Page 29 of Knot a Good Idea

“I’m not talking about the helicopter. I’m talking aboutyou. This isn’t like you. Even before…”

“Before the kidnapping?” I snap.

My mom sighs heavily, and a pang of guilt hits me. “Yes. I just want to make sure you’re not being self-destructive.”

“Spending a weekend with a billionaire is self-destructive?” I swallow nervously.

“It can be. Depending on why you’re going.”

My mom is right. The April from a year ago would never do this. I don’t even know Donovan. One fake dinner date would never be enough for me to spend a weekend with a guy, much less with one that lives three hours away from home.

“I’m doing this for me. To have fun.”

I can tell she doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t press the issue.

“Is that him?” she asks, and my jaw drops.

Sitting on the tarmac of the tiny Isleton airport is a sleek black helicopter. And leaning against it is Donovan, his arms crossed as he waits expectantly.

With the sunset in the background, it looks like something out of a movie.

Except this isn’t fiction. This is my life right now.

“Holy shit,” I breathe.

It’s just Donovan on the tarmac, dressed in a black dress shirt, jeans, and sunglasses.

He’s the one flying us.

And suddenly, I realize how impulsive I’ve been.

I don’t even know Donovan, yet I’m allowing him to fly me in a helicopter?

The April from a year before would be horrified.

But as my mom and I head to him, he smiles at me and my heart stutters.

I can do this.

“This is nice,” I call out, and his grin widens.

“Nice? I was hoping to impress you,” he says. “I guess not.”

My mom sighs next to me and extends her hand. “I’m Tammy, April’s mom,” she says, keeping her tone light. “So, you’re stealing my daughter away in a helicopter, are you?”

She’s teasing, but her body language doesn’t fool me.

She’s uncomfortable with the idea.

“Only for the weekend,” Donovan says, amused. He removes his sunglasses and shakes my mom’s hand, his smile softening. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tammy. I promise I’ll bring her back in one piece.”

I fight the instinct to roll my eyes.

“You better. Or I’ll send the entire state after you,” she growls.

I let out an awkward laugh as Donovan raises a surprised eyebrow. “Mom,” I sputter. “I’m fine.”

“I know you are,” she says to me before turning back to Donovan. “Just take care of her, okay? She’s been through a lot.”

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