Page 145 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

CHAPTER 39

Last night, after ourconfession of love, I stayed with Robyn. Our lovemaking had been slow and sensual. It was full of more emotion than I’d ever felt. Afterward, Robyn shared more about her breakdown. I held her while we both cried. We didn’t talk about what happened next. We couldn’t. There would be time for that later.

I slipped out of her bed at four a.m. At the door of her bedroom, I stopped and studied her face. When she awoke, I feared pain and anguish would replace her peaceful expression. I turned away. I couldn’t think about that now.

The overnight bag I’d thrown together last night sat by the front door. I’d been able to scrounge up a few items but nothing appropriate for a board meeting. When I arrived in New York City, I’d have to stop by my penthouse to change into a business suit. It was a small price to pay for getting one more night with Robyn.

I grabbed my bag and took my keys from the table. Millie snored in her bed. As much as I wanted to pat her head and rub her ears, I didn’t dare. I needed to slip out before I roused anyone.

Tears streaked down my face as I silently closed the apartment door behind me.Fucking Madison.I needed to get back to New York, where the air wasn’t infused with estrogen.

I arrived at the airport and made it through security in record time. It was one advantage of a small airport. Now I stared out the plane window, blinking into the brightness of the rising sun. I was ready to be in the air, but first class meant sitting on the plane longer as everyone else boarded. Some of my fellow travelers had already ordered a drink. I considered doing the same if it would ease the pain crushing my chest.

Instead, I closed my eyes. Since I’d gotten little sleep last night, perhaps I could take a nap during the two-and-a-half-hour flight. With the thoughts pinging in my head, I doubted I could sleep.

I kept my eyes closed until after takeoff, but I’d been right. My mind had no intention of shutting down. I let out a heavy sigh, pulled my bag from under the seat, and took out the journal I’d stashed there. I’d picked it up in Robyn’s bookstore a few days ago. Still, I longed for Auntie Bess’s notebook, but it was in my luggage back at the villa.

I clicked my pen and stared at the blank sheet in front of me.

A flight attendant, seeing I was awake, asked if I wanted anything. I wanted to order a bloody Mary. Instead, I asked for water.

I agonized over the empty page until I finally put the tip of my pen on the paper. Once I started writing, I wrote nonstop, and I was shocked when the pilot announced our descent intoLaGuardia. After complying with his instructions, I thumbed through the notebook. I’d filled eighteen pages; however, it wasn’t in my normally precise and orderly way. Notes were scrawled everywhere, including in the margins and backsides of the pages. Scribbles, arrows, and drawings filled the page.

The older woman next to me smiled and said, “I didn’t want to bother you while you were working. My husband used to slip into the zone, and I knew to leave him be.”

I glanced at her and smiled. “Yeah, I rarely do this.” I pointed at all the scribbles. “I guess that’s what happens when I don’t have my laptop.”

“He always preferred good old-fashioned paper. He said it made him think better.”

I held up the notebook and shook it. “He might just be right. I haven’t experienced a mind dump like this in forever.”

“Are you working on a project?”

I told her about my notes as we approached the city.

In business, I’d always found talking out my ideas helped bring clarity. Today was no exception. As I chatted with my seatmate, my disjointed ramblings coalesced into something coherent. Emma would deem this another moment of serendipity.

By the time we landed, I thanked the woman and hurried from the plane. I still had three hours before I needed to be at Ironclad’s offices. Ample time to follow through on my first agenda item.

Before climbing from the cab at 740 Park Place, I gave the driver a generous tip. I’d considered stopping by my penthouse to change into the business suit I planned on wearing for the board meeting later, but I decided against it. I glanced down at my bluejeans and V-neck T-shirt and grinned. They’d have to take me as I was.

I presented my ID to the doorman, who studied me for some time before waving me inside. I’d visited here often but never dressed this way. Once in the elevator, my palms began to sweat. Was this a bad idea?

Too late now since the elevator door slid open. A smiling Sylvia McClinton greeted me and threw her arms around me before I could react. Once I got my bearing, I returned her embrace.

“Blake, I’m so glad you called.” Sylvia released me but continued to hold my hands in hers. “I didn’t tell Terrence you were coming. In case….” Her voice trailed off.

“In case I changed my mind?”

She gave me a partial smile, and her pale blue eyes misted. Seeing her on the verge of tears brought a lump to my throat.Fuck.

Her expression changed from sadness to curiosity. Still holding my hands, she took a step back. “You look good. Fantastic.”

I glanced down at my outfit and crinkled my nose. “You think so?”

Sylvia chuckled. “I wasn’t talking about your interesting wardrobe choice. But there’s something else. Something intangible.”

Unsure how to reply, I responded. “You’re looking good, too.” I studied the poised woman who I’d come to love over the years. Her clothes were immaculate and her hair perfectly styled, but there was a tightness around her eyes and mouth.