Page 89 of Mail Order Valentine (Hawthorne Billionaire 2)

“He really surprised me with that. That’s going down as one of my best days ever,” I said, smiling at Asher when he switched out of flying with the co-pilot. “He out-did himself.”

“I was telling Asher about my plans for Valentine’s with my girlfriend when he told me that story. How am I supposed to do better?” the pilot scoffed.

“You don’t have to do better. Just do what is better for her,” I offered my advice. “What does she like?”

“She likes me,” he said super-cocky.

“Okay, cool guy. Other than you, what else does she like, or enjoy doing?” I asked again. “Does she like to go dancing or to a play? It has to be different than the ordinary everyday stuff.”

“She does like dancing, and I always don’t want to go,” the pilot answered over his shoulder. “Any other ideas that I won’t hate?”

“Hey, I have a request for giving this advice. I want to sit in the seat and feel what it’s like to fly,” I said, tapping the co-pilot on the shoulder. “Do you mind?”

“Come on up. I’ll even let you have the whole thing for a minute,” he said. “My girl is always wanting to do this too.”

“There you go, that’s your gift to her,” I said, excited. “Take her somewhere in the plane and let her do just what I’m doing.”

“You’re a genius. She will absolutely love it,” he said, smiling ear to ear. “Unless you’re using the plane to go somewhere, Mr. Hawthorne?”

“I like the idea too. You give me so much of your time. I think it’s a great idea. I don’t need the plane tomorrow, so it’s all yours,” Asher said, smiling at me when I looked back at him.

“You have a few minutes to talk?” I asked Asher. “I’m done solving all the issues in here.”

The pilot and co-pilot had a good laugh over that parting shot as I left the cockpit. I stopped in the kitchen to grab two salads from the refrigerator and settled in on the couch waiting for Asher.

“Hey, you look comfortable and hungry,” he said pointing to the two salads on my lap. “I think I better sit way over here to stay away from your food stash.”

“Come sit over here with me. I grabbed one of these for you too.” I patted the cushion next to me on the couch.

“I feel like I’m being set up for something,” Asher said, sitting sideways on the couch to face me. “What is it I can do for you?”

“Do for me? Are you kidding, I never want another thing after the best Valentine’s gift ever,” I said, opening both salads and handing him one. “I was hoping to talk about what’s next.”

“We have to finish flying back to Paris, then have Gunner take us to the hotel,” Asher said, cracking a smile when I made a face at him. “Fine, next? I have a few more days of meetings in Paris, then we fly to New York.”

“Is New York where we’re going to live?” I asked. “I don’t even know if that’s your home. I need to know everything, please.”

“You look so nervous, Imogen. I’m sorry I haven’t taken the time to let you know what your life, our life, will be like,” he said, sliding across the couch to hug me. “How about we do the speed date again to find out more about each other first?”

“Okay, how many questions? What genre of questions?” I asked, sitting my salad on the table. “I think geography or history.”

“I think anything goes,” he said, getting his watch ready. “Are you good with anything?”

“Sure, I’m first. Ready?” I asked. “Wait, we didn’t decide on how many questions.”

“Five questions. And…go.” He pointed to me and started the timer.

“Favorite city?”

“I don’t have a favorite, but I like Aspen a lot. Favorite Car?”

“Sixty-seven Camaro, white with red interior. Any stitches?”

“Time out,” he said. “Your favorite car is a classic?”

“You’re ruining the date. We can talk about it after,” I ordered. “Answer my question or forfeit your turn.”’

“That’s not in the rules, but I’ll answer anyways. I’ve had stitches in my foot and on my back. Any broken bones?”

---