Hudson (Anderson Billionaires #4) - Melody Anne Page 0,6

it gives me far more time to get hives. I sucked it up and flew.”

“Were you in Australia for pleasure?” he pushed. Why was he pushing? He never wanted to know people’s stories.

“No, for work, but that’s over now. I’m on a new path.” She seemed shocked as if she hadn’t meant to say those words. He wanted to know why she’d said them.

She began to relax as they chatted, and he felt something stir as he realized he was calming her. He never cared about making the people around him more comfortable. So why was he feeling as if he’d won the lottery when she began to smile?

“What’s your name?” he asked.

She gave him a tentative smile. “Not that it matters as we’ll be parting company very quickly, but I’m Daisy.”

“Unusual name. I like it,” he told her, not offering his name. She didn’t give her last name, but he noticed the boarding pass sticking out of her purse, name side up.

Daisy Green. Got it.

He stood and didn’t say a word as he moved to the desk where the harried-looking boarding agent looked up. When she saw who it was, she smiled and relaxed. Now, that was the reaction he was used to getting. He gave her his best smile, then leaned in close. He heard the sigh escape her painted pink lips.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Anderson?”

“I purchased the seat next to mine; I want Daisy Green moved to it,” he said. He didn’t like riding next to a stranger for countless hours, so he always purchased the seat next to him when flying commercial.

“Is Ms. Green here?” she asked as she looked behind him.

He smiled again, being his most charming self. “I want it to be a surprise,” he said with a wink. The woman blushed.

“I understand,” she told him. “I’m not supposed to do this, but for you I guess I can make an exception.”

Within a few seconds, Daisy had been moved next to him. This flight had gotten a whole lot more interesting. Would she still intrigue him after another few hours, or would he regret his decision?

He had a feeling he wasn’t going to regret anything.

Chapter Three

Daisy had never met such a strange man. He’d seemed cold for a while, then he’d loosened up. But all of a sudden, he’d simply gotten up and walked away. Who in the world did that? She could possibly understand it if he hadn’t engaged in conversation with her.

But nope. He had spoken to her for a brief time and then just upped and left.

It wasn’t as if she’d exchange numbers with him anyway. Years down the road she might remember this moment and wonder who he was, and what he was up to. He wasn’t a stranger she’d easily forget; he was too appealing for that to happen. But she was smart enough to realize that even if he had made an impression on her, that didn’t mean it went both ways.

She was positive she was much easier to forget. She was somewhere in the middle of too plain and a bombshell. That had served her well, allowing her to get around without a lot of fanfare. It had made her jobs — and her life in general — easier.

Being super ugly or super beautiful seemed to make life the hardest. You were picked on either way when you were younger, and as you got older it could affect your work life, your relationships, and even how confident you were.

But no matter how much you relied upon looks, they weren’t a guaranteed thing. Age had a way of softening a look or taking away beauty. So in the end it typically evened out. Daisy’s positive attitude about life had gotten her through some very difficult times.

“Daisy Green.” She looked up as her name was called over the PA system. “Please come to the boarding gate counter. Daisy Green, please come to gate A7 for a change in seating.”

Daisy felt tears spring to her eyes. She’d already been bumped twice. Flying standby wasn’t the way to go. But, then again, she literally had nowhere else to be.

With great reluctance she slowly made her way to the gate. This too shall pass, she told herself. Even if she didn’t get on a plane for another twenty-four hours, it didn’t really matter. By this time next week, she’d be sitting at home with a hot cup of coffee in her hands and her gramps chattering away. She wouldn’t