Thanks to Nihil Thornberry for careful, helpful, and encouraging edits.
"Can you pick me up at the airport?" Janice's voice was deep and rich as always. "I'm coming to Los Angeles for a conference and my paranoid husband doesn't trust the ride share to be vaccinated."
I didn't hesitate. "Sure. Which airport?"
"LAX. Staying at the Bonaventure downtown. Do you know it?"
"I've driven by there, yeah."
"Oh, thank you. I haven't seen you since the funeral. It will be great to catch up. I'm boarding now. Kiss-kiss."
I knew the flight from Texas would take about four hours; plenty of time to shower, shave, find casual clothes with the fewest wrinkles, and make the 90-minute drive to the airport. Plenty of time to think about the last time I saw Janice at my wife's funeral. They had been best friends since seventh grade.
Now in her mid-sixties, Jan was still "the hot one" among their group of friends. Despite being only 5 feet, 4 inches, her wide shoulders and confident stride made her imposing to many. Along with her mouth-watering figure, my favorite of her features was her full head of pure white hair. Not salt-and-pepper (like mine), not gray, but stunningly white and worn in the "helmet" style that was still fashionable among upper-class women in the south.
She was funny, sexy, and she gave great hugs. When we parted after the funeral reception, I received a long, breast-pressing hug before she leaned up to my ear and whispered, "Take care, Lover."
Lover? First time she ever called me that. She was my wife's best friend and married to a high-powered lawyer. Strictly off-limits, at least beyond the hugs and occasional flirting.
Now, I found myself standing in baggage claim, reading the monitors for all flights arriving from DFW. I spotted one that had just landed when a text message pinged my phone.
"WEARING A HEAD SCARF. WHEN YOU SEE ME, CALL ME DIANNE REALLY LOUD. WILL EXPLAIN."
Odd, but my father always told me to do whatever a lovely woman asked.
A few minutes later, a woman with a long coat, that did little to hide her large breasts and curved backside, strode into baggage claim. A green silk scarf almost completely covered her gorgeous white hair. Large sunglasses and the required "covid mask" completed the look. She could be any of a dozen Hollywood stars trying to not be recognized.
"Dianne!" I shouted, waving. "Over here, Dianne."
She smiled and waved, all but running up to me. "Well done, Lover." She gave me a platonic hug, but her subtle perfume made me want more.
I paused at hearing the affectionate nickname again. "What's this about, 'Dianne'?"
She nodded to her right. I turned and saw a man in a black suit still scanning the concourse. He was holding a sign with her last name. I looked back, my expression questioning her further.
"Either my husband arranged for a limo, or that guy is a private detective. Did I mention he's paranoid? Let's not let on, shall we?" A quick kiss on the cheek through both our masks, and she handed me her baggage claim check. "Olive colored Samsonite. Be right back."
And she was off to the ladies' room. By the time she returned, I had her bag and was waiting far off to one side of the limo driver, who was now looking concerned at the dwindling number of new people. But, as we started for the door, I saw him look our way.
"The jig may be up."
Sure enough, he followed us out; across the busy loading area, and into the parking garage. He joined us while waiting for the elevator. The fact that he did not ask her name told us he was more than just a driver. When the elevator arrived, we all stepped in. I quickly asked which floor.