Chapter 291
**Sara**
I stood at the private airstrip, watching Tom's luggage being loaded onto his family's jet. Of course, he had a private jet. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a secret island somewhere, too.
I shifted awkwardly, still not used to all this wealth on casual display. When he'd first mentioned needing to catch a flight, I'd assumed we'd be heading to the main airport like normal people. Instead, here we were, standing on a pristine private runway with uniformed staff scurrying around like well-trained ants.
"You're sure you don't want to come?" Tom pulled me close, his breath tickling my ear. "Plenty of room in first class. Well, only class, technically."
"Some of us have actual jobs to go to. We can't all jet off to Australia on a whim."
"I could buy the company." His face was completely serious. "Just say the word."
I burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you're ridiculous."
"What? It's a viable solution."
"Normal people don't buy entire companies just to get their girlf- just to get someone time off work."
His eyes lit up at my near-slip. "Their what now?"
"Shut up." I buried my face in his chest. "You know what I meant."
"Do I?" His hands settled on my waist. "Because it sounded like-"
"Mr. Blackwood?" A crew member approached. "We're ready for takeoff."
Tom sighed. "Give me a minute."
"Of course, sir." The man retreated, leaving us alone again.
"So." Tom's thumb traced my jawline. "About that girlfriend comment..."
"Shouldn't you be boarding? Important business meetings and all that?"
"It's my plane. It leaves when I say it leaves."
"Abuse of power much?"
"Just efficient use of resources." He grinned. "We could resolve this girlfriend situation right now-"
"Go!" I pushed him toward the jet. "Before I change my mind about letting you leave at all."
"Letting me?" His eyebrows shot up. "I thought you couldn't wait to have the bed to yourself?"
"Changed my mind. Your fancy coffee machine isn't worth the hassle of missing you."
Tom's smile softened. "I'll miss you too."
"I didn't say that."
"Didn't have to." He kissed me, slow and deep, his fingers threading through my hair as he pulled me close. His lips were soft and demanding, making my knees weak as his other hand pressed against the small of my back.
I melted into him, savoring these last precious moments, until the crew member cleared his throat again.
"Mr. Blackwood, the weather report..."
Tom pulled back with a groan. "I'm coming." He pressed one last kiss to my forehead. "Try not to throw too many wild parties while I'm gone."
"No promises." I stepped back, wrapping my arms around myself. "Have a safe flight."
He walked backward toward the jet, still watching me. "You could still come with me. I'll buy you an entire wardrobe when we land."
"Goodbye, Tom."
"Think about it!"
I shook my head, laughing as he finally turned and jogged up the steps. Through the window, I saw him settle into what looked like the world's most comfortable airplane seat. He caught my eye and pressed his hand to the glass like some cheesy romance movie.
I rolled my eyes but blew him a kiss anyway. The jet's engines roared to life, and I backed away to a safe distance.
I watched until the jet disappeared into the darkening sky, already counting down the days until his return.
I sighed as Tom's jet became nothing more than a speck in the twilight sky. The private airstrip felt eerily quiet now, empty except for a few staff members discreetly cleaning up.
"Can I help you get a car, miss?" One of them approached me.
"Oh, yes. Thank you."
The ride to Jessica's felt longer than usual, probably because I was already missing Tom's stupidly expensive car with its heated seats and that new car smell that somehow never faded.
"Here, good?" The driver's voice snapped me back to reality.
"Perfect, thanks." I handed over the fare, adding a decent tip.
The night air hit me as I stepped out of the cab, the city lights twinkling against the darkening sky. My heels clicked against the pavement as I went to Jessica's building, nodding at the doorman who'd seen me enough times to skip the security questions.
The elevator dinged, and I stepped out, heading down the familiar hallway to Jessica's door.
I jabbed the doorbell, shifting my weight from one foot to another. The door swung open, revealing Emily in an oversized sweater and messy bun.
"Who are you?" Emily squinted at me, her messy bun defying gravity as she tilted her head.
"Very funny. I'm the ghost of roommates past, here to haunt your Netflix queue with terrible reality shows."
"I don't recognize you." She maintained her confused expression. "Are you selling something? We already have enough essential oils."
I rolled my eyes. "Where are Jessica and Emily? You know, the people I usually hang out with when I come here?"
"Oh, them?" Emily's face turned serious. "They're missing."
"Missing?"
"Yep. Vanished into thin air. Poof." She wiggled her fingers for dramatic effect. "Last seen heading toward the kitchen. Some say you can still hear the sound of wine bottles clinking if you listen closely."
"Right. Well, I'll come back when they're un-missing." I turned to leave, but Emily's hand shot out and grabbed my arm.
"Get in here, you dork." Emily yanked me inside with surprising strength. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To find less annoying friends?" I stumbled into the apartment, catching myself on the wall.
"Good luck with that." Jessica's voice floated from the kitchen. "We're the best you've got."
"That's a terrifying thought." I collapsed onto their oversized couch, kicking off my heels. The familiar cushions swallowed me whole - I swear this couch got comfier every time I visited.
Jessica emerged from the kitchen, a steaming coffee mug clutched between her hands like it held the secrets of the universe. "Want some coffee?"
"God, yes." I made grabby hands at her mug.
Her lips curved into that signature Jessica smirk - the one that usually preceded some form of torture. "Great! Kitchen's that way."
"You're the worst." I let my arms flop dramatically to my sides.
"The worst who has coffee." She took a long, exaggerated sip. "Mmm. So good."
"I take it back about missing you guys."
"No, you don't." Jessica perched on the arm of the couch. "We're delightful."
"Delightfully evil, maybe." I poked her leg with my toe. "What happened to being a good host?"
"Oh, I'm sorry." She pressed a hand to her chest in mock offense. "I didn't realize this was a five-star establishment. Would madam like her coffee served on a silver platter?"
"With two sugars, please."
"Get bent." She grinned over her mug. "Coffee's in the kitchen if you want it that badly."
"Nah, I'm good." I snuggled deeper into the couch. "Too comfy to move."
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