Page 39 of Never To Be Mine

Focus on the goal.

Everything else was just noise.

Even if that noise started to sound an awful lot like my own thoughts betraying me.

13

JUNO

Istared out the window of the Uber as we pulled up to a private hangar at Van Nuys Airport. Of course. Of course he had a private plane.

The sleek white jet sat on the tarmac. Hollis stood near the stairs, talking to Toby, who was already filming something on his phone. Both of them looked annoyingly relaxed, like this was just an average day.

Hollis wore gray jogging pants that of course looked fucking hot, along with a T-shirt and Nikes. He looked like he could be heading to the gym or lounging around the house.

Men had it so easy.

I grabbed my garment bag and suitcase from the trunk, tipping the driver before I started the walk across the tarmac. I had looked up the address he sent me last night and figured out pretty quick it wasn’t LAX.

I should have known what he was planning when he told Kari he’d handle the travel arrangements.

Hollis spotted me and waved. That damn smile spread across his face.

“Of course you have a private plane,” I called out when I got close enough.

He shrugged, still smiling. “It’s more of a family plane. We all share it.”

“How nice for you.”

“You’re welcome to fly commercial if it offends you,” he said, his tone light but with an edge. “Or stay home. I can handle the meeting myself.”

I stopped in front of him, adjusting my grip on my bags. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

“That you are.” He gestured toward the plane. “After you.”

“Are you planning on documenting this meeting?” I asked Toby.

“Nope. I was just getting a few shots, and once the deal is done, I’ll put together another reel.”

I nodded. “Great.”

I started up the stairs without looking back.

The interior of the plane was exactly what I’d expected for someone with his wealth. Cream-colored leather seats, dark wood accents with gold accents, and enough legroom that I could probably do yoga if I wanted to. A flight attendant greeted me with a professional smile and offered to take my bags.

I settled into one of the seats by the window, trying not to feel impressed by the luxury surrounding me. This was nothing. Just transportation. A way to get from Point A to Point B without screaming babies and feeling like I was wallowing in a petri dish.

Hollis boarded a minute later.

“Want anything to drink before we take off?” the flight attendant asked.

“Water’s fine,” I said.

Hollis dropped into the seat across from me, stretching his long legs out like he owned the place. Which, technically, his family did.

“Comfortable?” he asked.

“It’s adequate.”