A delayed flight. A snowstorm. Two strangers stuck in an airport hotel. He makes her laugh when anyone else would complain. She’s the serious doctor who forgot how to be spontaneous. He was dumped a week ago but left his ex laughing. She’s been stuck in the past for too long. One night. One minibar. One question: what do you want? Sometimes the best connections happen when you’re grounded.

Chapter 4: The Next Day

The airport was chaos as flights resumed the next morning. Yesterday’s canceled flights and today’s regular flights meant the airport was extra noisy and extremely crowded. Liz made it through security, found her gate, settled into her window seat, thankful to be away from the noise and the crowds.

The plane started filling. Pre-flight announcements were made. The usual rituals were carried out.

She stared out the window at the tarmac and wondered: Where was he now? Who was laughing at his jokes? The thought made her smile. She hadn’t realized just how much she needed last night’s escape from life.

“Oh hello?” Her heart stopped. That voice. She turned, and there he was—Deepak in the aisle, grinning as he stuffed his carryon in the overhead compartment.

“Are you stalking me?”

THE END