Billionaire's Single Mom

About thirty seconds later, I spotted flickering lights in the windows. We’d dropped below the clouds, but the heavy rainfall was still making it hard to see.

“Almost there,” I repeated.

I could spot the bright white lights on the edge of the runway now. I smiled at Emily. “Too bad we weren’t asleep for this part.”

She offered a pained chuckle. “Yeah, too bad.”

The plane lowered and then bounced as the landing gears made contact with the runway. A few seconds later, it hit the ground again. The deceleration kicked in, pushing us against our seats.

We both let out a long breath. I hadn’t even realized I was holding mine.

“Welcome back to Nashville,” my pilot announced over the intercom.

* * *

The rain splattered against the limo, its constant patter soothing in a strange way.

I didn’t envy my chauffeur as he navigated through the pouring rain on the way to Lionel’s house. Emily had already called ahead to tell her ex to get Juniper ready, and from what she told me, it wouldn’t be a big issue, as he tended to be eager to unload his daughter after she spent more than a few days with him.

Emily stared through the window. At what, I wasn’t sure. There was nothing really to see but rain and the occasional car.

“You excited?” I said.

She glanced over at me. “Excited?”

“About seeing your daughter again.”

A soft smile appeared on her face. “Yes. I did miss her. She would have loved Japan.”

“I imagine she would have.” I thought about saying something about bringing her next time but decided against it.

Emily frowned slightly and then looked back out the window. I was curious why she frowned. She’d been so quiet since landing, it was maddening. But we also had a very long flight, and neither of us got as much sleep as we would have liked. It can be hard when you’re traveling internationally to get your body back on track.

After a few minutes, Emily broke her silence. “I meant what I said.”

“Huh?” I looked over at her, trying to read her face, but her expression was distant and neutral.

“About Tokyo just being about good memories and things staying there.” She shrugged. “Maybe I should have said something on the plane, but I wanted to make that clear now.”

I nodded. “I understand.”

“I still want to be friends with you, but I just wanted a break.” She sighed.

I waved a hand. “Don’t overthink it. We’re both adults. Just think of it as a ‘friends with temporary benefits’ thing.”

Emily burst out laughing. The smile on her face warmed my heart.

“Friends with temporary benefits?” she said.

“Yes. That’s the best way I can think to describe things.”

“Okay, then,” she said, still smiling. The limo pulled up to her house. “Don’t make him get wet.” She pointed toward the chauffeur through the divider. “Please.”

I pressed the intercom button. “Just pop the trunk. You don’t need to get out.”

“Are you sure, sir?” he replied.

“Yes.”