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The meeting goes smoothly enough, despite my preoccupied thoughts. The opposing counsel is a feisty woman, sharp as a tack and with a memory to match. She keeps me on my toes, every question drowning out the thoughts of Hawaii. By the time we are finished, I am mentally drained but satisfied.
I give Harper a tight smile as I walk past her desk back to my office, where the first thing I do is fling off my blazer. My white blouse is sticking to my back, and I long for the sunshine and tropical breezes Jeff mentioned. Shaking off the thought, I get out the manila folder containing information on the new potential client. There is very little information to find. I don’t even have a name. I’m supposed to meet the guy at a hotel. Apparently, he knows me and will seek me out. I would love to be prepared, but I just don’t know what to prepare for.
While I work, I can't help but let my mind drift to the trip. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to take that new bikini I bought last year and never actually wore. Even an hour on the beach would be an absolute delight. I could take a case file to read. Then it wouldn’t be totally indulgent.
Chapter 2
Travis
The soft hum of the air conditioner fills the silence of my spacious living room as I recline on my leather couch, flipping through the pages of a flight magazine. It's a rare moment of peace in the chaotic world I've found myself residing in. When I had the downtime, I took it. I know how short life can be. I want to enjoy the quiet moments.
I just got back from a cross-country flight. Before that, I was running a bunch of tech CEOs from Seattle to LA and then out to Miami. I was burnt out and looking forward to keeping my feet on the ground for a few days. I loved flying, but sometimes, a guy just needed to chill. I was the guy. I planned a couple of days of movies, fast food, and nothing else.
The weather was trash, so going out and doing much of anything wasn’t really in the cards. I toss the magazine to the side and get my butt up from the couch. I’m hungry. I’m halfway through making the biggest hoagie a man has ever seen when my phone vibrates on the counter.
“No. No, no, no.”
The only reason the phone would be ringing is if someone needed a pilot. But I wasn’t exactly rolling in dough. I had a very, very expensive jet I was paying for. I couldn’t just not work. With a sigh, I reach for it, already anticipating another last-minute request from a client with more money than sense.
"Hello?" I answer, expecting the familiar voice of my scheduling agent on the other end.
"Travis, it's Kate from the agency," comes the brisk voice of my scheduler. "I've got an emergency request for a flight tomorrow morning. Can you manage it?"
I run a hand through my hair, already mentally rearranging my plans for the day. "Where to?"
"Hawaii," Kate replies, her tone tinged with urgency. "They need to be there ASAP. I told them I was sure you would be willing."
Hawaii. The word conjures images of pristine beaches and swaying palm trees—a welcome escape from the concrete jungle of Seattle. And no rain. Or at least, less rain and more sun. "I'll take it."
“Perfect.”
“Is this a turn and burn or is a one-way?”
“They are anticipating three days. I explained they would be paying for your room and per diem for every day you were on standby.”
“You know I love you, Kate.”
She laughs softly. “You keep saying that and I might just have to tell my husband.”
“You can tell them I’ll do the job, but I can’t have the jet sitting idle for any more than three days,” I tell her. “If they aren’t ready to fly out, the jet leaves without them. I’ll have you put me on available status.”
“Will do hot stuff.”
“You’re playing with fire, Kate.”
“Hey, who do you want me to call for an attendant?” she asks.
I think about it. A three-day layover is the perfect opportunity to spend a little ‘quality’ time with one of the beautiful ladies that regularly flies with me. “How about Morgan?”
“She’s on her way to New York as we speak,” she replies. “Next.”
Morgan was my first choice. “Jennifer.”
“I’ll call her.”
“Thanks, Kate.”
I hang up and dial the number for the maintenance crew at the hangar. "Hey, it's Travis. I need the jet prepped for a flight tomorrow morning. Can you oversee it?"
