Page 52 of Give Me Forever Love

I’d never been on a plane before, so I was a nervous wreck when we stepped onto the private jet. As we took off, I white-knuckled the seat like a true terrified champ.

“Just relax, K. It’s going to be fine.” Bryce laughed.

“I’m trying,” I said, taking a deep breath. Once the plane leveled out and we smooth sailed through the clouds, I did chill out. The hum of the engine actually soothed me, and if I didn’t see puffy clouds passing by, I wouldn’t have even known we were off the ground.

Hours pass with small talk and laughter. Bryce rubs my feet and then picks on how small my pinky toe is. He wiggles it, which drives me mad, so I try to pull my feet away, but he holds tight and starts tickling them until I almost kick him in the face and pee my pants.

“Okay, okay,” he says. “That was really close.”

“Hey, you risk that when you don’t let up.”

He grins. “What happened to your face? Oh, my girl kicked me.”

I laugh. “That would be fun to tell people.”

He chuckles. “Nah, I’m good.”

I pull my feet back and sit cross-legged in the seat, looking out the window.

“You hungry?” Bryce asks me.

“Yes.”

He nods and grabs the black phone. “We’re ready for lunch,” he says and then hangs up.

“This is crazy,” I say, smirking. I know Bryce has money. It’s no secret with his three homes…well, two now that the loft above Red is gone. His garage is full of classic cars and his closet full of shoes, hats, and expensive suits, but this right here. This is flaunting.

He’s showing me how loaded he really is, and it’s a lot to take in.

I’m just an average chick who grew up dirt poor, and I didn’t make a fortune working for Karen.

I’m doing well now, but that’s because I half-own Mugs & Books. Still, I’d never be eating lunch on a private jet well.

“Why is it crazy?” he asks.

“Why? Bryce, we’re on a private jet flying God knows where.” I shake my head. “We come from two different worlds.”

“No, we don’t,” he says. I think about how he grew up.

“Okay, not totally different, but your life changed at thirteen. You went from poor to living at Grant Ranch, and I don’t think I need to tell you how awesome that is.

“You have a lot. You have it all,” I say in wonder. I hope he doesn’t think I’m shallow for saying that. His money isn’t what I want. I fell for the man before I knew he owned a nightclub and had all of this. In some way, I fell for him the moment I saw him on that staircase. I mean, it was obvious. It was the reason I couldn’t stop thinking about him and the reason why I left with him. Breakfast in the middle of the night will always make me think of my guy.

Bryce leans back in his seat. Lifting his hat a tad, he looks at me, his expression unclear. His eyes are tight, and they dart toward the window. “It could all be yours, too,” he says lowly before looking back at me to see if I heard him.

I smirk, not thinking more into that statement than I need to.

Even though I have.

I’ve wondered what it would be like to have his last name, his ring on my finger, but that will never be something I push.

Ever.

“Just give me Mugs & Books and I’ll be happy.”

“Done. It’s yours.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re crazy.”

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