Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
DORI
Mel grabs my hands and bounces up and down. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Hunter knocks on my open door. “Are you two ready to go?”
I laugh and glance at Melanie. “I think she’s been ready since she returned with Jonah last night.”
“Of course I was. I couldn’t wait to get back here from packing Jonah’s bag. I knew you would be opening Hunter’s Christmas present and couldn’t wait to celebrate with you.” She grabs my suitcase off the bed. “Paris, here we come.”
Hunter takes it from her hands. “I’ll get this. You go make sure Jonah has everything you need.”
“Smart thinking, boss man.” She flips Hunter’s shirt collar as she passes, practicing random French phrases on her way down the hall.
I sigh as she enters the guest room they’ve been sharing. Hunter steps inside my room and shuts the door behind him.
“I just wanted to give you this.” He takes two strides, closing the space between us, and lifts my chin with his fingers.
He presses his lips against mine. I grip the nape of his neck and pull him in for more. He starts to break away but must change his mind because he relaxes into a sensual kiss. It’s the second kiss we’ve shared since I’ve been here.
I’m sure part of him doesn’t trust me to keep his heart safe and I don’t hold that against him. This time is different, though.
Jami will always be somewhere in my heart with the lost idea of sharing a love with him, but the betrayal I feel around him keeping something so important to himself for all this time isn’t something I can get over.
The universe keeps sending me signs we don’t work, so I’m going to trust it this time. Hunter’s been doing so much work on himself and it’s clear it’s all for me. How could I look away from that?
My feelings have only grown because of it. I’m ready to give him a chance to fill my heart completely and every day he gets closer. Today is no different.
Our lips part from one another and I gaze into his eyes. “Thank you for making my heart grow. Your generosity is something I’ll always be thankful for.”
“Thank you for opening yourself up to me. Having you here has made me happier than ever. I plan on trying to put a smile on your face as long as you’ll let me.” He taps the tip of my nose. “We better go so we can get there on time.”
“I’m ready if you are.”
We leave his place with three security guards trailing us. I want to ask why, but I already know. They’re with us to keep Jami away.
I’m grateful Hunter has honored my wishes about seeing Jami. I’ll do that when I feel ready.
My therapist and I have talked about it at length. She said I have a right to know how I feel and what I want to say before I speak to Jami.
That’s what I want. I’ll take all responsibility if, for whatever reason, Jami gives me an excuse I would consider valid. But I can’t think of one .
We get to the tarmac to board the private jet, and I’m awestruck. The plane is the size of a commercial jet. Hunter explains he offered to pay a business acquaintance to use it for our trip and the guy agreed. I can honestly say it’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever received.
Hunter and I get on first. It’s like a mansion in a plane. Melanie and Jonah get on next.
Her eyes are as wide as can be. “No way do things like this exist.”
“Well, you’re not dreaming, baby girl. That means they do.” Jonah kisses her on the cheek. “There are rooms for all of us to sleep, so go pick one out. You get first dibs.”
She glances at me. “What about Dori? She might want to pick first.”
“Nope. It’s your turn. I’m happy wherever I sleep.” I gesture to the staircase to the second level. “Hunter said the rooms are upstairs, so lead the way.”
“Thank you, Jonah. Thanks, Dori and Hunter. You guys are spoiling me, and I love it.” She squeals. “Oh my god. I’m going to cry tears of joy. Dori, let’s go check out this dream jet.”
With a yank on my hand, she leads me up the stairs, following another flight attendant. Jonah and Hunter laugh and wait behind for the flight attendant to take them to the business area.
They’re planning on working for the first half of the flight, giving Melanie and me enough time to scream like little girls at the luxury and extravagance.
After we pick out our rooms, we find an entertainment area to relax in. Not much later, we’re on our way to Paris with a glass of champagne and spa services set up for later.
Yes, I said spa services. This jet has an onboard massage team. It’s out of the world and over the top.
“Dori, this trip will ruin me. I’ll never want to go anywhere again because nothing can beat it.” She messes with the TV remote. “What movie should we watch?”
“It’s up to you. This trip is all about you, so enjoy taking the reins. I’m just along for the ride.”
She scrolls through the options but turns it off when she can’t find a Paris-themed movie. “I guess that means we’re meant to spend some time catching up.”
“Mel, we’ve spent most of our time together over the past two weeks. What on earth do we need to catch up on?”
She situates herself so she’s facing me. “Lots. Tell me where you are with the whole Hunter situation.”
“There’s not much to tell. You’ve been around us, so you already know.” I rest my head against the back of the couch.
“You didn’t hook up with him after Jonah and I went to bed last night?”
“No. I kissed him to thank him for the trip and went to bed. He said we had to pack and be ready to leave today. I wanted to get everything together.”
“I thought you would’ve done more while we were at Jonah’s.” She moves the chilled champagne closer to us. “I forgot to tell you who I ran into last night.”
My stomach knots. She can only mean Jami because she was at Patrick Efron’s for Christmas dinner, Jonah’s house, and Hunter’s apartment. She didn’t go anywhere else.
“I’m sure I already know.” I raise my head and release a breath. “Did you talk to him?”
“Barely. But I got to meet Lauren. That was fun.” Mel rolls her eyes.
I wasn’t expecting that. Another blade of pain unexpectedly slashes across my heart. “He was with them?”
“Her yes, but not his son. They were getting back from Christmas dinner at a friend’s house, so maybe they had someone watch him for the day.”
My heart squeezes and my stomach bottoms out.
His son .
Good God, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.
“Sounds like they had a babysitter.” I brace myself for my next question. “I shouldn’t ask, but how were they together?”
“You sure you want to know?” She takes a sip of her champagne.
“I do. If nothing else, it’ll help me see how he handles her in public.”
“Okay, but I’m only the messenger.” She pours me some more champagne. “When I walked up to the elevator area, he had her in his arms and kissed her on the top of her head.
“When he saw Jonah and me, he stepped away from her and introduced us. Don’t worry, though. I made sure he knew you spent the day with us.”
My chest hollows out. The last tiny sliver of hope I was secretly holding on to for a beautiful resolution with Jami gets hacked away.
Even if holding her was a friendly gesture, it’s clear they have a bond. I’m not sure I would be okay with that kind of affection toward her if we were together.
He held her the night I found out about her and again last night. Maybe they’re broken up parents with benefits. It’s none of my business anymore, so I brush it off.
“Well, at least he wasn’t alone.” I sip my champagne and change the subject.
We spend the next four hours of our ten-hour flight enjoying the benefits of massages, then having a lobster and steak dinner while hanging out with Hunter and Jonah after they wrapped up their business. The final six hours we sleep.
It should be one of the best nights of my life, but a part of my heart was carved out of me today when I realized that Jami and I can never be. Now, nothing but an empty, bloody hole remains. Eventually, that will heal.
As I fall asleep, a tear rolls across my cheek. I say goodbye to anything I wanted with Jami.
I deny I still love him, rip my feelings from my soul, and put them in a casket. I bury them far beneath the surface, taking a shovel and throwing dirt on the wooden box where a future with Jamison rests peacefully.
Paris has been magical. We’ve spent the last three and a half days trying to fit in all the great shopping at places like Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton and tourist attractions like The Louvre and Moulin Rouge. Watching Melanie experience it has allowed my broken heart to heal that much more.
Hunter has a lot to do with that. He and I are sharing a suite at the Four Seasons Paris, and Jonah and Melanie are in their own.
Our suite has two bedrooms, so there has been nothing other than kissing going on. He’s been respectful and makes me lead the way between us. It’s been both frustrating and appreciated.
Melanie steps into the black-tie event, wearing a metallic silver party dress Jonah bought her. “New Year’s Eve in Paris. I never would’ve thought I’d be doing this.”
I’m in a black form-fitted dress that Hunter got me and they’re wearing tuxedos. They took us to Dior and Chanel and spent a small fortune spoiling us rotten. I can only hope Jonah’s doing it because he likes her and not because of some weird agreement Hunter and he made.
I scan the ballroom as Melanie and I wait for Hunter and Jonah to check our coats and get us a drink. “If you would’ve asked me what the chances were we’d be here tonight, I would’ve said zero.”
I’m enjoying the band, which plays jazz and Frank Sinatra-type covers. Melanie gazes around our surroundings with her lips pursed, rocking from side to side .
“Are you alright, Mel?”
“Yeah. I’m just feeling a little too much like Cinderella. I’m looking for the evil stepsisters lurking around, ready to fuck up my night.”
“Melanie, don’t think like that.”
“How can I not? This isn’t exactly the type of thing I’m invited to. Look at me. I don’t fit in. The clock’s ticking. Soon, it’s going to strike midnight, and he’s going to get that.” She turns to see Jonah next to her. “Oh, shit. I didn’t know you were there.”
“Obviously.” He takes her off to the side as he dips his head to say something only she can hear.
Hunter appears before me, handing me some champagne. “Did I tell you how beautiful you are?”
I take it and clink his glass. “Yes. I think that’s the tenth time tonight.”
“Don’t get sick of hearing it because I’ll likely say it another ten times.” He glances at Melanie and Jonah. “They seem to be getting along well, don’t you think?”
“Yes.” I spend a moment taking them in. “I hope he isn’t planning on breaking her heart.”
“Why would you think that?” Hunter steps into my line of sight.
“It’s something Melanie keeps saying. I don’t think she believes this thing they’re doing will go beyond this trip.”
“From what Jonah’s said, he’s having the time of his life.”
“Yeah, but is it just fun and games?”
“I think it’s fun and games, plus a whole lot more. He likes her.”
I nod as I peek around Hunter to get another view.
He moves to block me. “Let’s give them some space to enjoy each other.”
The lights lower and the band starts playing Otis Redding and Carla Thomas’s New Year’s Resolution . Hunter takes my glass from me and places it on a table we’re next to .
“May I have this dance, beauty?”
“I’d love that.”
We step onto the dance floor, and he guides me across the room with grace. He’s an excellent dancer, gliding and twirling me around at the perfect time.
We stare into each other’s eyes as we celebrate a new year approaching. A few dances go by and Jonah takes Hunter’s place, so we switch partners.
Jonah leads me away. “You know, Dori. It’s been fun getting to know you away from work.”
“I feel the same about you.”
“That’s good because if things keep going the way they are, we’ll be spending more time together after this trip.”
“I like hearing that.” I smile and relax with his words.
We finish our dance and go to find Hunter and Melanie. Somehow, they got swallowed up in the crowd.
Jonah points to an empty high-top table. “Let’s go wait over there.”
A server notices us snagging the table and quickly comes to take a drink order. Jonah requests champagne for four and the server runs off to get them.
Jonah studies me for a minute, then sighs. “Do me a favor. If you plan on breaking Hunter’s heart, do it sooner rather than later. Preferably before you take your clause to the board.”
I blink in shock. “Where is this coming from, Jonah?”
“Hunter loves you. Every day, he falls harder for you. If you don’t intend to ride this thing through, end it so you don’t destroy him.
“Don’t drag your relationship into the boardroom and put it on display for everyone to see just so you can walk away. He’s risking too much, and I’d hate to see him humiliated on top of it.”
The sting of Jonah’s words slaps me in the face. There’s so much I want to respond to, but I start with the obvious .
“What exactly is Hunter risking? If anything, I’m the one with all the risk.”
Jonah smiles and shakes his head. “Not true, Dori. Hunter won’t tell you this, but he signed legal papers stating that if you ever get fired for breach of contract, he’ll personally pay your severance to the tune of fifty million dollars. And if you sue, he’ll pay that plus the settlement, and the business gets handed over to me.”
My heart drops. I take a step closer to Jonah. “What are you talking about?”
“When your contract goes before the board to remove your clause, Hunter will make it right by you if something goes wrong and you get fired. Whatever your price, he’ll pay. He set it all up with my dad so that you’re protected. The papers are signed and being held with our legal department.”
“But… I can’t believe it.”
“Dori, Hunter’s risking everything to be with you. So I’m asking as your friend and his brother, if you don’t want to be with him because of how you feel about Jamison, end it before the vote takes place so none of his nonsense can be acted upon.”
The air leaves my lungs. “He did that? You cannot be serious.”
“I never joke about our business or money. He’s putting everything on the line for you.”
A strike of anxiety zaps my blood.
Why would Hunter do such a thing?
“I would never sue the company, Jonah. You’ve got to know that by now.”
“Yeah, I do. But it’s interesting that’s the part you’re defending.” He raises his brow and shrugs.
The look on his face is enough to tell me he thinks I’m going to destroy Hunter. A ton of lead rests on my chest. It’s too much to take in. I can’t breathe .
“There you two are,” Hunter says as he and Melanie rejoin us.
“Will you excuse me? I need to use the restroom.” I rush away before they acknowledge me, pushing through the festive crowd.
Instead of going to the bathroom, I find an empty balcony to escape and get some air.
Hunter’s arranged it so I’m set up financially for life if I get fired.
Does he think that’s what’s going to happen?
And why does Jonah think I’ll hurt Hunter?
Maybe Melanie’s been telling him things about Jami and me. I can’t get my head around it all.
I peer out past the edge of the stoop. A twinkling Eiffel Tower shines in the distance. It’s like the scene in a fairy tale. Maybe it is.
Warm hands run up and down my bare arms. I jump and twist to see who it is.
Hunter’s leery eyes stare down at me. “Beauty, we need to talk.”