Page 41 of Miles & Mistletoe

With that decision made, I straightened my spine, pushed my shoulders back, and lifted my chin.

“I’m fine. I just need to catch an Uber to the airport.” I was going back to Atlanta.

“That won’t be needed,” a male voice intervened.

I looked up to see Ian’s brother, Bruce, standing next to his wife.

“I will gladly take to you the airport.”

I shook my head. “No, that’s not necessary.”

“It is, and he’s more than happy to do it,” Kelly insisted. “Honey, take my car. The gas tank is full and the other cars aren’t blocking it in.”

Bruce nodded and placed a kiss to her lips. I lowered my gaze upon seeing the sweet exchange between the pair. It made my own heart ache in jealousy and the feeling of loss.

Clearing my throat, I smoothed down the sides of my dress. “T-thank you, Bruce.”

He nodded. “My pleasure.”

Within ten minutes we were pulling out of his driveway in a white Range Rover that was apparently Kelly’s vehicle. I barely took notice of the beautiful, cream leather interior. I felt too embarrassed to feel much else or to take in my surroundings.

“My luggage,” I suddenly said, remembering that my suitcases were still at the hotel I’d stayed at with Ian.

“Where is your luggage?”

“The Joule, where Ian and I were staying.” I fidgeted with my hands in my lap at the thought of having to see Ian again that night in the hotel suite. I didn’t think I would be able to get through that. At least, not in a civil way.

“I will go get it for you if you want me to.”

I pushed out a breath, feeling relieved. “I don’t know why you’re being so nice to me but thank you,” I blurted out.

A small laugh escaped Bruce’s lips. “I know how touchy my brother can be.”

I turned to Bruce. “According to Ian you’re the one who’s touchy and an ass … his words not mine,” I reiterated.

To my surprise, Bruce laughed, heartily.

“In Ian’s defense, he wasn’t entirely wrong. If he told you about me, I’m sure he also shared a little about how we grew up.” Bruce turned to me, questioningly.

“He did.”

“Then you know we both got it honest.”

I sat silent for a moment, just thinking about what Bruce had said. “That doesn’t explain why you’re being so friendly to me now. Especially, considering your brother swears I betrayed him and your company somehow.”

Bruce sighed. “Yeah, he’s pretty pissed. I suspect it’s not one hundred percent due to whatever betrayal he thinks you perpetuated.”

I raised an eyebrow. “So you don’t think it’s true? You don’t believe whatever Ian thinks I did?”

Bruce raised a shoulder, shrugging. “I have no idea. I don’t know you, but my instincts tell me it won’t hurt for me to at least be a friendly face until you get on that plane. Hang on, while I go up and get our belongings.”

I realized then that we had reached the hotel. I waited patiently as Bruce went up to grab my things. By then, I had half a mind to carry myself up to the hotel’s top suite and find Ian Zerlinger and tell him off, even worse than that first night we’d met. However, I simply remained in the car, nursing my hurt feelings, barely forgetting that fact that it was the night before Christmas.

“Where to?” Bruce questioned once he’d placed my suitcases in the back of the Range Rover.

“DFW,” I stated with a steadiness in my voice that I didn’t feel at all.

“Are you sure you want to chance the airport on Christmas Eve? Kelly and I would have no problem putting you up—”

“No.” I shook my head vigorously. “I need to get out of this city. If it’s too much of a hassle, I can grab an U—”

“No,” Bruce insisted, grabbing my arm as I had already started to open the door. “The airport is fine. Next stop, DFW.”

Closing the passenger door once again, I relaxed back into my seat. I was leaving Dallas. I’d have to report in to my employer once I landed, since technically, I was still on the clock. And that was if I still had a job once I landed.

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