“No, I don’t suppose there is.”
“Perfect, then it is settled. I’ll have Dennis fly in earlier in the day and he will be on standby for whenever you are able to leave work. I’ll give you his cell number so you can give him a call and let him know when you are ready to leave.”
“Okay.” He agreed.
“Do you need a driver? I could send Eddie up with the plane?”
“Whose Eddie?”
“My driver from last night, you met him.”
“Oh, I thought maybe he came with the car service or something.”
I laughed lightly. “No, Eddie has been with the company for thirty years, he was my father’s driver. He insists on accompanying me on trips. I don’t use him or the company car at home. Drives him nuts. He is very traditional; doesn’t think I should be driving myself around town.”
“Wow.” Mac looked at me.
“What?”
“Well, I know you told me about your company and all, I guess I didn’t realize that it included all of this.”
“Is it a problem?”
“No, it’s not a problem. I’ve just never flown on a private plane or had a driver before.”
“It does take getting used to, I have to admit.”
“No offense to Eddie, but I think I can manage to get myself to the airport.”
“Okay. No problem,” I stood up “I’m going to take a shower, want to join me?” I gave him a devilish smile.
“Yes, ma’am.” After the shower, Mac was dressed and headed to work.
“Text me when you land?” Again, flashbacks of texting Ethan when I had gotten home safely. I needed to stop this; I couldn’t let something that happened six years ago ruin a potential relationship.
“I will.” I smiled.
He kissed me deeply.
I didn’t have any girlfriends that I was close to. I kept myself buried in work all the time. Michael, Eddie and Sherry were my closest friends. I felt the urge to call a girlfriend and tell her all about what had just happened with Mac and yet slightly sad that I had no one to call. The choices you make in life.
I was dressed and ready to go by the time Eddie knocked on my door. The hotel staff had already delivered my morning paper and picked up the dishes including the two cups Mac and I had used.
“You’re up early.” Eddie said as I let him in the room.
“Yep.” I didn’t elaborate that I hadn’t been to sleep at all. “Did you have a good time last night? I asked.
“Yeah did you?” I turned to him with my eyebrows raised. “What do you mean?”
“You left me a message that said you had gone out for a while. Did you have a good time?”
I eyed him suspiciously, normally he would be peppering me with twenty questions about why I had gone out alone and who had I seen. “Yeah, I did.” I smiled. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, I am.” He nodded and spying my suitcase he picked it up and headed for the door.
I followed him out.
“Where’s your stuff?” I asked once we were on the elevator.
“Already in the car.”
“Oh.” I watched the numbers change on the digital read out. I stopped by the front desk for a receipt and to return my room key.
Once we were in the air I sat back and thought about Mac.
I was exhausted by the time we got home. I had never been able to sleep on the plane very well despite the comfort it offered. There were too many memories of harried flights out of dangerous and unstable places to allow me to ever be able to relax enough on any plane to sleep.
I had Eddie drop me off at home. I’d go to the office tomorrow. For now, I needed some real sleep.
I woke up in the middle of the night. My timing was off. I was still tired, and my mind was racing. I was questioning just how well things went at the hospital and what would I do if they refused the idea of the implant. Honestly, the thought had never occurred to me until now. Then I started questioning my evening with Mac. What the hell had I been thinking? Why had I allowed myself to get in the situation to begin with? What would my grandfather think? I was a grown woman and if I wanted male companionship I was allowed.
I got up and paced. Arguing with myself was going to get me nowhere. I decided to venture downstairs for a warm toddy to help me get back to sleep.
I woke again before my alarm. I looked to the front window. The car I had seen before I left on my trip was back. I decided I would get to the bottom of this once and for all. If someone was up to no good, then they should know someone was watching them. I headed for the front door ready to give whoever it was a piece of my mind. But as I opened the door the car pulled away. I couldn’t get down the steps fast enough to get a look at the license plate. But I noted is was a dark gray Dodge Hellcat.
I ate, dressed for the office and gathered my things including the gift I had bought for Sherry. I couldn’t wait to see her face when she opened it. I drove to the office, happy not to have to make small talk with Eddie this morning. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts. My stomach was in knots. What if Mac did come down this weekend? Was I being ridiculous? Did I really want to be in a relationship? Mac didn’t strike me as the love and leave ‘em type of guy. But, was I ready for commitment?
“Good Morning, Sherry.” I greeted as I came down the hallway.
“Good Morning. I’m so glad you’re back.”
I looked at her concerned.
“Did something happen while I was gone?”
“No, things just seem to run more smoothly when you
