“Good morning, Mr. Westwood,” a ground crew member said, approaching after I climbed out of the car. “Any luggage today, sir?”
Already moving to the stairs, I shook my head and motioned at the bag I’d slung over my shoulder. “Only this bag. Thanks, Robert.”
He tipped his cap at me and strode toward the hangar instead. I tossed my keys to the driver, greeting him absently but not really focusing on anything other than the flight ahead.
Nine hours until I get there.
It felt simultaneously way too long and like not nearly enough time at all. I had no plan. No idea what I was actually going to say when I got there, but I needed to get there. I should’ve been there yesterday. Two days ago, even.
I took the steps two at a time and stepped inside, the familiar, polished interior not doing a thing to calm me down today. Usually, it did. Just the knowledge that I was on the plane, on my way to wherever I was going normally made me feel like I was in control.
That wasnottrue today. I dropped my bag on the nearest seat, running a hand through my hair, and I settled on the chair beside it.Let’s go. Let’s go.
The door behind me opened and I turned, expecting the pilot, but instead, Jesse appeared, striding toward me like he was always going to be here.
I sighed. “Really?”
That was all I said as the door closed behind him. It felt like the appropriate level of disbelief, but it was also the only thing I had energy for. Naturally, my twin didn’t let my lack of enthusiasm get to him. “Are you serious about quitting?”
“Yes,” I said. “Why?”
His jaw tightened slightly, like he didn’t love my answer but would accept it. “Okay, then.”
Tension wound through the air between us, thickening until it was nearly palpable. I blew out a harsh breath, looking up into my brother’s eyes and wondering why he was sitting down across from me. “Okay, what?”
He settled into the chair, expertly buckling his seatbelt without ever breaking eye contact. “I’m not going to marry Eliza, Will.”
A humorless bark of laughter escaped me. “Damn it, Jess. You promised you’d take care of her.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Bullshit.” I gave my head a firm shake. “Actually, you know what? No. I’m not just letting youopt out. You can’t do that to her. She’s not a website cookie you can just decline.”
He sighed. “Somehow, I don’t think she’s going to be too upset about this.”
“She’s already dealing with enough. The last thing she needs is you backing out at the last minute and leaving her to deal with the fallout.”
“I’m not leaving her to deal with anything,” he said.
“That’s exactly what you’d be doing.”
He shook his head, so calm that he was annoying the shit out of me. “No. All I’d be doing is stepping aside.”
I scoffed. “That’s the same thing. There’s a contract involved, Jesse. This isn’t just about feelings and timing. There are actual consequences.”
“Yeah, I know,” he said, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a few folded sheets of paper. “About that, though. You should take another look at that contract you’re so worried about.”
I groaned, my head dropping back against the seat. “I don’t need to see that thing again. I’m the one who signed it, remember?”
“Exactly. That’swhyyou need to see it again.”
Exhaling harshly through my nose, I finally took it from him, unfolding it more aggressively than I’d meant to. “Will you please just tell me what the hell this is about?”
“I don’t know where your head was at when you signed it, butyousigned it, Will. As you.”
My grip tightened on the paper, my head shaking as I turned to the last page. “I signed on your behalf.”
“Maybe that’s what you meant to do, but you didn’t signmyname. You signed yours.”
