Chapter 1 – Ally

“Are you a member of our Frequent Flyers Club?” The ground stewardess labelled Ally’s suitcase and typed something into her system.

“Yes. Sorry, I forgot.” Ally searched through her wallet. Like her life, the bulging mass of leather overstuffed with receipts, crumpled bills, and forgotten cards was a chaotic mess, and it took her a while to find her membership card.

“Thank you. Just give me a moment.” The woman frowned as she stared at her screen; Ally suspected her account had expired as she hadn’t flown with the airline in years.

“Is everything okay?”

“Absolutely.” The woman looked up with a smile. “Would you like an upgrade? Free of charge.”

“Seriously?” Ally’s dark brows shot up. She hadn’t flown business since she’d resigned from her job three years ago, and she’d braced herself for a long, uncomfortable flight that would likely leave her exhausted by the time she arrived in Amsterdam. “Of course, I would love that.”

“Excellent.” The ground stewardess printed her boarding card. “Here you go. Have a great flight, Miss Brenner. The lounge is a five-minute walk from your gate. Enjoy.”

***

Ally had missed the Emerald lounge at Vancouver International Airport, with its polished marble floors, the soft glow of recessed lighting, plush armchairs, and leather sofas that looked out over the runway. The familiar notes of oak and vanilla made her feel a little nostalgic as she secured a table by the window and removed her trench coat. She used to come here with her colleagues every other Monday, and although she didn’t miss her old job, she did miss the perks of having a big travel budget. Running a small project management company with her friend now, Ally didn’t splash out on expensive flights. Perhaps that would change if her upcoming pitch was a success.

As she ordered a glass of chilled Chablis and helped herself to a few salmon blinis and a small bowl of olives, she noted not much had changed. She even recognized one of the bartenders, despite him having grown a beard since the last time she had been there.

Heading back to her seat, a woman across the bar caught Ally’s eye. She ordered a martini and took a careful sip before scanning the lounge. She had short, blonde hair and big, blue eyes emphasized by eyeliner. She wore a sharp-cut black suit, and a leather laptop sleeve was wedged under her arm. Their eyes met, and the woman smiled. There was something familiar about her, but Ally couldn’t recall ever meeting her. Curiously, she kept her gaze fixed on the woman and failed to spot a passing waiter carrying a glass of red wine. She bumped into him, causing the wine to tumble off his tray and splash everywhere.

“Fuck,” she muttered and winced when she saw the big, red stain on her white shirt. “I’m sorry, it was my fault. I was distracted.” She noted the waiter’s shirt was covered in red stains, too. “I’m so sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” he said politely, wiping his neck with a napkin. “I have another shirt in the back, so don’t worry. Wait here, and I’ll get you something to clean that stain with.”

Ally sat in the nearest nook and inspected the damage. She didn’t have a change of clothes in her hand luggage and doubted the stain would come out.

“Thank you,” she said when the waiter returned with a wet cloth. She was about to start rubbing it over her chest when someone put a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t.” It was the woman from the bar. “You should put salt on your shirt instead. It will soak up the stain.” She picked up the salt from the table and handed it to Ally. “It’s best to take the shirt off and sprinkle the salt over it.”

Ally arched a brow as she looked up at the woman. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I promise it works.”

“If you say so…” Ally started unbuttoning her shirt, then remembered she was only wearing a bra underneath. “I can’t,” she said with a goofy grin. “I’ll be near naked if I take it off.”

“That wouldn’t be so bad,” the woman said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

No idea how to reply, Ally laughed nervously while she let her comment sink in. Is she flirting with me? It was a strange thing to say.

“Seriously. It’s a nice shirt. It’s a waste if it gets ruined.” The woman pointed to Ally’s trench coat. “Why don’t you put that on? I’m sure the flight attendant can get you a pajama top from first class to wear on the flight. They’ll have spares.”

“Okay. That’s a good idea.” Ally contemplated going to the restrooms but decided her seating nook was private enough for a quick change. She grabbed her coat, turned around, and swiftly swapped her shirt for her coat. “I look like a flasher now, don’t I?” she said sheepishly, tying it firmly at the waist.

The woman laughed. “I wouldn’t run away if I saw you standing behind a tree.”

There it was again. Another comment that could very well pass for flirtatious. Before Ally could reply, the woman had grabbed her shirt, draped it over the coffee table, and emptied the salt dispenser over the stain.

“There you go. That should work miracles if you leave it for a while. The rest will come off in the wash.” She smiled. “And now that I’ve seen you in your underwear, I might as well introduce myself. I’m Candice Blackwater.”

“Ally Brenner,” Ally said. “Thank you so much for your help.” Part of her was intrigued by Candice’s strange comments. Was she giving off gay vibes today? Ally wanted to clear the air, but randomly announcing she was straight seemed like an awkward thing to do, so she let it go and pointed to the chair next to hers. “Want to join me? I’d buy you a drink but it’s free here. I can get you one, though.”

“I’m good. I already have a martini, but yes, I’d love to join you.” Candice sat, stretched her legs in front of her, and sipped her drink. “Mm…I needed this. It’s been a long day,” she said with a sigh.

“Did you come straight from the office?” Ally asked.

“No. I worked from my mom’s house today, but I started at six this morning and I haven’t had a break.” Candice checked her watch. “I like long-haul night flights. They’re an excuse to relax. Don’t you think?”

“It is now. I was lucky to get upgraded.”

“Oh, good for you.” Candice raised her glass in a toast. “I’m off to Amsterdam. What about you?”

“Me too. What takes you there?” Ally asked. “Let me guess. You’re in the laundry business?”

“I wish. That would be blissfully straightforward and stress-free. No, I’m a private investor. I got lucky in the property market, which enabled me to move on to bigger commercial builds. I only focus on the financials, though. I don’t get involved in design or build, but I found that the Netherlands is a fruitful market, so I relocated there.”

“Interesting.” Ally regarded Candice. Despite her no-nonsense dress sense, there was something playful about her. “Are you based in Amsterdam?”

“Yes, but I’m Canadian. I fly back and forth regularly. I have investments in Vancouver, and my family is there. Do you live in Amsterdam?”

“No, I live in Vancouver. I run a project management company together with a friend, and I’m pitching for a job in Amsterdam tomorrow. It’s for a huge warehouse conversion.”

“So, we’re in the same kind of business,” Candice concluded.

“Yes, albeit at opposite ends. You hold the reins, I’m just the workhorse,” Ally joked. “We’re in the final stage of the selection process, so one of us has to be there in person.”

“Cool. Are you nervous?”

“Yes,” Ally admitted. “I’m terrified.”

“I can’t tell from looking at you. You have a calm presence.” Candice shot Ally a smile over the rim of her martini glass. “Are you prepared? Do you have a clean shirt with you?”

“Always.” Ally laughed. “I’m totally OCD when it comes to pitching, and I packed ten decent outfits, which is ridiculous since I’m only there for two nights.”

“That’s a shame. Amsterdam is a beautiful city. Will it be your first visit?”

“Yes, but we’re busy wrapping up a job here, so I couldn’t spare more time.” Ally narrowed her eyes at Candice. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”

“I don’t think so.” Candice looked away for a beat. “But perhaps we’ve crossed paths in Vancouver?”

“Hmm…” For some reason, Ally wasn’t sure she believed her. She was good at reading people, and she had a feeling Candice was lying. Not that it mattered; Candice was just a fellow passenger, and it was unlikely they’d ever see each other again. “Well, I’m glad we met now,” she finally said, pointing to her shirt. The salt had soaked up some of the wine, and the red stain was fading. “It looks like you saved my shirt.”

Chapter 2 – Ally

Ally was greeted by the sight of plush leather seats bathed in soft, ambient lighting. The spacious cabin exuded an aura of refinement, with modern decor and clean lines adding to the sense of elegance. She sank into her seat’s embrace and made herself comfortable while the flight attendant searched for the pajama top she’d requested. She kept an eye out for Candice, who had left for the restrooms just as they were about to board. With only forty business-class seats, she couldn’t be far away.

Staring out of the window, healthy nerves swirled in her core. It was finally happening. The chance to land a big, international client and grow their company was so close she could almost taste it. Ally and Dan had worked very hard in the past years, but if they won the pitch, every single all-nighter would be worth it. They’d started working for small companies, spreading their focus over sometimes twelve projects at once. It wasn’t until they changed their strategy and took on fewer but bigger clients that things started to shift for them. They’d built a credible portfolio and got noticed by the industry now.

“No way.” Candice’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “Hello again. Is this really your seat?” She held up her ticket. “I’m in 3b. I’m next to you.”

“Oh. What are the odds?” Ally lowered the screen between them so they could see each other better. “Let me know if you want privacy. I won’t take it personally.”

Candice laughed. “I normally keep to myself on flights, but I’ll admit, I’m delighted to have you as my neighbor.” She smiled at a flight attendant offering them a glass of Champagne and passed one to Ally. “Cheers,” she said. “To new friends.”

“To new friends.” Ally returned her smile and took a sip, cursing herself for not making more of an effort with her appearance. Her long, dark hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and she hadn’t bothered with makeup. On top of that, she was wrapped in her trench coat and waiting for a pajama top that would no doubt be far from charming. “Can you sleep on flights?” she asked, pulling the elastic band out of her hair and shaking it loose.

“No. But that’s okay. I always look forward to doing nothing, so I don’t mind. Can you sleep?”

“Never,” Ally said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on a long-haul flight, though. Traveling has been thin on the ground since Dan—he’s my business partner—and I started our company. Most of our clients are in Vancouver.” A funny, nervous flutter ran through her core as she met Candice’s eyes. It was a strange and unexpected sensation, and she swiftly turned her gaze to her screen. “I like to watch movies on flights. I tend to fall asleep easily at home, so I rarely make it until the end.”

“My guilty pleasure on flights is sudoku, crosswords, and gossip magazines.” Candice pointed to the shopping bag on the floor between her feet. “But I like movies too.” She tilted her head. “Are you married? Boyfriend? Girlfriend?”

“No husband or boyfriend,” Ally said, ensuring there was no question about her sexuality. “I’m single.”

Candice bit her lip and shot Ally a look that caused another flutter. “Same here. Single.”

Focusing on her Champagne, Ally wondered what caused her to react to Candice in such a physical manner. “Are you… Are you gay?” she finally asked, then waved a hand. “I’m sorry. Was that too personal of a question?”

“Not at all.” Candice laughed. “Do you get that vibe from me?”

“Yes,” Ally admitted. “Not that I care,” she hastily added. “It was just my first impression.”

“Well, you’re right. I’m forty-one, very, very gay, and I’ve been single for four years. I have fun, but I rarely meet someone I click with.” Candice finished her drink and put her glass to the side. “How long have you been single?”

“A little over two years. My ex-partner moved to Paris for work.” Ally paused, deciding on how much to share. “Long-distance didn’t work out for us,” she finally said.

“Have you dated since?”

Ally shook her head and let out a sarcastic chuckle. “No. I’m done with drama. I just want to focus on my career.”

“Fair enough. Personally, I never seem to have time to focus on dating,” Candice said. “But I won’t lie, I miss intimacy.” The corners of her mouth tugged up. “I miss sex.”

“Yeah.” Ally chuckled, and a blush rose to her cheeks. “It’s been a while.” A silence fell between them, and she was glad the flight attendant arrived with her pajama top.

“Here you go, Miss Brenner. It’s probably too big for you, but it was the only women’s size we had left.” She pointed to their glasses. “Would you like me to refill your glasses before takeoff?”

“Sure.” Ally felt nervous and a little anxious, but by now, it had nothing to do with her upcoming pitch and everything to do with her neighbor.

Candice put up her aisle screen, shielding them from the other rows of seats. “Go ahead. It’s nothing I haven’t already seen,” she joked. She turned away, waited for Ally to get changed, and turned back when Ally handed her trench coat to the flight attendant to stow away. “That’s better.”

“Much better.” Ally was aware of Candice’s eyes lowering to the swell of her breasts. The simple navy top was soft and comfortable but way too big for her. It was hanging off one shoulder, and the V-neck barely covered her bra.

“I like the neckline,” Candice said, arching a brow. She had the kind of boyish smirk only overly confident people could pull off.

Ally shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Okay, I have to ask. Are you flirting with me?”

“Uh-huh.” There it was. The cocky confidence of a woman who was used to getting what she wanted. “Do you mind?”

Ally’s pulse raced as she stared at Candice. This was a first, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. It was flattering and entertaining, but Candice’s unapologetic honesty also shocked her a little. “As long as you don’t expect me to flirt back.”

“I don’t. At least, not yet.”

“Not yet?”

Candice dropped a silence as she looked her over. “It’s a long flight. Anything can happen.”

“Anything apart from that,” Ally said. “I think you have the wrong idea of me. I’m one hundred percent straight. But by all means, keep going. It’s doing wonders for my ego.”

Chapter 3 – Ally

“Ever been on a romantic date with a woman?” Candice turned on the LED candles that came with the dinner service. Their tables were laid with white linen and silverware, and she’d dimmed their overhead lights.

“No.” The question made Ally laugh, and she didn’t dare look her in the eyes. “I’m straight,” she stated again, examining her tuna tartare.

“Hmm…” Candice dug into her Arabic mezze. “This is pretty romantic, though, don’t you think?”

Ally chuckled and shook her head. “Whatever it is you’re trying, it won’t work.” She attempted to sound casual, but the flutter in her stomach kept returning each time Candice turned up the charm.

“We’ll see.” Candice checked her watch. “We still have seven hours.”

“When was your last romantic date?” Ally asked, ignoring her advances.

“Last month. It wasn’t that romantic, though. There was no chemistry. I decided to explore online dating, but that was a mistake. It’s impossible to gauge if there will be chemistry when you meet someone online, so I’ve found it to be a waste of time.”

“I’ve tried it too,” Ally admitted. “I went on three dates with men I met online, but they were nothing like their profile suggested. One didn’t even look remotely like his picture.”

“That bad?”

“Yeah. He had this funny, bleached quiff and was orange from too much self-tanner. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bothered at all.” Ally grinned. “His name was Tanner, which made a lot of sense when I met him in person.”

Candice laughed. “At least it makes for a good story. Mine were just boring.” She scooped a piece of pitta through her hummus, topped it with harissa, and held it out for Ally.

“No, I’m good,” Ally said.

“Oh, come on. It’s tasty. Try it.”

Ally gave in and let Candice feed her the morsel, which felt oddly intimate. “You’re right, it is nice.” She hesitated. “Want to try mine?”

“Sure.” Candice smiled as Ally scooped some tartare onto her fork and handed it to her. “Mmm…” she said, licking her lips. “Good.”

Ally stared at her mouth. Did she do that on purpose? Candice licked her lips slowly like she had other things than food on her mind. She had nice lips, full and peachy, and her top lip curled up just a little. That mouth had been around Ally’s fork, and she was alarmingly aware of it when she took her next bite.

“What’s your favorite food?” Candice asked.

“Anything Mexican,” Ally said without hesitation. “My grandparents from my mother’s side are Mexican, and my mother’s a great cook.”

“So that’s where you got your exotic looks from. I was wondering about those dark eyes. They’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” Ally suppressed a grin. She had to admit that she liked the attention, and Candice’s flirty, forward manner certainly made the journey more entertaining. She hadn’t been bored for a moment so far; women never flirted with her, and it was an interesting new experience. “What’s your favorite food?” she asked.

“Hmm… Let me think.” Candice turned to her and rested her arm on the leather divider between them. “Oysters, peaches…” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “And there’s something else I love like to eat. Would you like to know what that is?”

“No need. I think I have an idea,” Ally said humorously. Jesus. This woman was direct and wasted no time going after what she wanted. “And as I said, your efforts are wasted. I’m straight.”

Candice checked her watch again. “But I still have six hours and forty minutes.”

“I’ll still be straight in six hours and forty minutes,” Ally retorted.

“We’ll see about that.” Candice thanked the flight attendant, who cleared their plates, and she rubbed her hands together when their dessert arrived right after. “Yum. Chocolate mousse.” A mischievous smirk played around her mouth when she glanced at Ally’s plate. “Grilled peaches and mascarpone. Who’s eating peaches now, huh?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t order it, considering it’s your favorite food. Want to swap?”

“Thanks for the offer, but I prefer watching you eat that peach.”

“Of course. Why am I not surprised? It won’t make me any gayer though.” Ally took a bite. “Mmm…” She moaned like it was the best thing she’d ever eaten, then narrowed her eyes, pretending to analyze her state of mind. “Nope. Still straight.”

“That was a sexy sound you made. Will you please do that again?”

Ally laughed. “Is there nothing else you like to talk about? Something doesn’t involve sex?”

Candice shrugged. “I’m under time pressure. I can’t afford to get sidetracked by chitchat about hobbies and family history.”

“How about pets? Do you have pets?”

“I have a pussy.”

“Seriously!” Ally widened her eyes at Candice.

“I am serious. I have a cat named Pussy.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not. I adopted her from a shelter three years ago. She’s an old girl, almost eleven now.” Candice took her phone out of her purse and showed Ally the picture set to wallpaper.

“Aww. She’s cute.”

“See?” Candice shot her a triumphant look. “Do you have a pussy?”

“No. I don’t have pets.” Ally wasn’t going to take the bait. “I love animals, but I’m not home much, so it wouldn’t be fair. Who’s looking after your Pussy?” She could barely keep a straight face as she asked the question.

“My neighbor’s fourteen-year-old daughter.” Candice winced. “Ouch. That sounded wrong on so many levels.” She chuckled. “She hangs out in my apartment with her boyfriend and feeds Pussy when I’m away.”

“Fourteen-year-olds? I bet they’re up to no good.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve hidden my liquor stash just in case.” Candice tried her chocolate mousse and nodded in approval. “This is delicious. Want to try?” She scooped more onto her spoon and held it out for Ally.

“Sure.” Ally used her own spoon instead and chuckled when Candice gasped.

“Hey, you’re ruining the moment. I was trying to make a move.”

“You’re right. It’s delicious,” Ally teased.

Candice smiled wickedly and pointed to Ally’s plate. “Okay. You’ve tried mine. Now, can I try your peach?”

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