“You should spend it all. Down to the last dime, then send her the receipts.”
I chuckle. “Oh my goodness. She would die!”
“Did she say why they were firing you?” Capri asks.
“Something about budget cuts. I don’t buy it. How convenient for them to use me for the conference, then fire me after I’ve made them look good?”
“You’re better off without them.”
“I know that. But I don’t have to like it,” I agree, my attention drifting back to the stranger and the way his leg thumps like a nervous tick. “Hey, listen. I love you, babe. I’m gonna go pick a place on the map and see where five grand will take me. I’ll call you when I land.”
“Be careful, Cols. No fucking random strangers.”
She knows me well.
“I make no promises. Make good decisions for me, Capri. And tell my niece in your belly I love her big time.”
“Will do. Love you.”
“Your phone, Your Majesty.” I bow, handing over my saving grace.
He grabs it from my hands, sending me a nonchalant smirk. “Get everything figured out?”
I nod. “Yes and no. My sister knows I’m safe. But I’m not sure back home is where I’m headed. At this point, I could go anywhere.”
He looks at me quizzically but doesn’t pry. “Where’s home?”
“Timber Heights, South Carolina.” I take a seat beside him, not bothering to ask permission first. Something about this guy makes me sad, and I can’t pinpoint it.
Despite his kindness toward me, I can tell there’s a darkness beneath his…dismantled surface. Not in a dangerous way, but in a way that makes him seem defeated.
Like life has taken a toll on his spirit, and he’s fighting to stay alive.
Maybe it’s the annihilated suit and lack of personal belongings, but his appearance in the airport seems a bit spontaneous.
No idea if that’s a reflection of him. I don’t know the guy. But based on judgment alone, he’s a big fat question mark.
“Never heard of it.”
“Most people haven’t. It’s a small beach town where no one is safe from their private life going public,” I tell him. “But anything is better than going home to face reality.” I laugh, trying to downplay my situation despite already causing a scene.
He stays silent, and I take that as my cue to leave. I hastily stand and adjust the bottom of my saturated sweatpants. “Well, it was nice meeting you…” I now realize I don’t know his name and wait for him to fill in the blanks.
“East Voss,” he tells me.
“That short for something?”
“Easton.”
I grin. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Easton. Thanks for your help today. I didn’t realize how much I needed your kindness.” Without another glance, I spin on my heels in search of a new adventure.
“Hey, lost girl,” a deep voice calls for me.
Turning to face him, my thoughts soak in his name for me. “Lost? I’m offended,” I joke, holding a hand to my chest. “What part about me looks lost? Don’t tell me it’s the mud all over my ass?”
“Didn’t even notice.”Liar.But then his brows drop slightly, and his gaze falls to his lap. He’s lost in thought. I expected him to tell me goodbye, and I’d be on my way. An offer was the last thing I anticipated. The offer of a lifetime, to be exact. “I’ve got an extra ticket. It’s yours if you want it.” He sounds worn out. Breathless and just barely making it through the day. “I’ve got no use for it, and I’d hate to see it go to waste.”
My heart stops. “Ticket?” I question, a hopeful excitement rushing through me.
