I get a whiff of garlic, and my stomach rumbles. “Is that a sanduíche?”

“Yes,” Tia Viviane says, smiling at me for the first time. “Want one?”

“You have enough?”

“We always pack extra.”

“Yeah, I’d never turn one down.”

Tia Viviane makes a production of handing over my sandwich, cautioning that it’s hot and slathered in butter and might spill. Tia Mariana pulls on Nationals guy’s seat back as she gets comfortable. Unable to resist joining in on the fun, I pass wipes and hand sanitizer to Tia Viviane. As expected, Nationals guy grunts, straightens in his seat, and hits the call button. The flight attendant glides to our row within seconds.

“How may I help you, sir?”

He removes his cap, then shoots daggers at Tia Viviane and me. “I’m kind of a big guy. Wondering if it might be possible to snag a less congested row somewhere so I can spread out.”

She gives him an understanding smile. “All we have available is the very last row, near the restroom.”

“I’ll take it,” he says as he puts up his tray table.

I try to cover my grin, but then I catch Tia Viviane’s wicked expression and decide not to bother. After Nationals guy gathers his belongings, I slip into the aisle to let him out, then wave goodbye as he lumbers to the back of the plane.

“Okay,” Izabel says, turning toward me as if driving away Nationals guy was only the first order of business. “So what’s the plan?”

For a man who prefers to be prepared for even the most minor event, I’m embarrassingly bereft of any good ideas. What am I going to say to Solange? Will she even care that I want to be in a relationship with her? I was pretty adamant that I would never be able to love her the way she deserves to be loved. Will she believe that I’ve changed my mind? My head’s going to explode.

I bite into the bread and moan my appreciation. I may not know how to tell someone I love them, but I damn well know how to eat a delicious flank steak sandwich.

“Dean,” Izabel snaps. “You can talk and eat at the same time, no?”

“Yes, yes. I’m just gathering my thoughts. I mean, as wild as this may sound, I’m in love with your daughter. I’m going to start with that and just speak from the heart.”

Her eyes soften. “Okay,” she says, nodding. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

Whether I’ll get anywhere with Solange, though, remains to be seen.

*  *  *

A full belly and a four-and-a-half-hour nap dramatically improve my mood. Not long after I wake, we’re touching down on Nevada ground, and I’m up and out of my seat as soon as the plane parks at the gate.