Page 34 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

“ H ey!” I almost shout, smiling too big for my own good. “Thank you for all the flowers! You made my day!”

“Of course, Sunshine! Glad you liked them.” He pauses. “I was thinking, it’s going to be too long until I see you again. What do you think about coming to Texas? Then I can wake up with you properly.”

“Ummm. When? I have to go into the gym sometimes.”

“I was thinking Friday to Sunday. I’d ask you to come earlier, but then you’d be all alone in a state you don’t know.”

My smile is from ear to ear. I wanted to go see him in Texas and now he’s asking me. It’s not desperate if I go anymore.

“Yeah, I can make that work. I’ll look at a flight right now.” Let’s be real, I need another fix of him. The sex was so good. He lit my body on fire. I’m not going to think about the butterflies in my stomach when he calls me or how his voice makes my body shudder.

“No, no. I told you your money is no good around me. I want to spoil you a little bit.”

“What does that mean?” I was thinking more like a sex fest.

“You’ll see. Andrew, my driver, will be taking you and Queenie to the plane.”

“I can find someone to watch Queenie.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you two are a package deal.”

“Grant, it’s okay if she doesn’t come. I don’t want to put her in cargo hold.”

“I don’t want her there either. She won’t be. ”

“Are you sure? My parents or Paige don’t mind.”

“I’m sure you’re bringing her. I miss her too.”

I can’t with this guy. “If you’re sure...”

“Good. Can’t wait until Friday, Sunshine.”

“Me either. Talk to you soon.”

I get out of the tub and spot my reflection. I look like a giddy little girl. It’s how Grant makes me feel. I put my robe on and add to my grateful list.

Flowers. Especially on a cloudy day.

Queenie. For finding me and running with me.

I know what I want to put as the last thing I’m grateful for, but I stare at the paper and tap my mouth with my pen. After thinking about it and not being able to let the thought go, I write:

Grant. For Hawaii, for delivering flowers, arranging a date with a chef, for his sex skills, and for being a great person to know.

I stare down at my grateful list and can’t stop thinking about what’s next.

~

Friday is finally here. It’s nine in the morning and I have my bag packed along with a few things for Queenie. We took a run at seven this morning, so she’ll be okay during the flight. It was so thoughtful of Grant to include her on this trip.

I lock up and we walk down the stairs. I don’t want Andrew waiting longer than he needs to be. He pulls up right as we reach the street.

“Miss Love?” he asks after he exits the vehicle. He’s dressed in a black button-down and black slacks. He’s maybe fifty with kind, blue eyes showing a bit of wrinkles. He’s sporting a slight comb-over and a tiny pot belly, but it works on him .

“Hi, Andrew! You can call me Lana.”

“Is this Queenie?” He pets her briefly. I’m always surprised when someone dressed nicely has no fear of getting dog hair all over them.

I give a small smile. “This is the Queenie. You know, I was googling the policy for dogs on a plane yesterday. I think Queenie is close to forty pounds. Should we drop her off with my parents first? I don’t want her to fly in luggage, and I don’t see how Grant could persuade an airline to let me have her on my lap. ”

“Don’t worry. Mr. Green has it all taken care of.”

“Did he get Queenie her own special seat? I don’t have a crate.”

“I wouldn’t worry, Lana. You ready to go?”

I eye him with a suspicious look. “I’m worried. Are they going to stop her from getting on the plane?”

“No. Mr. Green made special arrangements.”

He loads my luggage into the trunk for me as I fidget with the leash. I’m looking at the car like maybe I should’ve asked more questions before I agreed to this. He holds the back door open. I continue looking at it.

“The car won’t bite. It’s just an hour drive.”

“Andrew has jokes.” I look at him with one eyebrow raised as I look around. After a few moments I tell him, “Okay, let’s go.” I release a breath. I let Queenie get in and then I follow.

I stare out the window as we pass building after building and then pine tree after pine tree. I realize I’ve gotten into a car with a man I know nothing about.

“So...Drew. Mind if I call you Drew?”

“My family calls me Drew,” he tells me, looking in the mirror.

I’m getting family vibes from him myself. He’s one of those people you feel like you know instantly.

“How long have you known Grant?”

“I’ve known him since he was twelve. His dad hired me to drive him around before he had his license. Once Mr. Green got going with his business, he asked me to work for him instead of his father. He flies me back and forth from Washington and Texas, or wherever he’ll be.”

“He doesn’t let you call him Grant?”

“He insists on it, but he’s my employer. It feels weird.”

At least Grant’s not a snob. “He travels often?”

“Just recently. He usually stays in the office in Texas. I think because you and Matt are here, he wants to be here too.”

That gives me no information. He mentioned Matt being here too, so there’s no definitive answer if he comes to Washington just for me. Grant told me he comes here for me, but he could be lying. I’m lost in my thoughts and before I know it, Andrew pulls up to a private airport.

“What’s going on here, Drew?”

“Mr. Green arranged for your flight to take off from here.”

“You coming with us?” I look hopeful.

“Not this time.” He gives me a slight smile. “Don’t worry, you’ll have someone to pick you up in Texas.”

He gets out and opens my door, then retrieves my luggage from the trunk. “The plane is right here. You’ll be flying with Captain Emmy.”

“A woman pilot? Cool! Thanks Drew! Am I supposed to tip you?”

“No, Lana. Mr. Green pays me well.”

“Okay, thanks for the ride.” I slap his shoulder since I can’t help myself from saying goodbye properly. He has major dad vibes. He’s lucky I didn’t go in for a hug.

I walk with Queenie up to a plane. It’s white with six windows. It’s a little bigger than Matt’s plane, but still relatively small. The stairs are down. I’m guessing we just walk up them.

Queenie leads the way into the plane while I look around, waiting for someone to say “Hey, stop you imposter!” Once we make it up the stairs without anyone yelling at us, I freeze in the doorway.

“Hello?” My head turns looking for someone.

“Hi! Miss Love?” A slim woman pops her head around the corner of the cock pit. “Sorry I wasn’t there to greet you. Come in, come in!”

“Wanted to make sure I was in the right place.” I tuck a non-existent strand behind my ear.

“Yes, we’ve been expecting you.”

“We?”

“My husband is the co-pilot. This is Eli.”

I’m glad her husband is here. Emmy is one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen.

It’s a natural, sophisticated way, though.

Her hair is in a French twist and she looks to be only wearing mascara and lipstick.

Her husband and her are both in a white button-down, short-sleeved shirt, and tan slacks.

I’d have major competition if she was single.

Grant would see her and forget about me instantly. She’s a pilot for fuck’s sake.

“Take a seat! Make yourself comfortable.” She smiles, the damn thing lighting up the space. “We’ll be taking off in about ten minutes.”

“Okay, thank you.” I think I’m blushing. I have a fucking crush on Emmy.

My eyes scan over the plane’s interior, all white with a modern feel.

It’s my second time on a private plane this year.

Matt’s plane was cozy—still spectacular, but this plane is more sophisticated.

It looks like it’s made especially for big wigs on business trips.

I feel out of place in my usual leggings and a baggy black T-shirt.

Queenie has already made herself comfortable on a bench seat.

Her paws are crossed as she watches the door.

I don’t know why, but she looks to be expecting another passenger.

I make myself comfortable with my laptop by a window seat. In what feels like an hour, but was probably at least four, we’re landing. I look out the window wondering how Queenie and I will make it to Grant.