Starry-Eyed Love (Spark House)

“Aylin?” What is this hot feeling creeping up my spine?

“My personal shopper. Since our meeting is this evening, I suggested Harley pack you casual wear for the trip home. Is there a store that you’d prefer I send Aylin to?”

“You don’t need to send her anywhere if Harley packed me a bag.”

“Well, you seem concerned about her packing skills. I want to make sure you have what you need, so I don’t think it hurts to be extra prepared.”

“I don’t see the point in sending Aylin shopping just to be extra prepared,” I grumble.

“Would you like to check your bag to make sure you have what you need for the evening?”

“Sure. Yes. I can do that.”

We pull into the parking lot of a private airport. I already knew Jackson had his own plane, but I never actually believed I’d fly in it.

As if he can hear my thoughts, he says, “I fly commercial as often as possible, but I’m aware that we’re on a tight schedule and I didn’t want to tie you up for unnecessary hours at the airport, so we’re taking my private jet instead.”

“That was considerate of you,” I murmur as the car stops close to a small Gulfstream. I stumbled on an article in my Jackson Holt research that focused on the fact that he had a private jet built for him that is currently the most green plane in the US.

The passenger side door opens, and Jackson motions for me to go first. I give him the side-eye, aware all of this is intentional, but I can’t call him on it right now. I unfasten my seat belt, gather my purse, and take the offered hand of Clint as I step out into the warm summer day. I breathe in the scent of hot tarmac and jet fuel.

Jackson exits the car, and Clint pops the trunk, revealing two small suitcases, one being my own. Jackson steps back and turns his attention away from the SUV while I unzip my suitcase and check the contents. I also now know where my favorite pajama set went. I was looking for it last night. I’m grateful that Harley did a fantastic job packing for this trip, and I have pretty much everything I could possibly need. I zip my case back up, and Clint steps forward to take it from me, and Jackson motions for me to go ahead of him onto the plane.

I have no less than a million questions about what exactly is happening. Where in the world are we staying tonight? A hotel? His place in New York? Spending the night in the same vicinity will be a test of my personal restraint. He’s temptation wrapped in candy bacon and tied with shoestring grape licorice. Which sounds disgusting together, but individually they’re delicious.

Once we’re in the air, our flight attendant brings us glasses of sparkling water and a small cheese and fruit plate. There isn’t much in the way of privacy in here. I’m torn between being impressed and annoyed.

I cross my arms. “I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me this meeting was in New York ahead of time!”

He sets his water down, giving me his full attention. “Let me ask you a question, London.”

I pop a grape in my mouth and motion for him to go ahead.

“If I’d told you the meeting was in New York, would you have been as likely to agree to it?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“A realistic one. Your schedule is always full. You always have a thousand things going on, and you’re constantly juggling a million projects. I called your sister to make sure I wasn’t taking you away when you were needed at Spark House. I even suggested that I tell you, but she thought it would be better if it were a surprise. And I have to say, I think she was right. If I had told you this was an overnight trip, you would have said you couldn’t go.”

It’s hard to argue with him on that. I definitely would not have agreed to flying to New York, not with how tense things have been with Avery, or how busy we are at Spark House. “I can’t believe Harley was able to keep a lid on this. She’s terrible with secrets.”

“I called yesterday when the person I want you to meet had to cancel their plans to come out here. I wanted to make sure it would all work out okay. I realize it was slightly devious on my part. However, the potential benefit of this meeting definitely overshadows your dislike of surprises. The point of all of this is that I think this introduction will be a really great opportunity for you, and I didn’t want you to miss out on it. I’ve seen you talk about Spark House and know if anyone could sell someone on it, you can. You mentioned wanting to expand without working yourself to the bone and forgetting that you have a life outside of work. This is how we make more time for the things we want, rather than getting bogged down in the minutiae.”