Page 171 of Unexpected Redemption

She may have trashed Tomer relentlessly after the breakup, but that’s because she loves me. Friends defend one another. He hurt me, and she was standing up for me. And I’m lucky to have someone who would go to bat for me without blinking.

As I glance around the plane, I realize I have more than just Stella in that category. My chest expands, and my heart pounds steadily with love surrounding it.

Tomer leans close, whispering, “What was the song? You said you’d play it for me once we got on the plane.”

His question prompts a hilarious memory to smack me into hysterics. “I’ll find it. Give me a sec.”

Jonesy drove Stella to Redleg this morning because everyone going to Climax gathered there. When she first saw Klein, she had anincident.

And by incident, I mean her deviant thoughts escaped her mouth in spectacularly inappropriate Stella style.

Scrolling through my music library, I search for the Jason Derulo song Stella quoted in reference to Klein’s impressive tush. Everyone in the office cracked up in hysterics, but my poor love didn’t get the joke. Before I had a chance to pull up the song, Boss Dad rounded up the troops, and we were whisked off to the airport.

Still chuckling at the memory of what Stella said—out loud with her actual voice like a crazy person—I skip to that part of the song. Once I find it, I press pause and pass an earbud to Tomer.

He places it in his ear, and then I play the ending of “Wiggle” when Snoop Dogg says the line, “Damn, baby. You got a bright future behind you.”

With bulging eyes, she whistled at Klein and dropped that line. After that, she convinced the poor man to let her take a selfie with his butt.

Fairly certain Mia added Stella’s name to the list of people she’s gonna digitally destroy. Perhaps Stella will learn her lesson and stop sexualizing everyone she meets.

Doubtful.

Related, she didn’tpasson a single person she saw at Redleg. She walked through the halls muttering,smash, smash, smash, smash. Sawyer asked if she was impersonating The Hulk when she saiddouble smashabout him.

Double-related squirrel thought, I suspect she’s gonna show the selfie to Jackie Diaz back in Climax. Likely already sent it to her. Let’s just say Jackie has an affinity for a cake ass on a guy.

After the song’s done playing, Tomer laughs subtly and returns my earbud.

“Was it worth the wait?” I ask, my teeth gleaming in a wide grin.

“No,” he answers flatly. “However, I’ll eagerly wait for anything where you’re concerned.”

“Smooth talker,” I tease, rolling my eyes.

He shrugs, arching one brow, and pointedly attempts to peek down my blouse. “If I were a smooth talker, I’d convince you to visit the restroom with me so we can join the Mile High Club.”

My libido soars into the sky.

“I’m n-n-not necessarily opposed t-t-to that,” I stutter, feigning being flummoxed.

He glances toward the rear of the plane. “Meet you back there in one minute.”

Then he unbuckles his seatbelt and marches off.

I assumed he was kidding. I can’t possibly go bang him in the back of a private plane with my father and several of our coworkers here.

Right?

Oh, screw it.

Exhibitionist kink activated. The chance of getting caught alone will have me coming in no time.

Excitement skitters over my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake as I count down the seconds.

Regretfully, since I have ADHD, I’m incapable of counting past ten.

Allow me to amend my statement. Icancount higher than ten. But when I do, my squirrel straps on its little parachute and jumps out of my mental plane. Counting is boring. I already know how it’s gonna end. There’s no dopamine.