“Dad, we’re getting ready to leave. The cab should be here in a few minutes.”
Reclining his chair forward, he slowly stands. “I wish you’d let me drive you to the airport. I’m not an invalid.”
“You heard what the doctor said.”
“He’s a quack, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
I hear Ashton snicker from beside me, so I give him a look to let him know he’s not helping. “Please, Daddy,” I plead. He gets a soft spot for me when I call him that. “Promise me you’ll take it easy. You know I’m going to worry as it is.”
“Okay. For you, pumpkin, anything.”
“Thank you.” I slide my arms around his waist, and he kisses my temple. My eyes clench shut as I will back the tears. I’m scared to leave him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby girl.”
When I step back, he extends his hand to Ashton. “It was great meeting you, son. I’m just sorry it wasn’t under better circumstances.”
“It was great meeting you, too,” he replies.
“I’m going to feel a lot better knowing my Emma has you looking after her in California.”
Ashton’s face softens as his hand blindly reaches for mine. “Always,” he says to my father as our fingers intertwine.
A few minutes later, the cab honks its horn out front. Ashton takes our bags outside, and I give my dad one last hug.
“I’ll see you in a few days,” I say. Ashton and I are going to fly back on the weekend.
“You don’t need to do that, I’ll be okay.”
“Daddy, we already discussed this.”
“Fine. I’ll see you this weekend, pumpkin.”
He waves us off from the front porch, and the moment the cab pulls away from the house, the first tears fall.
“Come here,” Ashton says, gathering me in his arms.
Chapter Thirty-Four
EMMA
The Barclay jet is waiting for us on the tarmac when we arrive at the airport. Jasmin is standing at the bottom of the stairs ready to greet us. Her eyes zero in on our conjoined hands as we approach.
“Mr. Barclay… Miss Phoenix,” she says, greeting us with a warm smile.
“Jasmin,” we reply in unison.
“I gather we won’t be requiring any parachutes during this flight,” she says giving me a cheeky wink.
My face turns beet red, and Ashton chuckles. “No, she loves me again,” he replies, placing a kiss on the side of my head. “I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist my charm for long.”
Jasmin giggles when I roll my eyes.
She handles our luggage while we board the plane.
“I’m hoping you’ll sit next to me this time,” Ashton says, guiding me toward the seats at the front of the plane. “It was hell being so far away from you on the last flight.”
“Meh, I’ll think about it,” I reply with a casual shrug.
“You won’t just be sitting next to me, you’ll be sitting on my fucking lap, Emma,” he demands.
“So bossy.”
“You love it,” he counters.
No, I love you.
“It’s growing on me.”
“Let me guess, like fungus?”
We both laugh.
I spot the awaiting stretch limousine through the window when we touch down in LA. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this lifestyle.
We’re both tired. Utah has been an emotionally and physically draining stay, not to mention the lack of sleep from us spending our nights lost in each other.
I’m surprised to see Valentina exit the limo as we descend the stairs. I wasn’t expecting her to be here.
“Did you know your mother was coming?”
“No. She mentioned she’d have a car waiting for us when we arrived, though.”
The smile on her face is huge as we walk toward her hand in hand. “I’m so glad you two worked things out,” she says, pulling us into a group hug.
When she steps back, she focuses her attention on me. Her hand cups my face as she speaks. “How’s your father, dear? I’ve been so worried.”
“He’s doing a lot better. Thank you. And thank you for allowing me to use your jet.”
“It’s yours to use anytime you need it. You’re family now.”
“Mother!” Ashton scolds.
“Well, practically,” she says, waving him off, and I have to suppress my laugh.
“I’m sorry,” Ashton whispers in my ear. I squeeze his hand letting him know it’s okay. He’s mentioned how eager his mother is to see him settle down.
The driver puts our bags in the trunk of the car as we slide into the back seat. “Should we go have some dinner before Henry takes you home?” Valentina asks.
“We’re both tired, Mother. And we have work tomorrow.”
“Of course,” she says, looking disappointed. “Another time, maybe.” Her attention moves to me. “Emma, you’re coming to my charity dinner at the end of the month?”
“I wasn’t aware of it,” I reply.
“You’ll be bringing her, won’t you, son?”
“If she wants to come, of course.”
“Wonderful. Oh, that reminds me, I brought the thing you asked me to.”
His mother looks at me and smiles. Thing? I eye the large bag she passes him as he takes it from her and places it on the floor near his feet.
“Where would you like Henry to take you both?”
“It would be easier to drop Emma off first.”
“Okay.”
Ashton rattles off my address, and it makes me anxious. She’ll probably be horrified to see where I live, just like her son was the first time he came there.
The closer we get, the more apprehensive I become. I’m not ashamed, but I’m worried she’ll think I’m no longer good enough for her son once she finds out I’m a lowly commoner.
When we pull up outside my apartment building, Valentina sits forward in her seat, her gaze sweeping over the building. “Is this where you live, Emma?” she asks.
As well as installing a CCTV camera and security gate at the entry of the building, the new owners have given the exterior a slight makeover. Unfortunately, there’s only so much a new coat of paint can do.
“Yes. It’s close to my work.”
Her eyes move to Ashton. “It’s quaint.”
Quaint is not a word I’d use to describe it, but at least she’s being polite.
Her son called it a dump.
The driver opens the door, and Ashton picks up the bag his mother gave him and exits the car.
“Well, thank you again for everything,” I say, scooting across the seat.
“You’re welcome, dear. Can we still have that lunch?”
“I’d like that.”
“I’ll call you. Sometime during the week, perhaps?”
“I work weekdays.”
“That’s okay. I’ll come to you. How long is your lunch break?”
“An hour.”
“Perfect. I’ll be in touch.”
I take Ashton’s extended hand.