-Oliver-

The intercom in the airport blared another boarding announcement. It was for our flight, but my boyfriend still wasn't back from getting coffee at the stand a few gates down. I looked through the crowds of people and smiled when I saw him headed my way. His dark brown, almost black hair was slicked back, and even though he was dressed down from his usual business attire, he still looked perfectly put together.

Brad had been working a lot lately and was gone on business trips more than he was home, so I was looking forward to our vacation. All I wanted to do was spend uninterrupted time with him, whether that was in bed or in front of a cozy fireplace or hiking through a forest.

"They started boarding for our flight," I told him, leaning in to kiss him as he made it to our gate.

"I still can't believe I let you convince me to leave sunny California for rainy Washington," he remarked, shaking his head slightly.

I kissed him again. "It'll be great. I promise."

I held his coffee for him as he gathered his laptop bag and rolling suitcase. I hoped he wouldn't have to work on our trip. It was supposed to be a break for him. He'd been distant and tense lately, so I wanted him to be able to relax.

As we approached the door, Brad handed our boarding passes to the gate agent to be scanned. I'd planned the trip and chosen our hotels, and he'd booked our flights. It had been a challenge finding places to stay that fit my budget and met Brad's expectations, but I'd managed to do it.

We walked down the jet bridge, waiting for the other passengers to file onto the plane. The flight attendant at the door smiled at us, and I gave her a wide smile back. We had walked past two rows of first class seats when Brad stopped in the aisle, glancing at the boarding passes in his hand.

"I'm right here."

I felt a silly grin spread across my face. "You got us first class seats?"

Brad shoved his suitcase into the overhead compartment. "No. I got mine with my airline miles from work." He turned and handed me my boarding pass.

Confused, I looked down at it. Seat 23E. My seat was in economy, fairly far back in the plane. "We're not sitting together?"

"Nope. Sorry, babe. I knew first class probably wasn't in the budget for you."

I was well aware of Brad's feelings about providing for his boyfriends, but I didn't think that would extend to the point where he'd rather have us sit separately than help pay to upgrade my seat. Stunned, I didn't know what to say. I'd been looking forward to holding hands and watching a movie together, or maybe resting my head on his shoulder to nap. I just wanted to be close to him.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. The other passengers seated in first class were all averting their eyes, and I realized I was holding up everyone else behind me, so I started moving forward. There was no point trying to talk this out with Brad. In a single moment, all of my hopes for this vacation were crushed.

-Cooper-

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. We had all stopped while boarding the plane, hung up near the front in first class while the boyfriend of the poor guy in front of me informed him that they'd be sitting separately. Who the fuck did that? Who would come on a trip with their partner and not want to sit with them? To make it worse, it sounded like the boyfriend was shaming the guy for not being able to afford a first class seat.

The line started moving again, and I glared at the boyfriend as I passed. He looked like a total douchebag, with an expensive watch on his wrist, designer clothing and an air of importance. Undeserved importance. I shuffled forward until I got to my row, hoping there would still be room for my bag in the overhead compartment. Hoping there would be room for me in these tiny seats.

The guy in front of me was sliding into my row, taking his place in the middle seat. That sucks even more, I couldn't help but think. His douchebag of a boyfriend deserts him in economy, and in a middle seat? Wow.

The guy had a resigned droop to his shoulders, and his chestnut-colored eyes were sad. I didn't know his story or the details of his relationship, but I felt bad for him.

I nodded and smiled at him as I shoved my backpack into the overhead compartment. "Sorry you've got me in your row. I'll do my best not to crush you," I joked, hoping to get a smile out of him.

A corner of his mouth lifted, and it was enough to satisfy me. I carefully lowered myself into the aisle seat, trying to fit my body into the impossibly small space. Despite my efforts, my shoulder was pressed against his.

"Have you ever tried...getting a bigger seat?" he asked, his eyes wandering over my body. I could tell he meant no offense and was simply curious.

I laughed loudly. "I usually go for the exit row, but I was too late this time." I held out my hand. "Cooper."

He took it, a smile finally spreading across his face. "Oliver."

"Is Washington home for you?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, just visiting. It'll be my first time there, actually."

I whistled low. "Lucky you. You're in for a treat. But I might be biased, since I grew up there."

Oliver's smile grew bigger, and a dimple appeared in his left cheek. He was cute, that was for sure. Too cute to have his boyfriend ditch him for first class.

"I'd love to hear from a local," he said. "My boyfriend and I are going to stay on the Olympic Peninsula. Visit the beaches, and the rainforests. The Hoh Rainforest is good, right?"

"The best," I replied, smiling back. "The peninsula is the most beautiful place on Earth. Nothing can compare. But like I said, I'm biased."

Oliver laughed. "I'm sure you're right. The pictures I saw were beautiful."

"Make sure you do the Hall of Mosses trail when you're in the Hoh. I'd recommend the Hoh River Trail too, but I take it you and your boyfriend aren't looking to hike too far?"

Oliver's smile dimmed. "No, we're not. My boyfriend's not much of a hiker."

"Didn't look like it," I quipped. "I, uh, was behind you while waiting to board."

I immediately regretted mentioning it, because Oliver's face flushed red. "You heard that."

I nodded. "I'm sorry. I can't believe he booked the two of you in separate seats."

"It's not all his fault," Oliver said, looking at the ground. "He makes a lot more money than me and flies all the time for his job, so he's used to a nicer seat. I can't really swing first class."

"Doesn't seem like it'd be much of a problem for him to swing buying you first class as well."

Oliver shrugged. "He doesn't provide for his boyfriends. He made that clear when we started dating, and I respect his decision. It's an equal relationship, so we split everything 50/50."

It clearly wasn't an equal relationship if Oliver made less money than his boyfriend, and it clearly wasn't fair that his boyfriend was fine with leaving him behind or letting him struggle. There was a lot I wanted to say, but Oliver was a stranger and it wasn't my business.

"Well, even if you don't want to hike far, there are plenty of shorter trails," I said, changing the subject. "Sol Duc Falls. Marymere Falls. Any of the beaches. Where are you staying?"

"Port Angeles for a few days, and then a lodge on the coast between the Hoh and Quinault Rainforests."

I nodded. "Great spots. I live near Forks, which isn't too far from either of those areas."

"You live on the peninsula?" Oliver's eyes were wide. "That's amazing. What do you do for work?"

"Deep sea fishing. I just finished a four month job, so I'm headed back home for a while."

"Wow. I'd love to hear about that. It can get pretty intense, right?"

He seemed enthusiastic about my job, so I laughed and began telling him the basics.

-Oliver-

My seat mate had successfully distracted me from the situation with Brad, so I was already feeling better. If I couldn't sit next to my boyfriend, sitting next to this friendly stranger was the next best thing, even if Cooper's bulk invaded my own seat.

I wasn't a small guy. I was just under six feet and spent enough time in the gym to be considered fit. Cooper, however, was enormous. He probably had three inches on me and had the shoulders and biceps of a linebacker. I spotted a couple tattoos on his forearm, and his dark brown hair and beard combined with his flannel shirt made him look like a lumberjack. I imagined he'd be intimidating to most people if he wasn't so damn friendly.

The flight attendant's safety speech interrupted Cooper as he told me about his fishing job. I looked past the woman in the window seat and watched as our plane turned on the runway. This was the moment I wished Brad were next to me. I was a nervous flyer during take-off and landing, and I could already feel my anxiety increase. I faced forward and closed my eyes, breathing out slowly.

"You okay?" I heard Cooper's voice rumble.

"I don't like taking off. Or landing." I forced my eyes open and looked over at him. "I'll be fine once we're in the air."

To my surprise, Cooper held out his hand, his palm facing up. In any other situation I'd hesitate, but I gladly accepted the offer of comfort and put my hand in his.

"It's only fair for you to crush my hand, since I'm crushing the left half of your body," Cooper joked.

"Thank you," I replied, my smile tight on my face.

The plane accelerated and I squeezed Cooper's hand. As I was pressed back into my seat, I felt Cooper's thumb stroking the back of my hand. The feeling centered me and gave me something else to focus on, and before I knew it the plane had leveled off.