Page 47 of Until It Was Real

“No bags to check in?” the attendant at the first class check-in asks me when I hand her my identification.

Oh no! I left Rhett to handle all of the bags. We had two heavy suitcases filled with various Buccaneer’s Whiskeys. I’m such a jerk. I should have at least taken one of them.

“No bags?” the attendant repeats.

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

She hands me my boarding pass. “Have a nice flight.”

I make my way through security and rush toward the gate. I arrive as the flight is boarding. I start to join the line but I might as well enjoy the privilege of first class since I doubt I’ll ever fly first class again.

“Good morning,” the flight attendant greets me.

I force a smile. Judging by the way her eyes widen, my smile is more of a grimace.

She leads me to my seat. First class is empty besides me. Good. I can freak out about losing my job in peace.

I’m settling into my seat when she returns with an amenity kit. “You might want to freshen up.”

She doesn’t give me a chance to ask any questions before she’s gone. But now I’m curious. I make my way to the restroom and lock the door behind me. When I gaze into the mirror, I nearly scream. No wonder everyone’s being nice to me. I have mascara smudged all over my face and my hair resembles a rat’s nest.

Note to self. When you’re escaping a one-night stand, wash your face and brush your hair before leaving your hotel room.

I snort. As if I’m ever going to have another one-night stand. In fact, I think I’ll return to my previous policy regarding men. Avoid them at all costs.

I scrub my face until it’s clean. Then, I tackle my hair. The free brush and comb in the amenity kit are no match for my curls. I finally give up and pile my hair on top of my head. There. I no longer resemble a raccoon.

I return to my seat and settle in for the flight.

The same flight attendant arrives with a glass of champagne. “You look like you could use this.”

I don’t usually drink, but I’m making an exception today. “You have no idea.”

She giggles. “I have some idea. I was young once, too.”

“But were you an idiot who slept with your boss’s brother, who you also happen to work for? And who hates you?”

I nearly slap a hand over my mouth. Talk about oversharing.

“I’ll bring you the bottle,” she says before whirling around and marching to the galley.

She’s back in less than a minute with a bottle of champagne and some nuts. “I’ll serve breakfast once we’re in the air but you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach.”

I blink back tears at her kindness. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. Us women need to stick together.”

Once she’s gone, the tears slip from my eyes. I wipe them away and reach for my glass. I’m not going to worry about the consequences of last night now. No one can phone me while I’m flying. I’ll enjoy being unreachable for a few hours and hope my life doesn’t implode when I return to Smuggler’s Hideaway.

I down the champagne and reach for the bottle.

Chapter 16

“I’m not letting Dakota run from me.” ~ Rhett

Rhett

Ireach for Dakota and meet air. “Dakota?”

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