belt then clutched her hands tightly in her lap.
Liam took his seat and leaned his head back. Closing his eyes, he pushed away the ache that plagued him. Sarah should have been here with him, sitting beside him and squeezing his hand when the plane took off. Instead, he was here only because it had been her dying wish.
He took a deep breath and counted down from ten. This trip was in her honor. She’d hate it if she knew he was moping.
“Business or pleasure?” The man sitting in the window seat leered at the woman between them.
She stiffened. “Pardon?”
His smile widened, and he ran a hand through greasy hair. “I’m visiting Colorado on business.” He leaned closer to her, and his voice lowered slightly. “How about you?”
The woman’s smile was forced, respectful. “Pleasure.”
“That sounds right nice. I don’t suppose you’d have time in your schedule for—”
Liam leaned forward. He reached for the woman’s hand, causing her to jump.
The man’s smile faltered as his eyes immediately dropped to the gesture.
Liam flashed him a smile. “Our apologies, sir. But my fiancée had a long morning. She’s too nice to tell you, of course, but she’d like to rest for the trip.”
Disappointment flickered across the man’s features, and he straightened in his seat. “Of course.”
Liam released the woman’s hand and settled back into his chair. He felt her eyes boring into the side of his face even as the plane picked up speed and rose into the air. His stomach flipped each time the plane rose and leveled out.
A smile touched his lips. “You don’t have to thank me,” he whispered. “Just try not to injure me anymore.” He peeked at her.
She gasped, and that lovely blush kissed her cheeks once more. She folded her arms and settled back into her seat, closing her eyes tightly. Despite her frazzled nature, she was quite attractive. Her bone structure was comparable to Sarah’s, but that was where the similarities ended. Her nose was small, and her brows were darker than her hair. When her skin wasn’t flushed, it was almost a light-caramel color. And if he wasn’t careful, she’d open her eyes and find him staring.
He faced forward and allowed his mind to drift to the life he now had. Now that Sarah had been gone for six months, it was like everyone agreed he needed to move on. But what if he didn’t want to? She’d been the love of his life. Living, breathing even, without her was nearly impossible. And now his friend Tyson wanted him to return from this trip to go on a blind date with his wife’s coworker.
Nope. That wasn’t going to happen. Only Tyson didn’t believe him. The poor woman he’d set Liam up with had already started texting him about their plans after the new year.
He tightened his jaw. Why couldn’t anyone see he wasn’t ready to move on? Not now. Possibly not ever. Everyone thought this trip was about him letting go. Well, that was the last thing he planned on doing. He was going on this trip to feel closer to her. Not to forget her. They would see. They would all see that there was no one else for him.
He closed his eyes, and Sarah’s smiling face filled his mind, easing the ache he carried. Sleep would come soon, and he’d feel a degree of peace.
Something tight and hard grabbed his hand, and his eyes shot open. The plane was rumbling, bumping from the turbulence as it descended in Colorado. Liam’s gaze flew to his hand, finding the woman clutching it tightly enough that his fingers had turned white.
Her eyes were wide, and her face was almost as pale as his fingers had become.
“You okay?”
She yelped and stared at him. “What?”
He gestured to his hand. “You’re cutting off the circulation to my hand.”
A gasp escaped her lips, and she yanked her hand away. “Sorry.”
Liam chuckled. “Don’t like flying much, do you?”
“Don’t make fun of me,” she muttered. “Not everyone likes flying.” They went over another bump, and she sucked in sharply.
“I wasn’t making fun—” He shook his head. “Never mind. It was nice meeting you.”
The wheels of the plane touched the ground, and he could see the relief wash over her. She glanced at him and opened her mouth but seemed to think better of speaking. Instead, she unbuckled her seatbelt with trembling hands.
“I think you’re supposed to stay buckled until—” He shook his head again. Whatever. It wasn’t like he’d be seeing her again. She could do what she wanted.
The plane came to a stop, and the pilot’s voice sounded over the intercom system. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve arrived in Denver. The temperature is thirty-eight degrees. It’s beginning to snow, so travel with care. Welcome to Colorado.”
Waves of people got to their feet and immediately reached for their luggage. Liam stood and took a step back, allowing the woman to get into the aisle and away from the greasy man she’d been sitting beside.
He glanced down the aisle toward the back and was whacked against the head again. Grunting, he turned to the source and found the woman staring at him, her eyes as large as saucers and a look of shock on her face.
“I’m so sorry.”
His eyes narrowed. “Well, third time’s the charm, I suppose.”
“Third time?” She shook her head. “I never—”
“Lady, it’s your turn to go,” a sharp voice behind him snapped.
Liam spun around and scowled at the young man. “Chill out, buddy. You’ll get off the plane soon enough.” He turned to face the woman, but she was already near the front of the plane. She glanced back at him for only a moment then disappeared as she disembarked.
“Trouble in paradise?” The man from the window seat sneered. “Looks like your woman might want some other company this trip, after all.”
Liam clenched his hand into a fist then released it. The man wasn’t worth his time. Liam yanked his duffel from the overhead compartment and headed down the aisle. None of this would matter once he made it to the resort. He had to focus on why he was here in the first place.