The Stopover (The Miles High Club 1)

He stares at me, lost. “But you committed to Claudia no problem.”

I raise my eyebrows as I sip my scotch.

“What does that mean?”

“I didn’t care if Claudia was waiting at home for me. I didn’t care how much time I spent away from her. I could travel, work, focus . . . I was content to put her fourth or fifth in line, and she never expected anything different.” I exhale heavily. I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. “Claudia was easy.”

“Because you didn’t really love her?”

I shrug, unable to put a label on my feelings.

He puts his hand on my shoulder. “You’re more than a CEO, Jameson. You deserve to be happy too. Why do you think it has to be one or the other?”

I frown, pained.

“Don’t let the love of your life walk away because you’re scared that you’re going to lose her.”

“It’s inevitable, Tristan . . . eventually, she will leave. Her hand will be forced.”

“And then what will you be?” he snaps. “A lonely, stressed-out, alcoholic CEO?”

My eyes rise to meet his.

“Oh, wait.” He gestures to my drink. “That’s already happening.” He shakes his head in disgust. “When I find my woman, I’ll move heaven and hell to keep her.”

“Get out.” I sigh. “You have no idea what you’re fucking talking about.”

“Actually, I’m kind of glad I’m getting to watch you fuck up your life,” he calls as he walks toward the door. “Now I know what not to do.”

I sip my scotch as the door slams hard behind him.

My buzzer on my desk sounds, and I push the button. “Yes, Sammia.”

“The detectives are here to see yo

u, sir.”

I drain my glass . . . good, a distraction. “Thank you, send them in.”

Emily

“A toast.” Molly smiles as she holds her glass up.

Aaron and I hold our glasses up to touch hers.

“To new beginnings.”

“To new beginnings,” we all repeat.

“You’re going to be great.” Aaron smiles. “You watch—you’ll be taking over the news floor within no time.”

We’re out to dinner in a bar and celebrating. I start my new job tomorrow. It’s been a week since I left Miles Media.

Feels like a lifetime ago.

I was going to go home and see my parents, but I just didn’t have the mental energy. I stayed home for some self-love instead. I needed time alone to lick my wounds and heal. I had a few massages, got some Reiki done to calm my heartache, ate healthy, and went for two runs a day to exhaust myself so that my body had no choice but to sleep at night.

I’m okay . . . empty, but doing okay.