Page 8 of Two Tickets to Paradise

It looked like... admiration.

"That's... I don't think anyone's talked about me like that before."

He smiled and she almost cringed. She was about to disappoint him in just a few seconds.

"I was afraid that you were going to say that it sounded like some kind of metaphysical mumbo jumbo."

He leaned in closer to her and her eyes widened as she tried to guess what he was going to say.

And completely missed the mark.

"I bet you heardthatfrom your brother."

She nodded. "He's always said that I'm one of those Madame Cleo people because I liked crystals as a kid. And then when I got older in school, I got even more into crystals, but also meditation and stuff like that. Cam said that he was waiting for me to put on a turban and get out a crystal ball to tell fortunes."

Cora felt some of her old frustrations well up again as she said the words, but she forced a smile on her face.

"Sorry. You don't need to hear me gripe about my brother."

"Well," he gestured at the USO tag on his backpack, "I'm kind of a stand in for him. So go ahead and get it out. Maybe it'll be cathartic."

Cora picked up the cup that he'd brought her and wiggled it back and forth. "It's not fair. You brought me something sweet. I don't think I can repay that by grumping at you in place of my brother."

He shrugged. "I'm a willing surrogate if you want to do it."

Her lips pressed tighter together. "That's not the only thing."

Vince looked at her with concern in his gaze and damn it, it made him look even more handsome. "What happened?"

"It's more what didn't happen," she explained and gestured at the computer with her free hand. "I can't get you home around the storm."

Oh, she really hated the look she'd put on his face so she tried to explain it to him.

"With the current cancellations and the delays that the National Weather Service are giving us, there are going to be more grounded flights. I can get you rebooked for tomorrow or the day after if you'd like..."

"But?"

She tried to smile but only managed a grimace. "But there's no guarantee when the storm will ease up. I'm afraid that you're likely to spend a day or two here at the airport." She rushed on to get to what she felt might help the disappointment. "There is a USO in Terminal Two and I can make sure you get over there and situated. You'll have access to all kinds of services there. Food and drinks, they have gaming stuff there..."

She saw him shrug at that.

"Not a fan of video games?"

"I'm more of a board game guy. Or cards."

Cora nodded. "Like my brother, then."

"Is that a good thing?"

She smiled, brightly this time. "That? Yeah. Some of my best memories of Cam are our family game nights."

"Phew, that's one good thing in my favor."

"More than one," she spoke before she thought about it. Cora shifted back to the USO information. "They have places to sleep and places to rest. And Wi-Fi if you need it."

He nodded and she hated to see the slightest crestfallen look on his face. "Well, I should call my mom, but I'm not all that eager to do that."

She flinched at his words. "Is she going to be really upset that you're going to be late going home?"