Page 26 of Red's Revenge

“Darlin’, this is Texas. Fried meat is always on the table.” I roll my eyes.

“Fine, I’ll shower quickly.” I’m stepping into the bathroom when he mentions the time, and my heart drops.

“Cowboys eat breakfast rather early, so if you want to get a good steak and eggs, we need to leave soon. I don’t remember the last time I slept past dawn. So six is really late for me.” I spin in horror.

I have less than an hour to get to the airport.

“FUCK! I’m going to miss my flight!”

Forty-five minutes later,Red drops me off at the airport as big fat snowflakes fall around us. He helps me out of his truck and hands me my suitcase without saying one single smart ass thing.

It feels like a final goodbye between close friends or lovers, and I can’t fathom why because I hate this man with a passion.

Keep telling yourself that until you believe it, Camila.

“Um,” I don’t know what to say.

“Cam V. Greystone, you have forever changed my life.” He leans in, and I freeze.

The moment when I think our lips will meet for the first time, I close my eyes tight, but the feeling never comes. Instead, I feel a soft brush against my cheek, and then the moment is over.

“Have a safe flight.” He seems to want to say more but turns abruptly as if he needs to leave now or he’ll do something he shouldn’t.

And my chest hurts as I watch his truck pull away, wishing he had.

“Ma’am, would you like to check your bag at the curb?” I shake my head and smile at the young man.

“No, I’m running late, and I might not even make it, but thanks!” He laughs and looks up at the sky.

“Afraid every flight is delayed at the moment. You’ll be fine.” Of course, the flights were late.

I hand over my bag and take my ticket.

The airport is basically empty, and I could curse for not checking the flight info and rushing here for no reason.

Ya, you could have been nice and warm in bed with a hot cowboy.

I find some coffee after security and walk slowly to my gate as I drink it. When the screen next to the breezeway flashes delayed, I groan. Four hours?

Well, I guess I can get some work done while I wait.

Two hours in, I call Ryan to update him, but he rejects the video call. Frowning as my phone rings for a regular call, I answer and slowly bring it up to my ear.

“Hello,” I say hesitantly.

The whole thing feels off as I hear Ryan’s assistant answer me, not him.

“Ms. Greystone, I’m so sorry. Ryan asked me to relay a message as he’s in a meeting at the moment. He’d like to know if your flight is on time.” Jasmine’s professional voice has always seemed so fake to me.

She’s always been nice to me, and Ryan swears she’s indispensable, but I just don’t trust her. I shake off the weird feeling and sigh as I answer her.

“No, unfortunately, my flight is delayed because of the weather. Can you please tell him I’ll be late for dinner?” The man sitting next to me, who’s been asleep since I arrived, coughs loudly, and I miss what Jasmine says.

When I hear the phone disconnect, my hackles rise.

I sit quietly, working until the airport announces that all outgoing flights have been canceled. It’s like the entire building shakes with the grumblings of the people inside. I pick up my phone to text Ryan I won’t be home at all and notice a missed call from him.

Huh, the weather must be messing with the signal.

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