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“I’ve missed you, Maya. What if we go away together? As a family. You, me, and Eli? We can go back to my cabin for the long weekend coming up. I’m sure Eli would love it up there.”
Maya’s eyes darkened at the mention of my cabin. Maybe she was remembering our time spent there in as much vivid detail as I was remembering.
Great, there went my attempt to get my body under control.
“I’d love that,” she finally said, a little breathlessly. “And I know Eli would love that.”
“Perfect. Then it’s a plan.”
I took her hand and softly kissed her knuckles, feeling a sense of anticipation, excitement, and happiness for what was to come.
For the rest of the night, we acted like nothing had happened. But there was a new energy between us, a giddy feeling that we couldn't shake.
As we said our goodbyes and headed out into the cool night air, I couldn't stop smiling. Maya and I had agreed to try to salvage our relationship, and I felt like we were finally on the right track.
I knew that there would be bumps along the way, but I was ready to face them with Maya by my side. And as I drove them both home, with Eli sleeping soundly in the backseat, I couldn't help but feel like we were on the brink of something amazing.
Chapter 22
Maya
Itwasn’tuntilwewere sitting on the tarmac of the small metropolitan airport in a private plane that I realized Jack Monroe lived a very different life now. This washisprivate plane.Oneof his private planes. This was the smaller one, he explained, that he used for regional trips, like to his cabin. His company had a larger plane that flew in and out of Denver International Airport.
What the fuck? Who had two planes?
It had been easy to dismiss Jack’s wealth and success because most of the time he just seemed like…well, he seemed like Jack. Sure, his clothes were always new-looking and well-tailored. I was sure they were much more expensive than I assumed. And he drove a nice SUV, but he also biked around the city a lot. Maybe the fact that he had a driver was another thing that should have twigged me onto this "different life". His house was big and in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Denver, but I figured he liked the proximity to his office.
But now we were sitting ononeof his private planes.
The cabin was spacious. We were sitting in an area that was set up like a restaurant table between two booths. But, in this case, the booth was two individual first class airline chairs sitting across from two others. There was a lot of space for the staff to move around as well as a couch and TV on the far end of the cabin. Eli was bouncing in the seat next to me and across the table, Jack gave me a sheepish smile, clearly seeing that I was just registering his new tax status.
He reached across the table and gave my hand a squeeze, which brought me back to reality…just a bit.
Then we took off, and I had another realization: small planes were fucking terrifying. Thankfully, the flight was short, and we were landing at the Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport in no time.
Jack had arranged a car to pick us up and we were quickly off to the cabin to enjoy a couple of days of downtime and quality time as a family.
We got started immediately, setting off for a hike as soon as we dropped off our bags.
Eli kept trying to run up ahead of us on the trail, but Jack kept pulling him back to stay with us, reminding him that the bears were coming out of hibernation now. That definitely had me looking around a bit more carefully.
The weather was cooler than in Denver but also fresher with some snow still on the ground.
I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. Here we were, almost a family, together and happy, enjoying a weekend trip. It was everything I had wanted for so long.
When we got back to the cabin, we made an easy dinner and Jack tried to teach Eli how to play cribbage until he gave up and we watched a movie. Eli snuggled between me and Jack on the large, comfortable sofa and my heart twisted hard at this perfect feeling.
Jack looked at me over the top of Eli’s head and smiled. And I was completely lost.
Admittedly a little disappointed with the sleeping arrangements–all of us in separate rooms–I was also grateful for the moment to be alone and process the day. I tried to think, but my brain wouldn’t stick to any one thought for too long. I just kept seeing Jack’s smile over and over again until I fell into a blissful, deep sleep.
“The men made breakfast,” Jack announced loudly in a fake-deep booming voice as he and Eli marched into my room, presenting me with a tray of eggs and toast. Eli was in a fit of giggles next to him.
“I made the toast all by myself, Mama!”
“Oh, boy. This is amazing.” Jack started to settle the tray on the bed.
“How about I come out there with you two instead?” I lifted the tray, and we shuffled out to the dining room where plates for Jack and Eli waited.
