Page 32 of Fit for Love

Emma rolls her eyes.“When are you going to strike out on your own?”

“Soon.”In fact, escaping Tierre’s clutches for good was my New Year’s resolution this year, but I just haven’t been able to get focused and work on my own designs—which is kind of important if you want to become a designer.

“Anyway,” Emma says, realizing she’s touched on a sensitive topic.“To answer your question: no.I don’t mind if youdon’tfly with us.”

It’s my turn to grin.“You’re probably going to be snuggling your husband-to-be the whole time anyway.”

As usual in this type of situation, Emma’s cheeks become the color of her hair.

“Floriduh?”Tierre tries to wrinkle his nose, but it is still too swollen from his most recent rhinoplasty.“Must you?”

“It’s for my best friend’s wedding.”And I have unused vacation days, so this shouldn’t even be a debate.

“Why can’t she have the wedding in Paris?”he asks.

“I have no idea.”

He sighs theatrically.“When is it then?”

I tell him.

“But… that’s when Fifi needs to be taken to the vet.”

Fifi is his pet chameleon who sees a reptile expert that I like to call He Who Must Not Be Named.“Have the intern take her.”

“Fifi doesn’t like that mopey bitch,” Mr.Boss says with a straight face.“She’s used to you taking her.”

I set my jaw and meet his gaze.“I can’t miss this wedding.”

If that means he fires me, so be it.It’s not like I have much more to learn from Tierre as far as designing goes, and my pay has never gotten to the point where it could cover more than my food and utility bills.

“Fine,” Tierre says magnanimously.“You may go to Florida.But if you get eaten by a shark, don’t come crying to me.”

Chapter14

Kendall

On my distinctly non-privateflight to Florida, I sit in the middle seat between a woman with a screaming baby and a guy who must be allergic to soap.

I blame Ashton for this misery.If it weren’t for him, I’d be on a private plane.The gentlemanly thing to do would’ve been forhimto refuse to fly private, not the other way around.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.This is your flight attendant speaking.Boarding is now complete.”

Yep.It’s officially too late to escape.Maybe I can hold my breath for the duration while plugging my ears?

My phone rings.

“Hey, Ems!”I exclaim after gladly fishing it out of my bag.“What’s up?They’re about to ask us to turn off our phones.”

For whatever reason, the baby stops crying long enough to give me a dirty look.

“Oh, you’ve boarded,” Emma says.“I was hoping I’d catch you before you passed security.”

“Why?”

“As it turns out, Ashton is not going with us, so if you want to join us, you can.”

Crap.“It’s too late.They won’t let me off now.”

---