Her shoulders relaxed.
“You’re all set, sir.”
Marcus nodded.
“Thank you.”
That should have ended it.
Victoria looked toward Kelsey.
“He’s First?”
Kelsey hesitated.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Victoria looked at Marcus again.
The question itself was small.
The tone was not.
Marcus noticed.
So did Kelsey.
“Yes.”
Kelsey repeated more firmly.
“He is.”
Victoria laughed once.
“Well, apparently they’re letting everyone buy upgrades now.”
Marcus turned fully toward her.
“What does that mean?”
Victoria’s face changed.
“I was joking.”
“Explain it.”
“Excuse me?”
“You said they’re letting everyone buy upgrades now.”
Marcus’s voice remained calm.
“What does everyone mean?”
Kelsey immediately felt the temperature change.
“Sir—”
Marcus raised one hand gently.
“I’m asking her.”
Victoria stared.
The people behind them had begun pretending not to listen.
Victoria’s face reddened.
“I meant the program has changed.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Her jaw tightened.
“You don’t know what I meant.”
“Then tell me.”
“I don’t owe you an explanation.”
“Then don’t make comments about me.”
Kelsey stepped closer.
“Mr…”
She looked toward his boarding pass.
“Ellison.”
“Yes.”
“If you’d like, I can scan you through now.”
Boarding had not started.
Marcus looked at her.
“No.”
Kelsey froze.
“I’ll wait with everyone else.”
Victoria shook her head.
“This is ridiculous.”
She moved her carry-on forward.
Marcus did not move.
“You’re blocking the lane.”
“No.”
He glanced toward the sign.
“We’re waiting for boarding.”
Victoria looked toward Kelsey.
“Can you please remove him from the line until boarding actually begins?”
Kelsey stared.
Marcus did too.
Victoria continued.
“I’ve been flying this airline for twenty years.”
“I don’t want an argument at the gate.”
Marcus almost laughed.
“You started the conversation.”
“I was trying to help you.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You decided I was in the wrong place.”