Page 53 of The High Price Of Loneliness

Edward’s practical logic was undeniable as he said, “It will need to get fixed sooner or later. It might as well be while we are out of town, and you don’t need your car. Yes?”

She thought about it and could find no plausible arguments to debate his offer. “Well, if it is not too much trouble…”

Taylor, overhearing the discussion, chimed in, relieving her worry and said, “It will be no trouble at all, Ms. Hart. I know one of the guys at the Nissan dealership, he is a good friend, and I’m sure they will be happy to help.”

As Angelica handed her car keys forward, she said, “Thank you so much!” She always felt safe with Edward, but now she felt even more profoundly that way. Going through a crisis together, even a little one, makes you feel closer. All the stress had left her body, leaving only relief and euphoria. What a great way to get to the airport, and what great company to be with! She was almost glad that her car wouldn’t start now. And it would not be left at her office parking lot all weekend until they returned.Even better, she thought.

Taylor pulled the full-size, long-body Escalade into the Rectrix Airport parking lot at the Sarasota jetport entrance. Angelica pressed her face to the SUV window to ogle at the sleek, streamlined jets of various makes and types. Each looked prepped and waiting for their passengers to zip away whenever ready with no schedules to check and no security lines requiring you to remove your shoes and be probed and searched. Private aviation was a different lifestyle. Angelica smiled shyly at Edward as this was his world, not hers.

Sensing her fish-out-of-water dilemma, Edward offered, “Let’s get checked in, and I will show you around a bit if you like.”

She nodded silently and waited for him to arrive at her passenger door. The door opened to a new world as Edward’s warm palm was there to help her step down and she said politely, “Thank you.”

Edward slipped his arm gently around her waist to keep her close to his side as they walked towards the double doors of the jetport. The sounds of plane engines in the background of various pitches and speeds were heard as some were winding down and others were taking off.

Gray opened the glass entrance door to the jetport for Angelica, which held a small lounge with comfortable oversized leather chairs and a refreshment center, plus a wall of electronics and avionics equipment for the private pilot enthusiast to browse. Edward guided her to the check-in counter manned only by an older gentleman, wearing a leather flight jacket covered with patches and insignias of various types, who looked like a veteran pilot who lived in this world. Greeting them, the older man said, “Hello, Mr. Gray.”

Gray nodded his head and respectfully replied, “Good afternoon. Here to check in with you.”

The jetport manager pulled out an iPad for Edward to sign in with. After a few clicks on the tablet, the gentleman said, “Mr. Gray, your Gulfstream 650 is fully fueled, and your pilots have already completed their preflight check-in and filed your flight path with the tower. You and your guest can load and board at your convenience. I will radio your pilots to let them know you have arrived.”

Gray nodded and added, “Thanks for the great service. We’ll see you back here Sunday.” He squeezed Angelica’s side slightly once, indicating it was time to head out. They rejoined Taylor who had loaded all their bags from the SUV to a rolling jetport cart, and the three of them headed towards the waiting white Gulfstream.

As she looked at the sleek, swept-back-looking lines of the 650, Angelica said with giddy excitement, “It looks like it’s going fast even just sitting there parked on the ground!” Curious, she said, “If you don’t mind me asking, what does a jet like this cost, Edward?”

Gray was never someone to talk about what he owned or how much things cost. It was not how he was raised, nor did he feel the need to impress anyone with what he had. His eyes narrowed, and his lips squeezed into a narrow line before he replied, “This model runs around 65 million dollars new, but most clients like me use fractional ownership where we pay for flight hours used, not the entire plane. It is much more cost-efficient that way.”

Angelica, processing what he said, asked, “Kind of like a time-share condo?” Wide-eyed, she hoped she got the concept.

Agreeing with her quick and accurate analogy, Edward smiled and said, “Exactly like a time-share.”

Taylor met the copilot just outside the baggage compartment on the tarmac, and the two began loading the baggage into the Gulfstream, which could have held much more cargo than they were bringing aboard. Angelica now realized packing for the trip didn’t need to be limited to her one suitcase.Mental note for the next time.

Gray guided her to the sleek stainless steel and white staircase leading them into the plane and said, “Ladies first.”

She climbed the ten steps upward to enter the jet, and there she was greeted by a lovely redheaded flight attendant in uniform who greeted her with a warm smile and said, “Welcome aboard, Ms. Hart.”

Angelica smiled and said, “Thank you. You are so pretty!” She always complimented other beautiful women. She turned and looked across the most luxurious and opulent interior with light tan leather seats and couches, which looked ready to comfortably hold fifteen or more people. She was surprised at the size of the jet for just the two of them.

The attendant, sensing Angelica’s hesitation, added, “Sit anywhere you like.”

Angelica paused, waiting for Edward to arrive and guide her. In a deep voice, he said, “Good morning, Crystina.”

“Great to see you again, Mr. Gray. Good to have you aboard. Please get comfortable in your seats, and I will be over momentarily to take your drink and dinner orders.”

Gray nodded and led Angelica to the two oversized first-class style seats connected without an aisle separating them and gave her the window seat. They were just settled in when Crystina arrived with her smile again.

“Care for a drink before takeoff?” she asked them, acknowledging them each individually with her eyes.

Edward looked at Angelica and asked, “Care for a glass of wine, champagne, or a cocktail?”

Now hearing the full bar menu, Angelica requested, “How about a mimosa?” She smiled as she thought of their recent brunch at the Ritz, which had led to her daylong next level of training.

Looking into his eyes with a twinkle, she smiled, and Gray, getting her subtle reference, said, while gently squeezing Angelica’s hand, “Two mimosas, please,”

She leaned into his ear so that the flight attendant might not hear her and said, “This is so impressive, Edward. I knew it might be fancy, but I had no idea!” Her eyes were still wide from taking it all in as the sound of a champagne bottle popped in the Gulfstream’s small, but well-appointed kitchen galley and bar.

Looking into her eyes, Gray smiled only slightly, never the boastful braggart, and said simply, “I’m glad you approve, Kitten. But the most important part of this flight to Washington is who is sitting next to me.”

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