A man was striding across the tarmac, pushing a large, unmarked cart. Tyler bolted to the front to speak with the captain.
“As soon as that’s on the plane, we’re out of here,” he said to him.
“What’s in the box?” I asked when Tyler finally sat down across from me.
He leaned over before buckling his seatbelt and kissed my cheek. “You’re too pretty to worry about things like that.”
I gave him a tight-lipped smile. It should have bothered me more that he was unwilling to tell me the box's contents. Although, as the plane ascended and I took my tablet out to do some work, I decided I frankly didn’t care.
“Are you going to put that down this weekend?” Tyler asked thirty minutes into the flight.
“Yeah, I will. I just wanted to wrap up a few things while I could,” I answered.
“I’ll be glad when you don’t have to do that anymore. Won’t you?” he asked.
I bit my tongue. “I actually enjoy my job,” I said, setting the pen down. “It isn’t a burden to me, and it’s my dream.”
“Graphic design? That’s your dream? I thought your dream was staying home and reading,” he said.
“I do love those things, but owning my own company and not having to answer to anyone while I make my own money is one of my dreams, too.”
“Why do you need to make your own money?”
“Because I was taught not to depend on anyone else—“ I held my head, calming my frustration. “Can we not talk about this now?” I asked. “I’m trying hard to keep an open mind about this weekend.”
His brows furrowed, hurt in his eyes. “What does that mean?”
I gave him a look. “You know I don’t always get along with your parents.”
“They’re my parents.”
“And there’s no rule that says I must like them,” I argued. “All it says is that I have to like you.”
Tyler reached across the table for my hand. “You know I love you,” he said.
“I know,” I sighed.
“And you know I wouldn’t make you do anything you don’t want to,” he continued. “But I have other things going on this weekend that I need to take care of. My mother and sister have wedding details that they want to finalize with you. My father wants to hear this proposal we’re working on… it’s a big weekend. Do you think you could try to enjoy it? Or, at the very least, fake it?”
My lips flinched with mild amusement. “As long as there are no more surprises,” I said.
“None,” he said. “I swear.”
Tyler’s family greeted us at a vineyard in the hills. It was sunset, and I had to admit how beautiful it was seeing the setting sun going down behind the vast rolling grape fields. Lights were strung up between some of the olive trees in the courtyard. I had Tyler tell me the vineyard's name so I could suggest it to Ezzie and Raegan for their wedding. I took a picture and sent it to her.
Wow, Ezzie replied.That’s gorgeous. How far away?
Tyler chartered a jet for the weekend. Took us a couple of hours, I replied.
Ooo… traveling the high life this weekend. Look at you, Ezzie teased.
It’s all for show, I replied.Are you two checking out venues?
We are. I might see if this place has a tour open tomorrow or Sunday.
If you come this way, let me know.
Asking for a rescue already?she asked.
