“Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I rather think that I like you. I hope you find love, for what it’s worth.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I suppose I’ll head back to Kansas, but I don’t know how I’ll possibly go back to teaching when my name has been all over the television. I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been.”
“Why don’t I send you on a vacation for the rest of the summer? It’ll put some distance between you and the…event, and help you destress. You deserve as much.”
“Vacation?”
“Your life is going to be in upheaval. Consider it the quiet before the storm.”
“I don’t know.”
“While you’re away, I’ll make some calls. I’ll have the story buried. We can make it look like it was all a joke.”
“I bet you’d like that,” I say.
“Believe it or not, I rather don’t. As much as I’d love to hate you, I can’t.”
Her phone vibrates, and she furrows her brow. “Let me go take this.”
I contemplate her offer. Going away for the rest of summer might be exactly what I need. It will allow the headlines to die down, and when I come back, it will be ‘old news.’ Sure, there will be questions, but she’s right. The more distance I put between myself and the spur-of-the-moment wedding, the easier this will be when I return.
Irene comes back, a Cheshire grin on her face. “I think I have someplace nice in mind.”
Chapter 8
Natasha
I’ve never been on a private jet before, so I don’t know proper etiquette. Irene’s hired a crew of six people to pamper me, but massages and getting my toenails painted fail to really take me from my misery.
I wish I could have just one more minute with Roderick so I could tell him everything. How I feel about him, and that I don’t blame him for not returning my affections. He never lied to me or led me on. If anything, I lied to myself.
I texted my parents, telling them that I’m okay, but I immediately shut my phone off afterward, not wanting to have to discuss the chaos I’ve invited into my life.
The captain comes over the intercom, advising that we’re coming in for a landing.
I’d love to look out the window at the Caribbean isles Irene promised she’d send me too, but a man named Javier is working a knot in my back, and I don’t want to appear rude.
The plane touches down, and I get ready to exit. I go to grab my bags, but an attendant swipes them from me, ushering me to the door.
I have to admit, it’s good flying private.
The door opens, and as I descend, the first thing I see is the sign for the Kansas Airport.
What the hell is going on?
My parents are running toward the plane, relieved looks on their faces.
That bitch didn’t want to give me a vacation. She wanted to send me back home!
As irritated as I am, I can hardly fault her. Besides, this is probably for the best. I have to go on with my life eventually.
But my parents aren’t the only ones that are there. My friends are standing off in the distance, a mob of them holding signs.
I guess they’re all curious about my whirlwind romance.
