Page 152 of Theirs to Take

Mina was heartbroken. Eli made good on his promise to have someone come over to their hotel room and pack up all his things. She had asked the guy to tell her where Eli was staying, but he refused. Apparently, Eli was staying in town, and that was all the guy was allowed to tell her. Mina knew that she had hurt his feelings by questioning if his marriage proposal was too soon, but she had a right to be skeptical. They had only been together for a week, and sure she had fallen in love with him, but what if it was all a fluke? She just needed time to think, but she never meant to push Eli out of her life altogether.

She got up before the sun and packed her things, wanting to get to the jet before Eli. If she could beat him there, she’d give herself a few extra minutes to work up the courage to say what she should have said yesterday—that she’d marry him. It was what she wanted, and Mina was finally ready to do something for herself and to hell with what anyone else thought about her and Eli together.

Eli had sent the car for her and when she slipped into the empty back seat, she felt a new wave of disappointment. Shethought that he’d be sitting in the back of the SUV, waiting for her, but he wasn’t. The driver told her that he was instructed to pick her up and deliver her to the jet when she asked him where Eli was. No one gave her any answers.

When she stepped onto the plane, the captain handed her an envelope with her name on it. “We’ll be taking off in about fifteen minutes,” he said. “Please make yourself comfortable.” Mina thanked him and he nodded, walking up to the cockpit. Mina sat down and ripped the envelope open, finding a letter from Eli. She’d know his chicken scratch anywhere. Mina took a deep breath as if preparing herself for what his letter was going to say, reading it out loud.

“Mina,” she whispered, clearing her throat. “I had to stay on here for a few extra days. I should be in the office early next week. I’ll see you then.” He signed it simply, “Eli” and she didn’t hold back the sob that escaped her parted lips. She put the letter on the seat next to her and buckled in. Mina was going to pray for a smooth flight and once she got home, she was going to have a good cry while soaking in a bath. Eli’s letter spoke volumes in the words that he didn’t say. It was cold and bland, leaving her lost. The one thing she was certain of was that he was done with her. She told him that she needed time, and now, it was her biggest regret.

Mina pulled her cell phone out of her purse and called Ben. “Hey, you,” she croaked when he answered the phone.

“Oh, honey,” he said. “What’s happened?”

“I think that Eli and I are over,” she sobbed.

“Over,” he repeated, “but, you two just started. When you texted me at the beginning of the week, you said that you were staying with him, and he was finally admitting that he had feelings for you.”

“Yeah, that part was true. He did have feelings for me, but I have a feeling that he doesn’t anymore,” she said.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Our week was great,” she said. “Then, last night, he asked me to marry him.”

“Oh my fucking God,” Ben breathed. “He asked you to marry him?”

“Yep,” Mina said, “he had a ring and everything. He said that he loves me.”

“And you don’t feel the same way about him?” Ben asked.

“No, I do feel the same way. I know that it sounds crazy, but I’ve fallen in love with him.” Mina wasn’t sure how she was ever going to get past her feelings for Eli.

“It doesn’t sound crazy at all,” Ben insisted. “I’ve fallen hard and fast before. I know how that feels. I’m guessing that you told him, no,” Ben said. “Given your state of distress.”

“I didn’t tell him no,” she insisted. “I told him that I needed to think about his proposal. I asked him to give me some time, and instead, he gave me space. He took off and left me alone at the hotel last night. And now, he’s ditched me to fly home on my own.”

“You’re terrified of flying,” Ben reminded.

“Yeah, I’m aware,” she grumbled.

“How long before you get home?” he asked.

“Four hours,” Mina said, “why?”

“I’ll meet you at the airport and pick you up. You can cry on my shoulder all you want,” Ben offered.

“Thanks,” she said. “I was going to tell him that I want to marry him,” she whispered.

“You were?” Ben asked.

“Yeah, I was coming to the hangar to tell Eli that I wanted to marry him, but he’s not here.” The captain came over the speaker and announced that they were ready for takeoff. He reminded Mina to buckle in and turn off all devices.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go, Ben,” she said. “We’re taking off.”

“Safe flight, honey. When you get home, text me and I’ll come to get you. We’ll figure this out together,” he promised.

“Thanks, Ben,” she said. “I know that I can always count on you.”

“Of course, baby girl,” he agreed. “Talk soon.” Mina ended the call and shoved her phone into her purse. She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. With some luck, her nerves would take a back seat to her exhaustion, and she’d sleep all the way home.

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