Page 67 of Can't Get Enough

I’m not sure what has emboldened me. Was it hearing her tears again over her mother? Is that what bonded us even further and cemented my determination to see where this could go, damn the consequences?

She releases a heavy sigh. “I’ve already told you I’ll be there. Whether it’s a good idea or not remains to be seen.”

“Trust me. It’ll be fine.”

I don’t actually know that whatever happens between us will be “fine,” but I know damn well it will be worth it.

CHAPTER 20

HENDRIX

Now this is how you travel.”

Nelly follows the statement with a low whistle to further convey how impressed she is by the private plane Maverick sent for us.

“I’ve never actually been on one of these,” Kashawn says. “Flying first class, of course, but this?”

She does a slow spin, taking in the cabin’s handcrafted leather seats, the gold-trimmed walls, the plush carpet beneath our feet. The lounge is outfitted with a mammoth flat-screen television and a gourmet kitchen any chef would be proud of. I presume the closed door leads to a bedroom, but there’s no way I’m finding out. I flop into one of the rear seats, leaving the front section to my partners.

“This flight is three hours,” I say, pulling out my iPad. “And I need every one of them to prepare for this presentation. I’ve wanted to get a huge cosmetic deal for Chapel, and now that one is potentially on the table, I need to be ready when we get in front of them.”

“Look at you.” Nelly rests her hands on her hips, big sister pride in her eyes. “Bossing up and shit.”

“They saw her at the game,” I say semi-smugly. “Floor seats and face beat. She played the part, blowing kisses and flirting with the camera. Phone started ringing the next day.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Kashawn says, “but isn’t that the night Maverick Bell invited you to his box and offered this trip to us?”

My smile petrifies and I drop my eyes to the iPad in front of me. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Girl, you know so.” Nelly snaps her fingers to get my attention.

“Don’t snap at me.” I look up at her, putting on a stern face, but fighting back a smile.

“Then don’t ignore me,” Nelly parries. “We’re grateful for this trip, but is there something else going on here? Like between you and—”

“Ladies,” Maverick says from the door that I assumed led to the bedroom. “So glad to have you on board. Hope you don’t mind if I bum a ride.”

My mouth drops open for a second, but I snap it closed, hopefully before he notices how thrown I am that he’s on the plane. What did he hear?

“Is it appropriate to say ‘welcome aboard’ when it’s your plane?” Kashawn jokes, bouncing a glance between Maverick and me.

“I was in Miami and hitched a ride.” Maverick walks up the aisle until he comes to my seat. “Hendrix, hi.”

“Hi.” I offer him a tight-lipped smile. “Thanks for this opportunity and for the… um, plane.”

“No problem.” He leans forward and whispers conspiratorially. “It’s not mine. I just use it when I travel.”

“Is that supposed to be your version of frugal?” I laugh. “‘I don’t own the forty-million-dollar plane. I just charter it a few times a month.’”

“We all make sacrifices,” he returns, grinning and apparently unbothered by my jab.

“Speaking of sacrifices,” Kashawn says. “I need to make some right now and work through these briefs before we land in Colorado.”

“Of course.” Maverick gestures expansively around the luxuriously appointed cabin. “Let me or one of the attendants know if you need or want anything.”

“All I want,” Nelly says, pulling out a purple-and-gold sleep mask emblazoned withFUCK OFF, “is a little nap before we land or I won’tbe any good. Baby was up all night, and I knew Beth would have her solo today so I held it down.”

“Awww,” I commiserate. “That’s a good mommy. Rest while you can.”

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