The thought of traveling with him, being close to him, made me feel ill. I wouldn’t be able to escape. It was obvious the thought didn’t bother him, because the bottom line was that I had never meant anything to him. My feelings had been one-sided. I kept my eyes downcast as I struggled to get through all the emotions I was feeling.
“I know you feel nothing but contempt for me. I promise to make this as easy as possible. I tried to get separate flights, but there was little choice. I did manage separate seating locations on the airplane. You can pretend I’m not even there. We’ll share a cab to the hotel, and that is it. Once we meet with Helen, your work will be done.” He paused. “I am asking you to please do this. Not for me, for the firm. For the case.”
“What time is the flight on Sunday?”
“One. With the time difference, we arrive midafternoon. There is a late flight out of Vegas Monday night you can be on. You can have the rest of the week off, so you won’t have to see me again until the new year.”
His words, offered in a conciliatory tone and meant to be positive, somehow added to the heartbreak.
But I stood with my shoulders back and my head held high. “Fine. Email me the details, Jaxson.”
“Thank you, Grace. You have proven yourself indispensable.”
I couldn’t help the sharp bark of laughter at his words.
“In this instance anyway,” I replied and walked out of his office, not looking at him again. I gathered my coat and laptop, shoving it into my messenger bag and heading out the door.
“Good luck,” Michael called, obviously privy to what was happening next week.
I rolled my eyes as I headed down the steps.
I was going to need it.
I woke up early Sunday to a winter wonderland. Snow blanketed the streets, the wind swirling it around the air. I had spent Saturday doing all sorts of errands. Heather dropped over, bringing a small case I could borrow that would fit overhead on the plane. We visited as I did laundry. She shook her head in worry.
“Going away right before the wedding? I don’t like it.”
I laughed as I packed a few essentials into the small overnight bag. “It’s one night, Heather. You’re more upset than Addi, and she’s the bride.”
“That’s because Addi is like you—always calm. What if you get stuck in Vegas with the storm?”
I laid a hand on my hip, shaking my head. “It’s Vegas, Heather. They don’t get snow. And the storm is in Canada. I have a direct flight there and back, so it won’t affect me at all. I’ll be home early Tuesday morning, and now I have the rest of the week off. I can head to Port Albany and spend some extra time with Mom and Dad.”
“When I told you to come at it from a different angle, I had no idea it meant you had to fly somewhere. I know you hate flying.”
I did hate flying. I had a window seat, so that helped, although the enclosed space made me nervous.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Your boss will be with you?”
“He’ll be there, yes.”
“Maybe he can hold your hand.”
The skirt I was folding slipped from my grasp, and I bent to pick it up, hiding my face. I drew in a calming breath before speaking.
“He isn’t the type to hold anyone’s hand, and I would never ask him. We aren’t sitting together anyway.”
She snorted. “Typical. You solve the problem and you get coach, while the big shot rides in first class? You should demand an upgrade.”
I didn’t answer, and she mumbled something about assholes as I tucked a toiletry bag in and zipped the small case closed.
“Maybe a Prince Charming will sit next to you, and you can hold his hand?” she asked, lifting one eyebrow and looking mischievous.
I had to laugh, grateful she hadn’t pushed the subject of Jaxson. “Maybe.”
The buzzer went, and she leaped to her feet. “Pizza!”
I was glad it had arrived. If there was food, her mouth would be full, and she wouldn’t ask any more questions. With a low sigh, I followed her to the kitchen.
My company phone rang, bringing me out of my musings. I was surprised to see Jaxson’s name on the screen, and I answered with a quiet hello.
“Grace, sorry to bother you on your personal time. Given the storm, we need to be at the airport early. The car will pick you up at nine.”
He was so formal. I knew the company monitored calls and texts, so I matched his tone.
“I planned to take a cab.”
“With the snow, it’ll be hard to get one.”
“Is there a chance the plane will be delayed or canceled?”
“Doubtful. There is enough snow to make things difficult, not shut the airport down.”