boy wore his headphones, played his games, and then slept most of the way.”
“People like that woman are always in first class. They are quite annoying with their unnecessary attitudes.”
“Are they wealthy, and they just look down their noses at the rest of us?”
“Not necessarily.” I pursed my lips and tucked her hair behind her ear. “It’s usually the ones who went in debt for a first-class ticket who act like they own the plane.”
“I think it has less to do with money and more to do with manners. Maybe it’s just me.” Avery sighed. “I’m glad she was uncomfortable with me up there. It’s worth taking a boat across the pond since I’m on the no-fly list now.”
I laughed. “As fun as that might seem, when you and Addy are able to join me on trips to London, we’re probably going to be flying on my plane.”
“You have a goddamn plane on top of everything else?”
“As I mentioned to that joker earlier, you have to actually work and work hard to be where you want to be. I didn’t take handouts; that man does. I took a company over that my dad busted his ass to build. I worked my ass off in school to graduate at the top of my class, and my dad made me start at the bottom of Mitchell and Associates and work up from there. I earned that chair after he passed, and it made it easier to assume the monumental role I took on after that. No one respects the trust-fund brat who steps into Daddy’s shoes straight from prep school. I wasn’t about to be one of those guys. My father wouldn’t allow any of his sons to be one of those guys, and that was well known in anyone’s company we kept. So, with all that said, I earned that airplane too.” I smiled at her. “It’s what I also find so admirable in you. I see that you have Addison first—not looking for handouts—and you’re busting your ass and letting nothing stop you from achieving a living for yourself.”
“Wrong about the handouts, though, buddy.” She playfully poked my chest. “You just ruined all of that by buying me a car. Since I have a car that I can actually depend on now, I can definitely live a little better, knowing I’ll make it from point A to point B.”
I grinned. “You don’t feel as though you earned something like the car I purchased for you?”
“That’s a tough question. Sometimes I feel like the shit in my life happens because I sort of deserve it. I mean, I don’t take any bullshit sitting down, but I seem to get my face rubbed into the ground no matter how many times I get back up to fight back. It got exhausting at times when I was always fighting for myself. The ultimate bitch, I think people would say.” She laughed. “But it all changed when I had my baby girl. Yes, life still seemed to want a piece of me at every turn, but I have more determination than ever. I have Addy to fight for now too, and I guess that makes it easier to get back up.” Her face became solemn. “Now, I feel like I’ve gotten a break—a break from the shitty hand life dealt me.” Her eyes looked soulfully into mine.
“And what was that?”
“Simple. You.” She shrugged. “I’ve never met anyone in my life who gave even half a damn about me as you do. Who knows, maybe the plane crashed on my way to London, your dreamy face was the last thing I saw, and this is all my slice of heaven. Here I thought I lived a life that would surely send my ass straight to hell.” She laughed.
“Straight to hell, eh?” I ran my hand along the beautiful curve of her body, from her shoulders, down her sides, and over her hips. “What happened when you were growing up? You said you were afraid of Addison going into the system should you fight for full custody of her.”
Her eyes diverted from mine, and she frowned. “I don’t think anyone would believe it. I was shocked that Derek’s parents believed it, but they knew my foster mom after my sister hung out with one of their friends for a while. When I came back home, they already knew my story, so I didn’t have to share it.”
I continued to run my hand along her side. “Avery,