Their time in the terminal seemed endless. Shifting in their uncomfortable torn pleather seats, their eyes met only occasionally. Checking watches as if it made time pass more quickly, they were both in a hurry to arrive at the next destination. They each had a life to return to. They were on business trips again. When traveling this way, they seldom allowed for extra conversations. Today was going to break all the rules.
He began to pace along the windows in front of her. The sun flickered off his watch and caught her eye. She kept one eye on her story and the other on him. From a distance, she liked what she saw. He was oblivious to her glances. The delay of this flight meant he was missing a gathering at home. It also meant he'd be sitting in traffic on the highway for an extra hour.
Only a few more delays would take place before boarding would begin. In search of some stress relief, they happened to go for a walk independently of one another and ended at the same wine bar at the far end of the terminal. She arrived first and sampled a couple different kinds of wine before settling on a locally produced red. He had been there before during other trips through this airport and knew which he wanted. As he boldly ordered a glass, she lifted her head to see who he was. He drank the same as she just ordered. It was the best she had had in a long time. A smile and a nod invited him to share the barstool next to her. He accepted and offered to buy her drink. She accepted.
They talked for a while, but never exchanged names. Two glasses later, their plane was finally boarding. They found themselves in such pleasant and relaxing company that they never heard the call for boarding their plane. The wine steward asked where they were headed and tuned in to the last call for boarding. He alerted them that they were about to miss the flight. He grabbed a $50 from his wallet to cover all their drinks and they ran to the gate. Final boarding call for flight 1108. Just as they boarded, the doors were latched and preflight garble began.
The attendant asked for a volunteer to switch into an emergency exit row. The airplane was half full and these rows were nearly empty. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw him in that very same row. Immediately she stood to move to that row. The middle seat remained open between them.