They mocked the woman in seat 22C—until two fighter jets aligned with her window, and a pilot spoke her name in a way that made the entire plane forget how to breathe.

to.”

He opened his mouth, then closed it. There was nothing to do with that except carry it away.

Claire came next.

“I built a whole career on reading rooms,” she said quietly. “Turns out I only knew how to read status.”

Olivia considered her.

“That’s common,” she said.

Claire let out a breath that might have been a laugh if it didn’t hurt. “I won’t forget continue reading …