Page 17 of Choose Me

I savored the last morsel of my paco and leaned back in my stool, feeling content and satisfied. “This was amazing, Everett. Thank you.”

“Anything for you, baby girl.” He smiled, a devilish glint in his eye as he reached for my plate and gently placed it in the sink.

My phone chimed, and I pulled it out, hoping it was James, and it was.

James

Hey baby, my flight is about to take off. I should be in Miami around 3:00 p.m. I will let you know when I land. I love you.

Ava

Okay, I hope you have a safe flight. I love you most.

I typed a response to him and yawned. With a deep sigh, I pushed myself off the counter, feeling like I had just finished running a marathon. “I am going to go lay down for a while,” I told Everett as I fought to keep my eyes open.

“If you need anything, let me know.” He smiled back as he ate his paco.

I shuffled to the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, my phone clasped tight to my chest. My hands fell heavily on my stomach as my exhaustion pulled me under and sent me tumbling down into a restless sleep.

10

TEN

JAMES

The flight to Miami was long and hot, and the blonde flight attendant in business class kept flirting with me. Before Ava, I probably would have been flattered by the attention, but after Ava, I was filled with annoyance. She returned to my seat to check on me more than she did with any other passengers. Her blue eyes sparkled mischievously, and her too-plump lips curved up into a suggestive smile. She pushed her fake tits together in a desperate attempt to draw my attention, leaning in close as she handed me a glass of champagne, her cheap perfume invading my senses.

"First time flying to Miami?" she asked, her voice low and sultry.

I clenched my jaw, swiveling away from the dizzying strength of her perfume that burned my nostrils and caused my head to pound.

"Yep," I said defiantly.

"Oh really? Well, you're in for a treat," she purred, running her fingers through her overly bleached hair. "I know all the best spots to hit up. Maybe I could show you around?"

I sighed, already regretting flying business class instead of opting for a chartered private jet. I missed Ava, and this flight attendant couldn't hold a candle to her.

"No thanks, I don't need a tour guide," I said curtly, hoping that would be the end of the conversation.

She didn't seem deterred, though. Instead, she kept talking, oblivious to my apparent disinterest. "Are you sure? I could show you all the best beaches, restaurants, clubs... and I have a room at the Hilton with a private suite and room service."

"I said no," I snapped, wishing she would just leave me the fuck alone.

She recoiled in shock, her eyes bulging in disbelief as if my refusal was an affront to her entire existence. Her lips were pursed tight enough to burst as she sneered at me viciously, spitting through her clenched teeth, "Fine. Suit yourself," she said before spinning around and storming off with reverberating steps that made the passengers jolt and shoot curious glances my way.

I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes and trying to block out the hushed conversations of the passengers and the obnoxiously high-pitched tone of the blonde flight attendant as she flitted around the cabin, no doubt flirting with all the male patrons. It wasn't long before I dozed off, the engine’s hum lulling me to sleep.

When I woke up, the plane had started to descend, and the flight attendant was making her rounds again. She shot me a disparaging look and skipped past my seat, which I was admittedly glad for. When the plane finally landed, I grabbed my carry-on bag and quickly rushed off the plane, eager to get settled into my hotel and call Ava. This whole situation didn't sit right with me, and I could see the anguish in her eyes when I left. She kept a brave face on for me.

Everything she did, she did for others.

I knew that if she broke down, I would have stayed.

Ava knew that, too. We both understood how severe the consequences would be if I stayed. If I thought for one second that Everett wasn't capable of keeping her safe in my absence, I would have told my boss to fuck right off.

He was the only one I trusted with her safety, and he had proven in Oregon that he would protect her even if it meant his own life was forfeit, and I really couldn't ask for a better best friend.

Even if I hated every fucking second apart from her, I would stay focused on closing this case and getting back home to her and my baby.

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