If what he said was true, the guy hasn’t been avoiding me because the BnB overlords instructed it, but because he didn’t want to be an added element of tension in an already strained relationship with my father.
A nonexistent relationship.
Maybe Karl Newton wasn’t as blatant about his dismissal of me as I always thought. I guess that makes sense, because publicly shunning me would also mean acknowledging my existence.
All this has danced around my head while serving pounds of meat at Beefiesandwaiting tables at the dinerandtrying to observe mymom’s health without her realizing I’m worryingandunclogging the too-small pipes in our kitchen sinkandcramming in ground school during the late-night hours.
Today, seeing George again, maybe the whirlwind in my mind will calm. Maybe I just need to go up in the air, with my arm pressed against his, and I’ll find a sense of peace and not be overwhelmed by these revelations.
Unfortunately, my stress level spikes rather than dips when I reach the tie-down spot for George’s Cessna 172 only to find the space empty.
Did I mix up the time we were meeting?
I fish my phone out of my bag and see that I have a text.
George:Taking the plane up before our flight. I’ll be back by 1:30.
I glance at the time to see it’s 1:25. And before I even put my phone away, I hear the approach of a plane engine. Shielding my eyes, I spy a familiar aircraft making the approach.
Of course, the landing is as smooth as a hot knife through butter.
“Show-off,” I mutter, fighting a grin.
But my eager cheer takes a nosedive when George taxis off the runway and aims the plane toward where I’m waiting, giving me a clear view into the cockpit.
He’s not alone.
Beside him is a gorgeous woman with dark hair, tanned skin, and a straight set of pearly white teeth I can see as she laughs.
George is also smiling. Also laughing. Having a grand time with…
Who is she?
My best guess is Meghan Markle because hot damn, they looksimilar. But that doesn’t make any sense. George doesn’t know British royalty…right?
Actually, who knows? BBN does try to cater to the one percent. They’ve probably had royalty in their vehicles at some point.
Does he have a girlfriend?
Or could this be his ex-wife, Elle? Shawn did say they were still friends…
I make sure to stand clear of the tie-down he’s heading to and use the time before their arrival to compose myself.
So what if George is flying with beautiful women? Doesn’t matter to me. The man can do whatever he wants with whoever he wants.
I’m fine.
I’m perfectly, completelyfine.
The propeller slows to a stop, the world suddenly quiet without the roar, and a moment later George and his companion disembark. His eyes find mine, and he strolls straight to me.
“Have you been waiting long?”
I shrug. “Five minutes maybe.”
“Beth!” The tall, gorgeous stranger approaches, grinning wide, face eager. “I can’t believe it’s you.”
What is that supposed to mean? What’s so unbelievable about me? I find myself very believable, sometimes painfully so.
