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She rolled her eyes. “Are you still playing hard to get?”
“I’m not playing anything. I meant what I said last night.”
“Fine. Whatever.” She put her hands up and reclined in the lounge chair.
She was not getting the hint. This was why I was leaving today.
I finished my breakfast in silence and saw my server approach with a bucket of champagne.
“Mr. Jacobs. I was just informed it’s your last day here. We wanted to thank you for staying with us with a complimentary bottle of champagne,” he said.
“Oh, that’s not necessary.”
“Champagne?” said Kiera, sitting up and smiling at the server.
I sighed frustratedly as the server set the bucket between us and began working at the cork. There was a pop and a fizz, and he began pouring two glasses. Kiera clapped excitedly.
I wanted nothing more than to get out of there, but I didn’t want to be rude to the server. After he handed us our glasses, I thanked him and took a sip as I watched him leave.
“Well, this is romantic,” said Kiera, stretching back into the lounge chair.
Her bikini was desperately clinging on to her, threatening to expose the intimate parts of her I had seen the night before.
“This isn’t anything,” I said, standing up. I set my glass in the sand and put my sunglasses on. I began padding down the beach toward the steps, with Kiera calling after me. Thankfully, the waves drowned her out.
I called for a shuttle to take me to the airport. I didn’t care if I was entirely too early for my flight. It was better than being here and having another run-in with Kiera.Damn you, Brody.
The airport was busy with flights coming in and going out. It was probably good that I was early so I could get through check-in and security. Once I was through, I found a bar and ordered a whiskey on the rocks. And then another. What else was there to do at airports?
A few hours passed, and the announcement was made that my flight was boarding soon. I grabbed my luggage and rolled it down to my gate. Being first class, I was able to board first and settle into my seat, but I couldn’t get comfortable. Not before takeoff and not for the actual flight.
The flight home was brutal. Nothing like the first. I couldn’t get settled in my seat, even though it was my own private compartment with a full-on bed. The Bloody Marys weren’t strong enough. The movies didn’t hold my attention. Sleep didn’t come. It was a hellish eighteen hours back to New York.
I kept tossing and turning in my seat thinking about how my getaway had gotten cut short with Kiera showing up the way she did. I could have stayed, but knowing her, she would be back. That was clear at breakfast this morning. I didn’t want to feel like I was on edge the whole time or that my resolve would eventually break and I would succumb to her.Would it really be the worst thing?I thought to myself.
Falling back into our usual pattern of fucking and fighting and playing games. It’s what I knew with Kiera. It’s what we were both comfortable with. It certainly would be a distraction from Heart.
But eventually I had to let that go. Heart. Kiera.
I clearly wasn’t the same person I was a few months ago before Heart came into my life, or I would be in bed with Kiera right now. Her hot pink bikini on the floor and her long limbs tangled around me. But that wasn’t me. Not anymore.
Which was why I was on this plane back to New York to try and piece my life together, and not run from it anymore. I was grateful for the days I had in Bora Bora because they brought some clarity, and much needed relaxation. My brother had the right idea in suggesting it, but then he ruined it all by sending a human package to my door.
When my flight landed, I went through customs and waited for my luggage at baggage claim. Armand was outside on the curb waiting when I emerged out of the sliding doors.
“Mr. Jacobs.” He nodded before taking my bags.
“Armand.”
“How was your trip?” he asked.
“Fantastic,” I said. “I will definitely be back.”
“Good, sir. I’m happy to hear that.”
He opened the back door and I slid inside.
“Home?” he asked.