Alice took another deep breath and leant her head against the airplane window. She hated flying. Possibly more than anything else in the world. Well not really. She really, really hated Gabby. So bar Gabby, she hated flying more than anything else in the world.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she whispered quietly. Not quietly enough to escape the somewhat super hearing of Liam, who had also been dragged on this expedition to Chicago.

“I can’t believe you couldn’t do it yourself,” Liam replied, eyes closed. Unlike Alice, he had never had second thoughts about flying. “So remind me again. What am I getting out of this trip?”

Alice rolled her eyes. Why did she bring him?

“I’ll introduce you to Howie, Dana’s brother,” she replied dully.

“I thought you said he was straight?”

“I lied. But remember this, I have utmost respect for Howie so no stupid *****-over’s ok? If you like him that is wonderful news but I’m not giving you permission to have a ‘Chicago Fling.’ Got it?”

“Yes mother,” Liam sung. Alice wasn’t in the best mood, he understood that. “By the way, I’m very proud of you Al for having enough initiative to do this. It’s a big deal in fact, the last time I saw you this headstrong was when you were stalking Gabby after you guys broke up.”

“I’d like to think that is behind me Liam,” Alice said unmoved. “But thank you nonetheless.”

“No problem. I’m going to get some sleep. You should too. Night.”

“Night.”

She wasn’t going to sleep. Too many thoughts rang through her mind. What Alice was going to do when she got to Chicago was anybody’s guess she just hoped, for the sake of her relationship with Dana, that she’d make all the right choices.