is for you to be here, too, so you two can talk and work things out.”
The lady boo-hoo’d into the phone. This was crazy weird for me, eyes blowing up as I continued to face the window. We’d driven through a parking lot, passing the actual airport building. I had no idea where we were going, but the mention of that one name had my whole damn body tensing.
The Benjamin?
“With all due respect, Mrs. Cooper, I’m at the airport and need to board. I will not be visiting Texas this break. I’m sure I will see Aivery again in due time.”
The car pulled onto a lot near a plane. Two planes. My face tightened, and I was stuck between our location and their conversation.
There was another pause before she sniffled. “Well, thanks for your honesty, Ashton Spencer. Happy holidays.” The woman was still emotional.
The limo came to a stop and the trunk sounded behind me, unlocking to open. Steve, the driver, stepped out and made his way to Ashton’s side first.
“Happy holidays, Mrs. Cooper.” Ashton was ending the call.
At this point, I couldn’t focus on her follow-up. I didn’t know what to do, so tempted to open my own door. My gut told me to stay put. My current mood was super annoyed times ten, making me want to be independent of…everybody. I felt myself shutting down, and now was not the best time. It was bad enough I had no idea why we were here, but not having control sucked ass. I peeped a tall, white woman in a skirt suit, heels, and pink lipstick approaching the car. I could hear voices speaking behind the car, hers clearly.
Before I knew it, my door was being opened. I grabbed my bag and moved to leave. Steve gave a neck bow as I stood to my feet. “Enjoy your flight and time in New Jersey, Ms. Tori.”
I fought to give a simple smile as a response. I hated feeling the bitch raging in me all of a sudden.
“Hi, Tori!” the woman in the suit greeted with big eyes. “We’ve been looking forward to your flight. Let’s get you aboard and comfortable. Jersey awaits you!”
She motioned toward the damn plane, and even though her knowing my name shocked me, I didn’t allow it to show. Without a reaction, I followed her. On the way, I could hear Ashton take another call behind me. I mentally shut him off. Too much was happening now, the last thing I needed was to be stressed over the seesaw drama of him and Aivery. Fuck that he smelled dangerously good. Ashton was still...Ashton.
I followed her clacking heels up the steps, peeping the lights on each one. Inside was narrow, well lit, and long. The top of the plane was white, as I’d seen on others. The carpet was a mild gray with slightly lighter chairs. The fake wood paneling gave it a warm feel. But…
This ain’t a regular plane…
I smelled food. Like…pot-cooked food. There were no rows of matching seats. In fact, there was a bench, four regular plane chairs, then a plastic, artificial wood panel half-wall closing off the seating area. Was this private?
“Hungry?” Ashton was behind me, in my ear.
His deep voice scared the shit out of me, making my body leap in the air. I turned to him, filled with questions. I knew he was a rich brat, but…
“What the hell is all of this?”
Ashton’s eyes rose above me to quickly observe the plane. He lifted the brim of his hat to air out his head. When his attention returned to me, it turned lazy.
“Me being the fuckin’ Prince of Zamunda.” He winked.
I wanted to jab his ass, he was so sexy.
Chapter Eighteen
-THEN-
We had eaten a full meal of chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and string beans and my belly was full. The “itis” was creeping up on me, and it was fair. It had been a long day of working out, packing, and running with Ashton. We’d been together since last night, only separating to shit or piss. If this was what having a boyfriend was like, I had to be sure to choose the right one.
I flipped through an Ebony magazine. Black faces inside and outside had never been more vivid for me. Until this fall, I didn’t appreciate our accomplishments or highlights. From art to sports, music to journalism, I was now aware. Even while on a freaking private plane, I was sure due to a Black man making burgers