Page 104 of Rayna's Daddy

“Is anyone flying this plane?” I giggled.

“I hope so.” He looked toward the cockpit.

“Mr. Grant.” A deep voice came out of a speaker above us. “We are cleared for takeoff. Please make sure you and your guest are seated with your seat belts fastened. I’ll update you on our flight time when we are at our cruising altitude.”

“See. Pilots up there doing his thing.” Tyler took my hand. “Relax. You’re perfectly safe.”

“Why are you being nice to me?” I took my hand back. “You don’t even like me.”

“Why would you think that?” He looked taken aback. “I don’t even know you.”

“You called me a brat.”

He blinked.

“At dinner on Friday, you told Kyler to keep his brat in check.” I pouted.

“It was a term of endearment.” He waved it off and took my hand again. “And, if I recall you called me one to my face.”

“I call’em like I see them.” I shook my head.

“Takes one to know one.” He shook his head back at me.

We stared daggers into each other’s eyes before we both exploded into giggles. I knew he was a little. Now, I just had to make him admit it.

“I have no doubt you a Kyler belong together.” Tyler took my hand.

“Too bad, Kyler doesn’t think so.” I frowned.

“Rayna, all of this happened so fast, he probably trying to organize some thing’s and allow you to get back to your own life before he makes some grand gesture.” He petted my hand like I was a puppy. “You guys were thrown together from a dangerous situation and maybe he wants you to make sure you really want to be with him. And, he is the head of a billion-dollar enterprise, so it’s not like he can run off at the drop of a hat. He has responsibilities. I promise you. The two of you will be together in no time. Now, what would you like for breakfast?”

His words offered no comfort. He was right about one thing. It might have been better if Kyler told me he had broken up with me. This unknown limbo feeling was messing with my mind. He loved me, but he let me go. We didn’t have a discussion on when we’d see each other. Would he come to me? Did I go to him? Would he even be my Daddy anymore?

The plane took off. I gripped the armrest. Tyler continued stroking my other hand. It creeped me out. Why was he being so agreeable? He had a lightness to him. It wasn’t there two days ago. He looked happy.

Great. Even the grouchy one in the group had found his joy. I thought I could at least count on him for a sulk session. I’ll have to sulk alone.

Tears dripped down my face and I didn’t bother wiping them away.

The speaker squawked again. “We have reached our cruising altitude. Our flight time to Newark will be four hours and two minutes. Let us know if there is anything we can do to make you flight more comfortable.”

That was it. I’d give myself four hours and two minutes to cry and feel every bit of my broken heart. Then I had to get over it and get on with my life.

* * *

The plane landedat a private airport in Newark. We didn’t have to go inside the terminal, two black SUVs pulled right up to the tarmac. An older gentleman with grey hair wore a black suit and fedora stood near the front car. A younger guy in jeans and a white button down with a blond pompadoured blowing in the wind stood by the second car.

As we came to a stop, I unbuckled my seatbelt, stood and stretched. Tyler was on his phone. I followed him down the steps.

“Hi Jasper.” Tyler greeted the older guy. “Robbie.” He hugged him. They seemed like friends. “Thanks for coming.”

“Please, you threaten me with life and limb.” Robbie giggled.

“Ms. Smith.” Jasper tipped his hat in my direction. “My name’s Jasper. I am at your service.”

“Rayna.” I nodded.

“Nice to meet you, Rayna.” He nodded back. “I’ll get your bags and we’ll be on our way.”

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