CHAPTER131
It’s amazing what the human heart can endure when you have a will like mine. It’s amazing how you can bounce back like you were, no matter what life throws at you. It’s amazing how many masks I must keep in my back pocket for when one gets smashed into a thousand pieces so I can slide a new one on.
We’re on a plane already, and I’m cool and controlled and acting like yesterday never happened. Redhead is gone, thank God, and Jake seems like the normal, good old Jake from before our vacation. The past week or so erased from memory. Just like that!
All is almost right with the world if I can just ignore all of that, forget all the tears and ignore the crazy way he makes me feel, that I can no longer honestly say is platonic. He’s on his cell despite me glaring at him about using it on the plane.
“Yes, that’s right.” He waves his hand at my expression, dismissing me as I picture us crashing into the ground. “No, it doesn’t need his permission; it’s my money.” He sounds annoyed with whoever he is talking to. “Exactly as I sent you.” He frowns into space, and I go back to working on my laptop. “As soon as … Let me know if there’s any more contact.”
He slides his phone off and chucks it down, giving me a wary glance, yet saying nothing. I’m working through a document and go back to being absorbed, ignoring him. I hate flying; it’s boring, stressful, and I’ve done enough of it to last a lifetime these past few months. Life has just reverted to complete normalcy overnight. I’m not sure how to feel, but it’s better than his absence and his anger.
“You look serious.” He’s appraising my profile as I stare at my screen and try my hardest to block him out.
“I’m working.” I try and ignore that probing gaze.
“So, it’s your serious work face?” I can almost hear the smile in his voice and squint up at him; he’s in playful mode, and I just sigh in response.
Great, that’s all I need; he can be irritating in this mood when we’re stuck on a long-ass flight. Think bored child without any toys and only me to occupy him.
“Aren’t all work faces serious, Mr. Carrero?” I respond sassily yet flatly, refusing to be distracted, still not completely back to normal with him but trying.
“Yours is especially serious this morning,” he teases, pinching my cheek annoyingly, and I quell the urge to react.
Lord help me.
“Perhaps it’s having me up and on a plane before sunrise, boss.” I’m trying so hard to stay focused on my screen and ignore his invasive hands, or I will never get this done.
“Perhaps.” He’s smirking; I can see it from the corner of my eye. He leans out and closes my laptop almost on my fingers. I flinch, pulling them away quickly, glaring at him icily.
“I haven’t saved that!” I point out.
“It saves automatically,” he shrugs knowingly, and I pout at him as I go to open it again, but he lays a hand on it firmly.
“Leave it. We have a long flight; I want you to relax.” He slides down in his seat as though demonstrating what relaxed looks like.
“It’s important,” I stress, irritation rising.
Only I could have a boss who doesn’t deem his own company’s business as important.
“It will keep,” his tone firm. His flicker of irritation makes me back down, wary of him still being touchy under the surface.
“Okay, fine. You’re the boss. How shall I relax, Mr. Carrero?” I sulk as he lifts a hand to the attendant and she comes over with the tray of champagne; he takes two and hands me one with a nod.
“Why is it always alcohol with you?” I sigh, sipping it anyway. I’m so not in the mood to refuse him.
“Proven method. I stick with what works.” He raises his eyebrows impishly, all hints of annoyance gone so quickly.
“The resurfacing of drunk Emma?” I’m still pouting, my tone tight as I say it, and I can feel his grin without looking.
Asshole!
“Maybe just tipsy Emma; she’s nice too.” He winks my way naughtily.
“Hmmm.” I’m unimpressed.
“Or just Emma. I like Emma just as much.”
I flicker a glance at him and turn away, unsure how to read the distant look in his eyes. He’s being unusually nice all of a sudden.
Guilty conscience?
“Maybe Emma and her other Emmas don’t like you much anymore,” I mutter quietly, averting my gaze to the bubbles popping in my liquid refreshment. Sometimes my brain has this amazing habit of saying out loud the most random of little thoughts hiding in the back of my head. It really is the worst trait, and I bite my own tongue.
“And why is that?” he chuckles, watching me steadily.
“Because,” I pout childishly. I don’t really want to follow this line of conversation and start a row.
“Just because?” he probes, his eyes burning a hole in my face, being stupidly obtuse, and grating on me.
“Do I need a reason to not like you anymore?” I know I’m being petty, but a small part of me has still not forgiven him for leaving me on that yacht and closing me out for days while he … never mind. This is why I should never have said it.
“I guess not. Would be nice to have one though. Can’t have random acts of boss-hating being thrown about,” he grins, adjusting his casual posture in his seat while making it creak. I stifle a laugh, despite myself; he can be funny sometimes, if not a little dumb. I frown again, trying to bring back my pout in a bid to stay moody.
“You could always just boss me into liking you again, bossy,” I tease solemnly, trying to retain my upset look and failing miserably. He’s too good at always bringing me around.
“I might do that.” He watches me for a long second, then frowns deeply. “Is it because I fucked off and left you?” There’s an edge to his voice with this question and a knowing look. I guess he’s decided now is the time to talk. We hadn’t yet, not about this."
