Natalia
After a couple of meetings,I am more than ready to tuck into my Kindle book on the plane. I get settled in the window seat as Anderson takes the seat next to me, and there’s some kind of strange energy in the air. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, replaying last night in my mind.
The way Anderson looked anguished in the elevator as I walked away—like what I’d said had affected him, somehow.
Hadhurthim.
As if my words had been a dagger to his heart.
And then dinner... I must say, hearing Anderson was a yogi didn’t surprise me, considering my embarrassing faux pas about the inversion. He wore that beaded bracelet every day, sitting right on top of the expensive, stainless steel watch. It was like the two personas of Anderson Møllen were right there for everyone to see, contrasting each other—the serious businessman, and the carefree yogi. The problem is, I am pretty sure I only hate one of them.
The flight attendant asks for our drink orders, and I smile when I remember the plane ride over here.
“Just water,” I answer, smiling.
Anderson’s lips twitch ever so slightly. “I’ll have a whiskey.”
I sit up. “Well, if he’s having a whiskey, I’ll have one, too.”
“You got it,” the perky attendant declares.
I lean back as she walks away. “I would say it’s early to be drinking, but it’s nearly six, so...” I look out the window at the light pink sky.
“I’m craving whiskey,” Anderson taunts, and when I look over at him, he’s watching me with dark humor. He’s in his usual suit, except right now, his sleeves are rolled up and his tie is loose, with a few buttons unbuttoned. His hair, which is longer on the top, is messy and unruly—a victim of the humidity and multiple, back-to-back meetings we crammed into the day.
“You’re welcome,” I retort, and he laughs lightly. “I’m sorry, I must be hard of hearing. Did Anderson Møllen just laugh?”
He stares ahead and smirks. “Thank you for all of your help in Maui.”
I swallow. “I want Gather to succeed just as much as you do, you know. Luca didn’t hire me because I’m his sister. He hired me because I’m qualified, and I think we all have the same goals for the business.”
Anderson stares at his tray table, a fixed look of concentration on his face. “I know.”
I smirk. “Good. Maybe now you can stop being such an asshole.”
He smiles. “I can try.”
I spend the rest of the plane ride reading, and by the time we land in Los Angeles, it’s nearly two in the morning. I pack my things, and Anderson reaches up and grabs my suitcase from the overhead compartment—which surprises me because on the ride over here, he didn’t offer to help me with anything. I text Luca as we deplane. He stayed behind in Maui with Nathan for a “mini-cation,” as he called it. He’ll be back the day after tomorrow. We walk through the airport to the exit together. I shoot a quick text to Kira letting her know that I’ll be home in about an hour, depending on how long it’ll take to hail a cab.
“Is someone picking you up?” Anderson asks as we approach the doors.
I shake my head. “No. I’m going to get a cab.”
“Stop playing games and follow me,” he commands, walking toward the carport.
I stop walking as I look around. “I can call a cab, or an Uber. It’s fine. I’m all the way in Studio City.”
He quirks his head to the side. “I didn’t take you for a valley girl.”
I frown. “Not everyone is a millionaire.” I shrug. “It’s close to Luca in Coldwater Canyon, and—”
“Why are you justifying where you live, Natalia?” His voice is stern, serious. “It’s late. I’m not a total asshole, despite what you think. Let me drive you home.”
I hesitate for a second, but I’m too tired to put up a fight. “Fine. Thank you.”
“Besides… I live in Laurel Canyon.”
I look up at him. “Really? I took you for a Marina Del Rey guy.”
