Page 69 of Anyone But You

“I will always have a career because wealthy people like you can’t even breathe wrong without the world coming down on your shoulders. My career is guaranteed; yours is not.”

My head snapped towards Victoria, and I asked, “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

“Did she lie?”

“You’re not the ride or die I thought you were,” I responded playfully.

“You’re right. I’m better than you ever imagined. Now, sit there and listen to the woman like you have some sense.”

I sighed and dragged my hand over my face before giving Amelia my undivided attention.

“I apologize for being untoward and undermining you. I think the snake venom has my brain a little scrambled. I appreciate your diligence and look forward to what you have planned to salvage my reputation.”

Amelia beamed.

“Apology accepted. We need to discuss your next steps. We have less than an hour before we reach UCLA Medical Center.”

I held up a hand to pause.

“Wait. Why are we going to UCLA?”

Doug cleared his throat and took over.

“The board wants a full workup before you set foot in the building again.”

“I have been medically cleared,” I protested. I was tired of being poked by needles and evaluated like a lab rat. I wanted to go home. I wanted my bed. I wanted to see Victoria hydrated and moisturized while relaxing on the verandah with a coconut water.

“No offense, but you have not been medically cleared by doctors at one of the top-ranking hospitals in the U.S. The hospital’s reputation would reassure shareholders and the media that your return is being handled with the utmost professionalism. You’ll be assigned an executive liaison to manage every detail from scheduling to post-evaluation follow-ups. You’ll undergo comprehensive testing: cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, and trauma-related assessments. There is no way around this, Knox, so don’t even fight me onthis. The board needs to know you are of sound mind and judgment when you return.”

“I’ll say what Mr. Reynolds here is too afraid to tell you,” Amelia chimed in as she tapped away at her phone screen. “The board is questioning your judgment because of Ms. Caldwell.”

“I can personally attest that his judgment was skewed way before I entered the picture,” Victoria drawled.

Amelia nodded.

“I believe you, but nothing screams midlife crisis like marrying a woman half your age and leaving her with generational wealth.”

“And nothing screams insane like enticing your executive assistant with $100,000 to go on a vacation with you after calling her airline claiming to be her husband and canceling her flight,” Doug added. “Thank God you used your personal funds to fund this little venture instead of company funds. We’d really have a mess on our hands then.”

I sighed and grasped Victoria’s hand—searching for that steady strength she always provides.

“What next?”

“We release a prepared statement before arriving at UCLA. You undergo all of the necessary tests and spend some time acclimating in California before returning to New York. You need to publicly declare your relationship with Victoria, and we need to get you and Victoria in front of a camera for an interview, but not before announcing your condolences for the lives lost, especially First Officer Lancaster.”

My brows knitted in confusion.

“Who is First Officer Lancaster?”

“The co-pilot who perished,” Doug advised.

“Co-pilot Josh?” Victoria questioned, just as confused as I was.

“Correct. First Officer Joshua Lancaster is the son of the CEO of Solara Dynamics.”

“Solara Dynamics? The aerospace company?” I asked in disbelief.

“The one and only,” Amelia confirmed.