The Stopover (The Miles High Club 1)

“Goodbye,” Emily says. “Nice to meet you.”

Claudia’s eyes fill with tears anew as the door quietly clicks closed. “Does she even know who I am?” she whispers.

“Yes.”

“And she found me in your arms and is happy to leave you here with me?” she mutters sarcastically.

My eyes hold hers, annoyed that she thinks Emily has reason to be insecure. “She knows where my heart lies.”

Claudia’s eyes fill with tears, and I internally kick myself for being an ass. “I’m coming home to New York, Jameson. We can get back together.”

“No, we can’t.”

Her eyes search mine.

“I’m marrying her, Claud.”

“Don’t say that,” she whispers. “She’s just easy for you because she’s no challenge.”

“You’re wrong; she’s the love of my life.”

She clenches her jaw in anger. “You bastard.”

“I’m sorry.” I step back from her. “But there’s no other way to put it.”

Her anger erupts. “So . . . what happens when I see you out?” she snaps.

“You say hello.”

“Do you think you can replace me so easily?” she stammers.

I stare at her, sad that she’s hurting.

“I love you, Jameson. Come back to me,” she pleads as she takes my hand in hers.

“You need to go, Claud.”

“You’re kicking me out?” she shrieks.

“No. I’m asking you to leave.”

“That’s the same thing.”

I exhale heavily; this isn’t going to end well. I need to end it before an all-out war begins. I kiss her on the forehead and walk to the door and open it. “Goodbye, Claudia.”

She angrily swipes the tears from her eyes and storms past me. I close the door and stare at the carpet for a moment as I feel the tectonic plates move another notch closer to goal. I go back to my desk and dial Emily’s number.

“Hi,” she answers.

“Hi.”

“I came up to see if you wanted to go out to lunch today.”

I smile softly. I love this woman—not an inch of insecurity.

“I do. Meet you in the foyer at one.”

Emily