Thejettouchesdownin Boston for the final time, and my heart skips an excited little beat.I’m home. For good. The foundation is set up in Washington State, and I’ve passed along the torch to employees handpicked by yours truly.
Now I can finally get back to my perfect little bubble. I smile, glancing out the window to the black SUV waiting for me. Scotty should be driving. The second these doors open, he’ll open the door, step out, and flash me his smug little grin that always turns my stomach inside out.
And I’ll pretend that the way his brown eyes twinkle with amusement whenever I’m around don’t affect me in a way that we both know they shouldn’t.
“Are you ready, Miss Murphy?” Hugh asks. I glance toward my bodyguard, who’s unloading my carry-on from the overhead compartment.
The butterflies in my stomach turn into moths, sinking into a nauseating pit.
There’s nothing wrong with Hugh in the looks department. He’s got shaggy brown hair and brown eyes. He’s tall, built to fight, and has a rugged look about him. The crooked hump of his nose tells the story of a broken nose from one too many playground tufts as a child.
But still, I’m eager to be away from him. He made it clear he was into me, and I made it clear he needed to back off. I don’t like the advances he’s made with me, and I’m relieved to have my Scotty back.
My heart hammers, whether from the nerves of seeing Scotty, or the gut-wrenching feeling of being around Hugh, I’m not sure.
I stand, straightening out the form-fitting red dress I’m wearing, and head for the door. The flight attendant opens it, offering me a polite smile. “Lovely to fly with you today, Kiera,” I say.
“Of course, Miss Murphy. Enjoy the rest of your evening,” she says.
Steeling myself, I round my shoulders, and adjust the strap of my purse. The door of the SUV doesn’t open. My lips scrunch in confusion. Hugh helps me down the steps, his hand on the small of my back and entirely too close to my ass.
A shiver runs down my spine, and I stifle the reaction from showing. Hugh walks ahead of me, opening the back door. He tosses my luggage in and waits rather impatiently for me to climb in. Glancing in the front seat, I take in the emptiness. There’s no one. Hugh is going to be the one who takes me home. My lips form a pout, and I pull out my phone.
“Hugh, we have to go to my parents first for dinner. You can leave me there, I’ll have Haley and Callum drive me home.”
“Sure,” Hugh says, starting up the truck and driving away.
Saoirse:Where are you?
Scotty:Home. Where are you?
Saoirse:The airport. I thought you’d be picking me up now that I’m home for good.
Scotty:We’ve been through this, Saoirse. I can’t be on your detail anymore.
Saoirse:No. You decided, and I disagreed.
Scotty:Trust that I know what’s best for you.
Saoirse:So, that’s it? I’m stuck with Hugh forever?
Saoirse:He smells.
Saoirse:I think I caught him stealing cash from my wallet.
He doesn’t respond to a single of my texts after that. I sink into my seat, emotions stirring inside of me. Frustration that he can’t get over the attraction and just be there for me the way I need. Sadness that I won’t have that close friendship with him anymore. Anger because he thinks he can decide what’s best for me.
I chew on the inside of my lip, glancing out of the window. I need to get over this stupid little crush I have. Need to figure out how to not be so dependent on a man who’s friend zoned me since the second he realized I might have emotions more than I should.
The ideas churn inside my head, over and over. Shopping won’t work. I’ll be thinking of all the ways I can make him jealous with a cute little dress, or sexy stilettos, or picking out his favorite shade of lipstick that he won’t see since he refuses to even pick me up from the airport.
No, I have to tap into the spoiled girl inside of me, to know exactly how I should handle this. And just as Hugh pulls us into the home of my parents, a grin tugs at the corner of my lips with my idea.
Is it toxic?Probably. Do I give a fuck?No.
Hugh opens my back door, and helps me out of the car. I don’t waste time saying goodbye to him, and take the large steps up to the front entrance of my parents’ mansion. Callum is here, and I have a lot to discuss with him.
Rushing through the foyer, I head straight for the living area. Haley and Ma are seated together on the couch. Glancing around, I don’t see any of my brothers.
