Kat rolls her eyes, but her lips turn up at the edges.
“She does,” she says, surprising me.
I put my knife and fork down and sit back.
Kat looks up again.
“What?”
“You just said you’re fine. Then agreed with me that people who saythey’re fineusually aren’t.”
“Are you trying to be obtuse?”
“Are you trying to dodge the question?”
Kat shakes her head and looks down, repositioning the napkin in her lap.
“Kat?”
My muscles tighten, and a dullness spreads through my chest as I watch her.
She screws the napkin up before changing her mind and folding it neatly. She places it on the table.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to try to get some sleep. It’s been a crazy week.”
I kick myself mentally as she closes down before my eyes. Her famous icy facade slips neatly into place.
You idiot! Why did you push her?
Kat gives me her best professional smile before sliding herself out of the chair and making her way to the back of the plane and into the bedroom.
She stops and turns, her voice subdued. “Do you need anything from your bag?”
“No, I’m good. I’ll continue working on the brief with the information you’ve given me.”
She nods and disappears into the room, her limbs appearing heavy as though she’s carrying the weight of the world. The door clicks shut softly behind her.
I lean in, cupping my chin in my hand. This is not what I expected to find. Part of me can understand why Caleb pushed for me to help. He knows I only have his best interests at heart, and therefore, by default, Kat’s. What he doesn’t understand is that I’ve always had her best interests at heart, even when she’s hated me.
CHAPTER 10
JAX
Kat still hasn’t reappeared when the pilot announces we’re about to land.
I should have kept my mouth shut.
I’ve spent the past seven hours working through Kat’s answers and making notes on the project. I wasn’t wrong, Kat’s responses are both thorough and well thought out. The only problem is that they’ve created a thousand more in my head as I’ve begun to dig deeper.
I drop my head back against the seat and stare out of the window.
I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted in. The project she’s attempting is both innovative and brave. If she pulls it off, her position as queen of the hotel industry will be well and truly cemented.
“Jaxson, we’ll be landing shortly. Can I get you anything?” Claudia says, appearing in the cabin.
“No, I’m fine. Thank you,” I say, wincing at my turn of phrase as she collects the remnants of my last meal.
I switch off my computer and stow it on the chair next to me. I glance at the bedroom door. There’s been no sound from inside since Kat disappeared. She must be hungry. Guilt niggles me.
