Page 39 of One Good Reason

“The more we talk about this the more I want to back out.” She pouted.

“But you won’t,” I confirmed.

“Let’s just get through this weekend and we will go from there.”

“Now that is an answer I’m willing to accept.”

The truck eventually rolled to a stop and when I peered out of the window, I realized we had arrived at the private airstrip. Unfastening my seatbelt, I grabbed my weekender bag off the floor and exited. Rounding the truck, I went to the door and held it open for Talitha.

Talitha took one look at the Falcon 900 series jet and mumbled something inaudible under her breath. It was clear this woman had an issue with my wealth and for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why. I never threw my finances in anyone’s face. My father didn’t raise me that way. I also wouldn’t apologize for having worked my ass off to reach a certain socioeconomic status.

“You can head onboard and make yourself comfortable. Baker will handle the bags,” I let her know before shutting the door and walking off.

“Kennedy, what’s it looking like today?” I asked my pilot.

“Smooth ride, Dutch. We should arrive on schedule.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

Once I made sure mine and Talitha bags were loaded safely, I boarded the plane and took my seat. Talitha was busy talking with the flight attendant hired to assist us today so instead of trying to spark up a conversation, I pulled my laptop out of the bag, fastened my seatbelt, and waited for takeoff.

“Law.” Talitha tapped me on the arm.

“I’m sorry.” Pulling my headphones down I looked over at her. “Did you say something?”

Wringing her hands together, she looked down before peering back up at me sheepishly. “I wanted to apologize for earlier.”

“Exactly what are you apologizing for?” I bated.

“I have an issue surrounding men with money and if I came off too crass earlier, I apologize. Those are my personal issues and I shouldn’t have directed them at you.”

“Apology accepted.”

“We’re okay? You’re not rethinking bringing me along with you?”

“No. We all have our personal issues with something. I don’t hold onto anything. I tend to let people come around on their own time. I don’t pry or poke.”

“Thank you for that. It’s something I’ve dealt with in my past and when I think I’m over it, something happens to remind methat I’m not. Gema and I had a conversation this morning and it’s left me feeling conflicted. Still, that was no reason for me to take it out on you.”

“All is forgiven.” I winked. If I didn’t know any better, I would say she blushed. But Talitha was hard to read. Anytime we talked, I would feel like her firmness was cracking then she would say or do something that had me feeling like I was wrong.

“How much longer will we be in the air?”

Looking down at the time on my computer, I did some calculations. “Got about another two hours. Are you okay? Need anything?”

“I could use a glass of something.”

Nodding, I hit the overhead button for the flight attendant. “Yes sir, Mr. Harvey,” she asked and kneeled down in the aisle between the two seats.

“A shot of Bourbon for me and whatever for her.”

Talitha ordered a glass of wine with a snack. When the flight attendant walked away, she pulled the sweatshirt over her head. “What are you working on?”

“I was going through some quarterly reports.”

“For your company?”

“That amongst a few other things.”

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