Free In His Sleep by Jennifer Talty

opened her cup, and stirred in the sugar. “He’s really nice.”
    “You don’t know him.”
    “I know he’s got a sister name Gretchen, and he lives alone and I think he’s in the same place in life that I am.” She glanced up and looked around, hoping to see him in the sea of people hurrying to get to their plane.
    “And where is that?”
    “Looking for someone to accept you for who you are. To be with someone who you can share your hopes and dreams with.”
    “I accept you, hon.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I don’t have a penis.”
    “No you don’t. But you’ll find someone. Come on, I think that’s our flight.”
    She followed Kirk down to the terminal and by the time they arrived, everyone else had boarded. She handed the agent her ticked and looked over her shoulder one last time, but Chad was gone to her forever.
    “You have his address, right?” Kirk asked after settling into the nice oversized airplane seats.
    “He gave me his business card, but I didn’t even look to see where he lives. Besides, if he’d wanted to see me again, he would’ve taken the ride to the airport.”
    “Something might have happened.”
    Yeah, like I’m a fool.
    “Wake me when we get home.” She propped the pillow against the hard window, pulled the blanket up to her chin, and closed her eyes. She might be a light sleeper, but she could sleep just about anywhere.
     
    * * * *
     
    Chad pulled out his blackberry and sent a nasty e-mail to his sister while waiting for flight attendants to tell him to put it away. If his sister hadn’t been bent out of shape because he hadn’t been in his room when she’d called, he might have figured out how to get a hold of Angie since he’d missed the designated hook-up time in the lobby.
    Her reply was immediate. He scowled. She thought he should slow down because he didn’t even know Angie.
    “I know enough.” He typed, and then hit send.
    He had looked in every coffee shop and magazine rack he could find at the airport but never spied Angie. He even waited until the last boarding call before getting on his plane.
    The plane bucked, and the captain mumbled something from the cockpit intercom. Chad rested his head against the seat back. He’d get some kind of payment from Angie’s company in a couple of weeks. He just hoped that there would be enough information for him to find out where she lived.
    After an easy takeoff, Chad reclined his seat and conjured up a picture of Angie, the one of her giggling and mooning him. That memory would last a lifetime.
    “Must be a good dream,” Kirk’s voice sounded in his ears, startling him.
    “What then?” He blinked open his eyes, knowing he hadn’t been asleep. He looked at Kirk, who was staring at him with daggers.
    “I should beat the crap out of you.”
    “What the hell did I do?”
    “You didn’t show up or have the decency to say good-bye.”
    “I got caught up.” Chad unbuckled his safety strap and rose. “Where is she?” He looked around the cabin but didn’t see her. He’d been one of the last people on, and sitting way here in the back, if she’d gotten on this plane, he would’ve known it.
    “Gentlemen.” One of the flight attendants approached them. “Is there a problem?”
    “No, ma’am.” Chad smiled. “We were just switching seats.”
    Kirk narrowed his eyes. “If you break her heart, I’ll break your neck.”
    “Fair enough. Now where is she?”
    “Two B.” Kirk slid into Chad’s old seat.
    “Thanks.” Chad fixed his shirt and strode up the aisle with the biggest lump in his throat. What the hell did he say to her? Believe in love? Of course she did. The question was did she believe in love at first sight, or sleep, or whatever.
    He slipped into the seat next to her, trying not to wake her. He just wanted to be with her for a moment. Hear her breathe. Smell her scent. Feel her presence.
    She sighed and shifted, lifting his arm and tucking her head in his shoulder. Her other hand came