But the closer I get to the plane, the heavier my chest feels. The memory of being trapped in the sky for sixteen hours rushes back.
By the time I reach my seat in the back, my palms have gone clammy as I grip the armrests, legs locking in place, unable to move.
You got this. Just breathe.
“Ms. Jones.”
The sound of his deep voice rolls over me.
Slowly, I turn. Worth is watching me with soft eyes.
“Yes, Mr. Miller?” I manage, though my voice wobbles.
“Please sit next to me on the flight. I need to go over the final drawings for the Singapore project.”
I blink. He’s giving me an excuse. A shield. And he’s dressing it up as work so no one else will question it.
My heart squeezes so tight I almost forget how to breathe.
I grab my stuff and sit next to Worth.
The sixteen hoursback feel shorter this time. Maybe because I kept my eyes glued to the window. Maybe because I slept in uneven stretches, conscious of the man sitting beside me. After going over the drawings for the project, we barely exchanged words, but he stayed lodged under my skin.
When the plane touches down in Seattle, relief floods me. I’m bone-tired, but grateful to breathe familiar air again. The others gather their things and we file down the steps.
“Great trip, guys,” Ethan says, giving me a little wave before jogging towards the rideshare queue. Seraya hugs me quickly, promising to catch up on Monday. Everyone disperses, dragging their suitcases behind them, until the only ones left are Worth and me.
Tiana is waiting at the curb, sunglasses perched on her head like a crown. The second she spots me, she waves both arms, grinning. Then her eyes shift and land on my boss.
Her smile drops and she actually gawks at him. “Oh. My. God.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, but I catch it all the same when I reach her.
I want to sink into the pavement. “TJ,” I hiss under my breath. “Stop staring.”
But she doesn’t. Her gaze tracks Worth like he’s walking straight out of a billionaire bachelor magazine spread, because—well, he kind of is.
Worth offers her a polite nod, then winks at me before heading off.
Tiana blinks three times fast, then leans towards me. “That’s your boss? That’syourWorth Miller? He’s even hotter in person.”
Heat prickles across my cheeks. “Get in the car.”
She smirks, and I roll my eyes at her, shoving my bag into the trunk before she can embarrass me further.
Tiana sneaks another glance at him in the rearview mirror as we drive off. “Tell me everything.”
I sigh, leaning my head against the cool window. “There’s not much to tell. It was work. Meetings, site visits, more meetings, and…” I pick at a loose thread on my sleeve, then just rip the Band-Aid. “I took your advice.”
“Which advice? The ‘say yes to the hot billionaire’s insane plan’ advice?”
I swallow. “Yes.”
Tiana slams a palm against the steering wheel, letting out a victory gasp. “MJ! You actually did it.”
“Don’t make it a thing,” I warn, though I can’t stop the tiny smile pulling at my mouth. “The terms are clear. We set boundaries—and it’s only temporary.”
“Uh huh. Temporary with a man who looks likethat.” She wiggles her brows.
“I’m serious, TJ.” I lace my fingers together to still them. “This is mutually beneficial. It’s not?—”