Page 106 of Perfect (mis)Match

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PIPER

Iwatched out the window of Vincent’s jet as a crew member loaded our bags.

“Thanks for coming with me,” I said as Vincent settled in his seat. “I’m bummed Darcy got sick.”

I was on my way to California for a meeting with an influencer who wanted to partner with Strapped for a capsule collection. Mercedes had set it all up thinking that Darcy and I could turn the trip into a West Coast inspo trip, but a bad cold had sent Darcy to bed for days, and she wasn’t willing to get on a plane with painful sinuses. Vincent had stepped up to come with me at the last second, as a cheerleader.

“Of course, I’m happy to be with you.” He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “I’ve got plenty of stuff I can accomplish while you meet with…Bebop Jones, or whatever her name is.”

I laughed at him. “Melody Jackson. Do you live under a rock? She’s everywhere!”

“Does she have any perfume deals?” he asked. “Because if not, I don’t know her.”

“Hey, maybe we can get her to sign on for a two-for-one?” I suggested.

“Please,” Vincent said with an eye roll. “I’m dealing with enough personalities; I don’t need to add a high-maintenance influencer to my list of headaches.”

The plane started to taxi.

“How long is this flight?” I asked.

Vincent glanced at his phone. “Uh, about six hours, give or take. Pilot said we’ve got some strong headwinds.”

I frowned. “They must be really bad, because I thought it was a five-hour trip?”

“Yeah, it’sreallywindy,” he said. “Plus, he said we might have to circle a few times once we get there. California celebrities, all vying to get in and out of the airport,” he shrugged.

I had every intention of working during the long flight, but the combination of a full meal, a few glasses of red wine, and the white noise of the engine lulled me into a deep sleep. I didn’t wake up until my ears started popping from the descent.

“We’re here?” I asked, rubbing my eyes and stretching.

“We sure are,” Vincent replied. “You were totally conked out. I’m glad you got to rest up, because it’s going to be a busy week.”

I shot him a look. “Week? Check your calendar—we’re only here for forty-eight hours.”

“Oh, that’s right,” he said with a nod, looking inexplicably mischievous.

The cabin crew came out to open the door, and I gathered my things.

“Piper,” Vincent said.

I paused to glance at him. “What’s up?”

“Welcome to Barcelona.”

I froze. “What?”

He gestured to the open door, and I walked toward it in a daze.

When I looked outside, it became clear that I was most definitelynotin Santa Barbara.

“What…what’s going on?” I asked him. “I have a meeting!”

He smiled at me as he walked closer. “You have a meeting next week. Your team and I got together to pull this off behind your back. Everyone agrees you’ve been working too hard, and you need a vacation.”

He had a point. I’d been putting in twelve- and thirteen-hour days lately, but I was loving every second of it. But so had Darcy.

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