married.
He did not tell me his life story.
He certainly did not flirt.
That made me trust him more than charm would have.
About forty minutes after takeoff, I began noticing the looks.
At first, I assumed I was imagining them.
A young man across the aisle had glanced toward Luca several times.
Two women farther ahead whispered and turned around.
A teenager walking to the restroom slowed as he passed our row.
Luca noticed too.
His expression changed.
Not fear exactly.
Weariness.
He leaned closer to me.
“Can I ask you a ridiculous favor?”
“That depends on how ridiculous.”
He glanced across the aisle.
The young man was holding his phone upright near his chest.
“Would you mind pretending you fell asleep on my shoulder?”
I stared at him.
“You’re serious?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Why?”
“Because if they think I’m traveling with family, they may lose interest.”
I
