Chapter 2
A few days later, I went with Daniel to another airline brand shoot.
The photographer kept adjusting everyone's positions until Daniel and
Rachel were standing in the center.
"Captain Hayes, a little to your left. Rachel, half a step closer. "
I had been included in the group photo, too, but one of the staff
members casually moved me toward the side.
The camera clicked several times.
On the monitor, Daniel stood in his captain's uniform with Rachel beside
him, both of them facing forward, their shoulders nearly touching.
They looked like a couple.
Less than half an hour after the shoot ended, the airline posted one of
their photos.
The comments came quickly.
Perfect cockpit pair.
They look made for each other.
Golden Crew really is golden.
I locked my phone and said nothing.
Daniel was talking to someone nearby. Rachel stood beside him, adding a
sentence here and there. They were so used to each other's rhythm that
neither of them seemed to need to check who would speak next.
One of the business partners walked over, chatted with Daniel for a
moment, then smiled at Rachel.
"So how long have you two been together?"
For one second, no one said anything.
Rachel had clearly heard him.
She didn't correct him.
Instead, she glanced at Daniel, almost as if she were waiting to see
what he would say.
Daniel gave a short laugh.
"Long enough for me to know not to talk business with her before her
first cup of coffee. "
The man laughed with him.
I was standing less than two steps away.
"He's been married to me for eight years, " I said.
The smile disappeared from the man's face.
Daniel turned toward me.
Only then did Rachel speak.
"Claire, I'm sorry. I thought he knew. "
"He does now, " I said.
The man found an excuse to leave almost immediately.
Rachel lowered her voice and looked at Daniel.
"Maybe I should step back from the campaign. I don't want something like
this making things harder at home. "
Daniel answered without hesitation.
"No. "
Rachel looked up at him. "Daniel-"
"This isn't your fault, " he said. "It was just a misunderstanding. "
I watched them.
Rachel had been the one mistaken for my husband's partner.
Rachel was also the one Daniel was comforting.
On the drive home, I didn't mention the comments under the photo. I
didn't ask Rachel why she had waited before correcting the man.
I said only, "From now on, if someone gets the wrong idea during an
interview or a public event, I want you to correct it yourself. "
Daniel kept his eyes on the road. "I'll handle it. "
"Before I have to. "
He let out a breath.
"Claire, today was one awkward joke. "
"To you. " I looked at him. "I shouldn't have to stand next to my husband
and remind people that I'm his wife. "
Daniel didn't answer right away.
After a moment, he said, "I get it. "
That night, the lights were already off when Daniel's phone lit up on
the nightstand.
Rachel Lawson.
He reached for it and glanced at me.
"Crew issue. "
I didn't ask.
Daniel got out of bed and walked onto the balcony.
Through the glass door, I watched him answer the call. The tired look on
his face slowly eased as all of his attention shifted to whoever was on
the other end.
Then he reached back and slid the balcony door completely shut.