at the time-7:30 AM. Her flight was at 12:45. Panic surged through her as she nearly flew

k. "Are you ready to go?" he asked casually. "Mother made coffee for you; it'

in confusion. "What t

and glanced at h

t flight!" Meryl exclaimed,

looking for?

he replied, tur

ning against the doorway. "I put them in s

aked her fingers through her thick, shoulder-length h

ding there, phone raised. A fa

re you taking p

ughed lik

emanded, narr

nside out, Miss

d. Sure enough, she'd worn i

their mother knocked and said,

-

en muffin rested on a saucer in front of him. Meryl paused at the doorway, watching as he absent

eted, making Al

a rush, so I just wanted to give you this." He opened his palm to

ing him to slip the bracelet onto her wrist. Then, without thi

en he finally broke away, he whispered into her ear

ed, her th

, and she slid in beside her mother. Miss Giovanni smiled at Alex

d, giving Alex a fist bump befor

xcitement, she wasn't sure. She fingered the smooth stone of the br

-

to help unload the luggage. Their mother stretched and s

his head. "

eeling jittery

gage when an unfamiliar voice call

he wore an elegant midi dress with a cinched waist that accentuated her collarbones. The straight-cut skirt stopped just below her knees, ex

. "You're parked in a reserved spot." Her voice

"This is the eco

ng under her breath-someth

en exchanged p

ed by security that there were reserved spaces in the economy sec

Then, as if Meryl weren't worth her time, she simply said, "Ge

l in midair. Steven sighed and muttered, "I'll go repa

e woman's red-soled Louboutins cli

-

distinguished man with salt-and-pepper hair. He had a deep,

e tapping her mother'

smile. "Meryl, meet Mr. Murphy.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Murp

ed her mother a business card. Its navy blue and gold

l me?" Mr.

a gentle squeeze before walking away. His colog

ven?" Miss G

e car," Meryl said

ated. But before Meryl could ask,

ma

touching his muscular arm lightly. But i

eyes

assed before Steven's voice

going to miss

'd run his fingers through it too many times. His skin was fair and smooth, his jawline sharp, his high cheekbones

eless vest over baggy dress pants. His style was effortless

aw it-he had pulled out a leather-boun

s a celebrity,"

arely h

ad a feeling this wouldn't be