Grover “Shep” Shepherd is the only thing Felix Medrano loves more than being the current darling of Hollywood. He throws a star-studded surprise engagement party to declare their love to the world, and it’s a smash, save for one detail: Shep is a no-show. Felix knows Shep missed his flight home from New Orleans, but that was hours ago. What’s the hold up?<br><br>Shep’s still at the airport is what, watching flight after flight wing westward without him. Each time he sends Felix a progress report via text message, Felix replies with a romantic photo from their past, and Shep spends much of his airport odyssey Remembering When. It’s easy to see how these two fell in love, but can Shep possibly make it home in time to celebrate with Felix and their friends?

Say Cheese

In contrast to the prevailing cockfight and carnival barker atmosphere in Houston, the Phoenix airport was calm. Airline employees seemed busy, but not frantic. Passengers milled about, but not in a panicked throng. There were still plenty of Bluetooth earpieces and handle-barred hipsters, but they paid each other no mind.


A friendly gate agent assured Shep of a seat, and encouraged him to sit and relax until the plane arrived. He composed a quick almost home! text to Felix, but opted not to send it. He wasn’t on the airplane yet, after all, and he had nil interest in jinxing anything.


Chapter 12