Entice Me (Austin Singles 2)

“Okay, one more deep breath in the nose, out the mouth.”

“I’m okay. I . . . I’m fine.” I hiccupped and the taxi driver looked at me again.

Blowing out a deep breath, I sat up straight and got my shit together. A few more deep breaths and I was able to calm myself down. “I’m getting on the first flight out of Austin.”

“Let me see what is the next flight leaving, and I’ll book you a ticket. I’ll text you what airline.”

I wiped my tear-soaked face. “Th-thanks, Millie.”

“We can talk about all this once you get here.”

“’Kay.”

Hitting end, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back.

“Miss, you weren’t, what I mean is, um, are you okay?”

Not having the energy to move, I lifted my hand and gave the driver a thumbs up. “Yes, thank you. No one hurt me, at least not physically.”

The taxi driver remained silent. My phone rang and I glanced down at it, knowing Millie couldn’t have bought a ticket that soon.

Nash.

Dropping the phone to my lap, I covered my mouth with both hands and watched it ring. A few minutes later, it dinged to notify me of a voicemail.

“Are you going to listen to what he said?” the taxi driver asked as I popped my head up and stared at him in disbelief.

“What? No! No, I am not going to listen to it.”

The man tsked and shook his head. “In my experience, I think you should listen to it before you get on the plane.”

I laughed. “Well, with all due respect, I’m not interested in your experience with these things.”

He lifted a hand as if surrendering.

“Okay, but I know you will regret this.”

Focusing on the scenery outside the window, I wiped a tear away.

“I won’t regret it,” I whispered. Knowing deep down in my heart I already did.

The moment I saw my sister, I dashed to her. Holding open her arms, I nearly knocked her over when I slammed my body against hers and started crying . . . again.

Millie held on to me, whispering that everything was going to be okay.

“Come on, let’s get you home.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to face Mom and Dad just yet.”

“They’re not home; they went to New York for some big function Daddy had going on.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, I hooked my arm with my sister’s.

“Did you check your luggage?” she asked, giving me a once-over in the dress I had worn to Terri and Jim’s wedding yesterday.

“No, I went straight to the airport. I don’t have anything.”

Her brows furrowed. “Okay, let’s just get home and then we’ll talk.”