Chapter 24
MYA
The week flies by, and before I know it, we’re back at the airport, waiting for the company jet to be ready for boarding.
After that night Worth ordered room service for me, no lines were crossed beyond that one kiss I baited out of him by dropping Ethan’s name. Since then, nothing. No stolen touches, no testing my boundaries.
A part of me is relieved. The other part aches, like something is missing.
But it’s better this way.
Until I’ve told my colleagues, family and friends about our “relationship,” I’d rather keep him at arm’s length.
Ethan appears at my side, holding out a paper cup.
“Here’s your latte, Mya. Oat milk, no sugar.”
Just how I like it. If I were even a little interested in him, this would’ve been a winning move. Ethan has been kind, thoughtful, and always circling just close enough to make his intentions obvious. Eventually, I’ll have to tell him I’m not interested before he gets the wrong idea.
“Thanks, E,” I say, taking a sip. The warm bitterness blooms across my tongue and I can’t help the moan that slips out around the rim of the cup.
Ethan grins, but my gaze shifts across the terminal.
Worth is watching, as always.
At this point, I’m convinced Worth Miller missed his calling as a professional stalker. One of these days, I’m going to start charging him rent for all the space he occupies in my line of sight.
He’s standing with Seraya and one of the project leads, his broad shoulders framed by his suit jacket, phone in hand, only half-listening to whoever’s speaking. And his eyes are locked on me.
My stomach flips. That unreadable mask of his makes it impossible to tell what he’s thinking, though I know one thing for sure: he noticed Ethan’s nice gesture.
I tear my gaze away, pretending to be fascinated with the coffee lid. Ethan starts talking about the meetings we wrapped up yesterday, but the words blur. Worth’s stare is like static over my skin.
When I finally glance back, he’s typing something into his phone.
My phone buzzes against my palm, and I glance down.
Worth:
If you take another sip of that coffee, I’m going to march over there and dump it over the fucker’s head.
My brows shoot up. Jealous much? Though for some reason, I kinda like it.
I dart a glance at Ethan, who’s still chatting and smiling beside me, completely oblivious. I can’t believe he’s still hovering after Worth practically threatened him at the gala. Either he was too drunk to remember or he’s got a death wish.
Heat creeps up the back of my neck.
You wouldn’t.
Worth:
Oh, I would, Mya. I dare you.
I suck in a sharp breath. Is he serious? My hand tightens around the paper cup, pulse racing. Slowly, I raise it to my mouth, testing him.
Worth takes one deliberate step forward from across the waiting area, eyes locked on me like a predator.
Oh my God. He is serious.
Panic flares, and I quickly toss the cup into the trash behind me. Ethan doesn’t notice.
My hands tremble as I type furiously.
You’re crazy.
His reply comes instantly.
Worth:
I don’t make a habit of lying, Ms. Jones.
I press my lips together to keep from smiling.
You have no right to tell me what to do.
Worth:
You have the option not to listen, but you’ll face the consequences.
My thighs clench together at the word consequences, damn it.
That’s strong-arming, Mr. Miller. I didn’t know you to be so cunning.
Worth:
You’re the cunning one, Mya.
A shiver slides down my spine at the way he turns everything back on me.
Maybe a little.
Worth:
For someone who claims to not want anything to do with me, you sure know how to contradict yourself with your actions.
Touché. My cheeks burn.
Whatever.
We finally get the call to board the plane, and I tuck my phone into my pocket as I head toward the jetway with the group.
But the closer I get to the plane, the heavier my chest feels. The memory of being trapped in the sky for sixteen hours rushes back.
By the time I reach my seat in the back, my palms have gone clammy as I grip the armrests, legs locking in place, unable to move.
You got this. Just breathe.
“Ms. Jones.”
The sound of his deep voice rolls over me.
Slowly, I turn. Worth is watching me with soft eyes.
“Yes, Mr. Miller?” I manage, though my voice wobbles.
“Please sit next to me on the flight. I need to go over the final drawings for the Singapore project.”
I blink. He’s giving me an excuse. A shield. And he’s dressing it up as work so no one else will question it.
My heart squeezes so tight I almost forget how to breathe.
I grab my stuff and sit next to Worth.
The sixteen hours back feel shorter this time. Maybe because I kept my eyes glued to the window. Maybe because I slept in uneven stretches, conscious of the man sitting beside me. After going over the drawings for the project, we barely exchanged words, but he stayed lodged under my skin.
When the plane touches down in Seattle, relief floods me. I’m bone-tired, but grateful to breathe familiar air again. The others gather their things and we file down the steps.
“Great trip, guys,” Ethan says, giving me a little wave before jogging towards the rideshare queue. Seraya hugs me quickly, promising to catch up on Monday. Everyone disperses, dragging their suitcases behind them, until the only ones left are Worth and me.
Tiana is waiting at the curb, sunglasses perched on her head like a crown. The second she spots me, she waves both arms, grinning. Then her eyes shift and land on my boss.
Her smile drops and she actually gawks at him. “Oh. My. God.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, but I catch it all the same when I reach her.
I want to sink into the pavement. “TJ,” I hiss under my breath. “Stop staring.”
But she doesn’t. Her gaze tracks Worth like he’s walking straight out of a billionaire bachelor magazine spread, because—well, he kind of is.
Worth offers her a polite nod, then winks at me before heading off.
Tiana blinks three times fast, then leans towards me. “That’s your boss? That’s your Worth Miller? He’s even hotter in person.”
Heat prickles across my cheeks. “Get in the car.”
She smirks, and I roll my eyes at her, shoving my bag into the trunk before she can embarrass me further.
Tiana sneaks another glance at him in the rearview mirror as we drive off. “Tell me everything.”
I sigh, leaning my head against the cool window. “There’s not much to tell. It was work. Meetings, site visits, more meetings, and…” I pick at a loose thread on my sleeve, then just rip the Band-Aid. “I took your advice.”
“Which advice? The ‘say yes to the hot billionaire’s insane plan’ advice?”
I swallow. “Yes.”
Tiana slams a palm against the steering wheel, letting out a victory gasp. “MJ! You actually did it.”
“Don’t make it a thing,” I warn, though I can’t stop the tiny smile pulling at my mouth. “The terms are clear. We set boundaries—and it’s only temporary.”
“Uh huh. Temporary with a man who looks like that.” She wiggles her brows.
“I’m serious, TJ.” I lace my fingers together to still them. “This is mutually beneficial. It’s not—”
“Romance,” she supplies in a sing-song. “Got it. Totally not romance. Purely contractual. Absolutely nothing to do with the way you look when you talk about him.”
I groan into my hands. “Drive.”
Tiana laughs. “We’ll circle back to the real details later. But right now, I need to swing by Willow’s to grab the weekend schedule.”
Soon enough, after the detour, we’re pulling into our parents’ driveway. My chest warms at the thought of seeing them. I didn’t realize how much I missed home until now.
Dinner is loud. Mom fusses over me, Devon teases, and JJ fills us in on middle school drama.
Later, Tiana and I collapse on her bed. I curl up against her pillows while she flips through her planner.
After catching her up on what happened in Singapore, I ask, “So, how’s Willow’s been holding up without me?”
Her lips curve though her shoulders sag. “It’s been tough. Aravind asked me to find a replacement for you, but everyone I’ve tried either flakes or just isn’t good enough. You left big shoes, MJ. We miss you.”
My chest pinches. Before I can reply, she adds, “And I talked to him again about me buying the place. But he wants to sell soon, and I don’t have the down payment, and there’s no way I can work a second job right now.”
I sit up straighter, suddenly remembering how worried Griffin was at the gala. “Wait. What if you tried nannying?”
Tiana snorts. “Me? A nanny?”
“Why not?” I grin. “You’re amazing with kids.
You used to babysit the whole neighborhood; you even made those business cards Devon helped you design.
Griffin, one of my bosses, has been looking for someone reliable to watch his son.
It could be perfect. Especially if it’s live-in.
You’d have mornings and evenings with the kid, and you’d still be able to work at Willow’s during the day while he’s at school. ”
She blinks, chewing it over. “Huh. That actually… doesn’t sound terrible.”
“See? Perfect fit.”
Before I can push more, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. Worth’s name lights up the screen. My heart kicks.
Worth:
Great work this week, Ms. Jones.
I bite back a smile, warmth spreading through me as I lock my phone without replying. It’s safer that way.