Page 60 of Fly's Path

“Like we’re ones to judge.”

Wait, did Dahlia just infer what I think she did? I know the two of them eloped, but were they…

“It’s not the same. I was always respectful of you.”

Is respectful code for they didn’t do anything fun? Because it sure sounds like it.

“Knight would never be disrespectful. He’s my friend.”If that computer-generated voice on Daria’s machine could have an affronted voice, this would be the time to use it.

“I don’t trust him, which means you aren’t going. End of discussion.”

“You—”Daria’s hand hangs in the air for a long second, like she’s having a hard time figuring out whether to jump down Maverick’s throat or scream at him. Either would be fair right about now.“You don’t trust him. The man you trusted my life toa short time ago. The man you literally trusted my life to. That’s the man you don’t trust?”

“It was only for a short time and extenuating circumstances.”

“What does time matter? If Knight needs me there for a day or a month, I’m going to be there to support him.” Daria’s nails tap on the screen, which she almost never does. “And we aren’t sharing a room. I’ll have my own the entire time. I told you we’re just friends.”

Maverick sucks in his breath through his teeth. They’re probably clenched so tight they might shatter. “That’s even worse. A single woman alone in a hotel room is a target.”

Daria shakes her head in frustration. “I won’t be alone. I’ll be with Knight.”

“You’ll be too far away. If you want to go with him, you’ve got to bring one of my guys with you for protection.”

Maverick, the scary businessman, has guys? Guys who can act as security guards.

“No. I’m not going to be walking around with one of your goons giving people angry faces everywhere I go. And none of them are sharing a hotel room with me for a month.” Daria has a point. How would that be any different than going with Knight?

“Fine, I’ll find you a female bodyguard.”

“No.” She practically slaps the keyboard. “I’m not a child, and this isn’t up for debate. This is me informing you that I will be gone for a month. Short of chaining me up and locking me in my bedroom, there is nothing that you can do to stop me.”

“That would be just fine with me,” Maverick mutters under his breath.

He wouldn’t really do that, would he?

Dahlia reaches out and places a hand on his arm. “Of course, we support any decision you make. It sounds like so much fun. Where are the tour stops?”

What would it have been like to have a family member care enough about me like that?

Too Early

Fly

Men who play games waiting to text a woman are fools. The moment my eyes opened this morning, I reached over and sent Sheri a message.

It’s been three hours, and there hasn’t been so much as a peep back from her.

Not one word.

Was it too early?

We had a late night last night, and she had a long drive home. Sheri might still be asleep.

Not everyone gets up for a morning run after a late night to clear their mind.

I pick up my phone and check even though it hasn’t made a sound. She already has her own ringtone, so I don’t miss her.

You’re being a nut. Go get some work done.