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“Oh, they’re in a meeting with a representative from the airline. He wants to get the full story of what happened before we give a quote to the press.”
“Where are they?” I repeated, my frustration clear.
“I’m sorry, sir. This meeting is happening behind closed doors. But don’t worry, if any disciplinary action needs to be taken, the airline will make sure it happens.”
“What? No. No, no, no. That’s not necessary,” I replied adamantly. “The crash wasn’t anyone’s fault.”
“I understand. You still have our most sincere apology, and I’m sure someone from the airline’s corporate office will be in contact with you to talk about compensation for what you’ve gone through.”
I waved my hand dismissively, my sole focus on seeing and talking to Rylee. “Just tell me where the meeting is happening. I’ll wait outside the doors.”
“What’s going on?” Logan asked from directly behind me.
“It’s Rylee,” I said, before remembering that they didn’t have any idea who she was. “One of the people on the island with me. I need to find her.”
Logan and Dylan exchanged a heavy look. “We really should go. I have another plane waiting to take us to New York.”
“Why? What’s the hurry?”
I didn’t like the idea of getting back on a plane so soon. The crash was still so fresh in my mind and the helicopter ride had been daunting enough. Even more than that, I didn’t like the idea of leaving while Rylee was still in her meeting. We had things to talk about and settle aboutusand I didn’t want her to think I’d ghosted her.
“It’s grandpa,” Dylan finally said. “He’s taken a turn for the worse the last couple of days. He’s bed-ridden, and the doctor says he doesn’t have much time left. He’s been asking for you.”
Fuck.That changed everything.
I didn’t even have Rylee’s phone number, and I didn’t want to leave her behind, but how could I refuse to leave with Logan and Dylan? Grandpa had brain cancer, and I’d hate myself if I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to him.
“Fine,” I said, hating how torn I felt, but in this situation, family came first. “Let’s go.”
I followed my brothers to the chartered plane, promising myself that I’d track Rylee down the first chance I got.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Rylee
It had been five days since we were rescued from the island. When I’d gotten out of the hour-long meeting with the airline representative, I’d been crushed to learn that Hayden had already hopped on another private jet to head home.
He just left without even saying goodbye.
I was back in New York by the end of that day, and I spent a couple of days hoping to hear from Hayden. I didn’t have a way to contact him, but a man with his kind of resources shouldn’t have had a problem finding me.
But he didn’t.
By now, I’d realized that he wasn’t going to and that was okay—even if his brush-off hurt. He hadn’t made me any promises, and I wasn’t naive. We came from different worlds.
He was probably back to attending his big-time business meetings and dating supermodels or whoever it was he usually spent his time with. And so what if he didn’t stick around for at least a “see you later?”
Okay,maybemy heart was a little broken. Or shattered.
But I knew I couldn’t reasonably blame him for that. I was the one that caught feelings, not him. We never even talked seriously about where things were going between us. Apparently, they weren’t going anywhere. We flirted and had sex, but that was all.
Why do I feel so devastated?
It was driving me crazy. My conflicting emotions were hard to deal with on top of the aftermath of the crash on the island. I didn’t realize how bothered I was by that until I was flying back to New York. Being on that plane was a horrible experience. I was full of nervous energy now, and my stomach clenched with fear the whole time.
I realized that I couldn’t handle being a flight attendant anymore.
So, I was finally following my dream. I was taking what Hayden had taught me about myself and applying it to my life. Being with him gave me courage that I didn’t have before. I was taking a chance, a leap of faith, and investing all of my savings into opening my photography studio. I’d already found a place and signed a lease. Now, I was in the process of getting the place ready.
