After the woman processes his answer, her eyes widen in disbelief. She laughs awkwardly, unsure whether to take him seriously, while he remains stone-faced, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make her question if he’s joking. The tension hangs in the air, and she hesitates, searching for a clue in his expression.

Before she can ask anything further, he lets a slight smile break through and says, “Just kidding, they’re my nieces and nephews. I’m taking them to visit their grandparents for the summer.” The relief washes over her instantly, and she exhales, her laughter now genuine and warm, the earlier tension dissolving.

“You had me there for a moment! That was quite the line,” she says, still chuckling, her disbelief giving way to amusement. The moment shifts from awkward uncertainty to shared humor, the ice of the long flight beginning to melt between them.

He laughs along, the sound easy and relaxed, and admits, “Yeah, I get that a lot. It’s my go-to on long flights when people ask too many questions.” The two share a quiet, comfortable moment, their laughter mingling with the hum of the airplane, turning an awkward exchange into a subtle connection.