AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He smirks.
“Jesus Christ, I don’t want to know. Just keep it out of office hours.” I shake my head. How Hayden finds time to get as much action as he does, I’ve no idea.
“You ready for the final push?”
“I am. We’ve got him right where we need him.”
I walk over to the display cabinet that holds some of the awards Atlantic Airways has won. I stare at the mixture of shiny plaques and laser-engraved glass before turning my back on it.
“Callaghan’s getting what he wanted. And we’re getting what we need.”
He looks at me. “You saved the airline. Not even a smile?”
I grimace, and he walks over and grabs my shoulder, squeezing it in solidarity.
“You did what you had to. Everyone in the office will sleep easier. You’re a great CEO, Jet.”
My shoulders tighten at his rare compliment.
“I’m glad someone will,” I say.
“What’s Ava think about—?”
“She’s no longer working for us.”
“Oh. And she’s okay about—?”
My jaw tightens. “She has her own life.”
He stares at me.
“I’m taking her out tomorrow night,” I grumble, regretting sharing the minute his brows shoot up his forehead.
“On a date?”
I press my lips together, my silence giving him all he needs.
“Never thought I’d see the day.” He smiles, strolling toward the door.
“Sometimes you have to move forward, or you’ll just keep standing still,” I mutter as I walk over to my desk.
He turns back. “Good for you.”
I sink into the deep leather chair as he leaves and pick up the framed photograph on my desk. I look at my mother’s wide smile as she stands with her arm around a ten-year-old me. The bright blue plane behind us shines like a jewel.
Just memories now. Something to haunt me, like Ava’s haunt her.
I push my finger and thumb into my eye sockets as the memory of her limp body in my arms surfaces again, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
“I’m fine, Jet,” she murmurs as I climb onto the bed beside her and pull her into my arms.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I slide my hand to her neck and check her pulse again as she closes her eyes. It’s steady.
“Don’t do that again, Ava,” I soothe, my voice low. “Don’t fucking scare me like that again.”
Her gentle breathing as she slips into an exhausted sleep echoes around the room. I stroke her hair back from her face, watching the way her features relax as my fingertips dust her cheek.
I press a kiss to her forehead and just hold her while she sleeps.
