He didn’t reply to Sylvie. He also didn’t send another text to Olivia.

He sent one to his boy who was on her.

Where’s my woman?

The reply came quickly.

Peeled off fifteen minutes ago when she hit the door to DIA. She had no tail so I thought she was good. She’s not with you?

His thumb ready to move on his phone, his head snapped up when he heard a soft, delicate, winded, “I made it!”

He saw Olivia, looking flushed and flustered, smiling apologetically at the flight attendant as she rushed around the corner into the aisle.

Her eyes came to him.

Her smile got bigger.

He slid out of his seat and did it frowning at her.

Not only at her, at the fact she was late, smiling like she hadn’t scared the shit out of him, and last, she had no luggage with her.

“Hey, sweetheart,” she greeted as she made her way to him. Reaching him, she put her hand to his abs and stretched up for a kiss.

He continued to frown down at her so her smile wavered, her eyes grew confused and she aimed her kiss at his jaw.

She slid into her seat while the flight attendant gave the announcement they soon would be closing the door.

He sat and texted Casey, She’s here, all good.

He then turned to his girl.

“You gonna wear that outfit all weekend?” he asked as Olivia tucked her purse under the seat in front of her.

She straightened, grabbing her seatbelt and looking to him.

“Sorry?”

“Babe,” he grunted. “Luggage.”

“I checked it.”

He stared at her.

“That’s why I’m late,” she explained. “Traffic on 225. Just a semi off the road, but everyone had to slow down to gawk. Then I had to check my bag.”

“You think to return my texts so I didn’t worry?” he asked.

“I told you I was on my way and you know I don’t text and drive, Nick,” she retorted, her attention to her lap as she clicked her belt. Done with that, she again looked to him. “And calling you or texting you would have delayed me getting to you.”

“Checking your bag delayed you too.”

She shook her head in abbreviated shakes, like a head shudder, indicating she found what he said distasteful.

Her tone stated the same thing when she decreed, “I don’t do carry-ons.”

“Liv, we’re gonna be gone two days.”

At that, she stared at him.

Then she lifted a hand in a sweep up her front, ending with a flourish around her head, and asked with incredulity, “Do you think this happens with security allowances of carry-on liquids?”

Nick felt his body jerk.

Then he burst out laughing.

“No,” she snapped through his laughter. “It doesn’t. One day. Two. Three. It doesn’t matter. I’d have to be gone an hour to do carry-on.”