Sheila merely nodded in such a superior way that Rita knew she wasn’t imagining her satisfied smirk of a smile. Satisfaction at her discomfort.
Currently between jobs, Rita had been trying hard to maintain a certain budget. A tight one. The loss of that kind of money had tears springing into her eyes. With shaky fingers, she reached for her credit card, which was already perilously close to the limit as she was about to spend a week in Hawaii. Most of her expenses were taken care of by the wedding party, but she’d still need money for extra meals or souvenirs. Why had she ever walked in here?
Suddenly, a wall in the form of a navy-blue silk shirt appeared in her vision. Someone had stepped between her and the employee, his back to Rita. The newcomer who’d walked in about thirty seconds ago. “Excuse me to interrupt, here. But I’d like to sponsor the young lady as my guest. Please put her breakfast charges on my account.”
What?
Great. Now she was getting pity charity from strangers who wanted to pay for her breakfast. “That won’t be necessary,” she argued to the man’s back. Lord, he was broad shouldered. She could see his toned muscles outlined under the finely tailored shirt. It was difficult to get around him to address the attendant.
“I insist,” the stranger said to her over his shoulder.
“Certainly, sir. How nice to see you again,” the attendant said to him. Rita dared a peek over his shoulder to look at her. It appeared that now Sheila was the one who looked somewhat uncomfortable, she noted with no small degree of satisfaction herself.
Still, she couldn’t have random strangers pay for her breakfast. “I said that won’t be necessary.” She tried to step around him once more.
The man actually stretched his arm out to block her!
Of all the nerve. Granted, he was trying to do something incredibly nice for her but to actually stop her from having any say in the matter was a bit much. Nice or not, he had no right. It wasn’t like she really needed his help. The amount would cause a dent in her bank account but she did have the means to pay it.
But it was too late. Sheila flashed him a bright smile, the smirk entirely gone. “I’ll take care of it right away, Mr. Fallon.”
Mr. Fallon. He turned to her as the attendant walked away. Rita blinked and did a double take as his deep brown eyes met hers. Recognition dawned with a sinking sensation as she realized exactly who he was—the dark hair, the familiar coloring and features.
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” he told her. “It’s just that I happened to have witnessed that particular employee’s pettiness before. I might have to initiate some sort of formal complaint about her with the airport actually.”
Oh, no. That wasn’t what she wanted at all. “Please don’t do that. I don’t want to think about someone losing their job because of me.”
He quirked an eyebrow in question. “No matter how badly they had it coming?”
She shook her head. “And it’s not that I feel insulted.”
“No?”
“No, not really.” She blew out a breath. “I’m just a bit embarrassed. I wish I’d never walked in here in the first place.”
His eyes narrowed on her. Rita couldn’t quite read the expression on his face. “I’m actually really glad you did.”
A small sensation tingled at the base of her spine. Was he trying to flirt with her now? Yep, definitely the most mortifying thing to ever happen to her. To make the whole thing so much worse, Clinton Fallon had no clue who she was. He didn’t even remember her.
* * *
Clint wanted to tell the young lady he could relate. It hadn’t been that long ago that people like Sheila had talked down to him in the same manner he’d just witnessed her being subjected to. Her embarrassed expression and obviously flustered state when he’d walked in had touched a nerve within him that he’d long since thought was dormant. Apparently, the universe decided he was due for a periodic reminder.
He was glad for it, as he’d just told her. He didn’t want to get too complacent or take anything for granted.
“I guess I owe you a thank-you,” she was saying.
Guessed? “Uh...you’re welcome.”
She reached for her carry-on. “I think I’ll leave.”
Clint stepped in front of her before she got far. Was she confused? He’d just taken care of the matter so that she could stay. “You no longer have to.”
Something flashed behind her eyes. It didn’t strike him as gratitude. Far from it. He had offended her. Well, what was he supposed to have done? Let her get tossed out on her behind?
“Nevertheless. I’m not sure I want to stay in here any longer.”
“You mentioned your flight was delayed. At least finish your breakfast.”
“I’m sure it’s cold now,” she muttered, then blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just—I’ve really been looking forward to this trip. And so far it hasn’t exactly started off on the most positive note.”
“I understand,” he told her, a feeling of empathy settling deep within his chest. He did understand. More than she knew.
* * *
Rita adjusted her collar and tried to quell the shaking in her stomach. Clinton Fallon was standing before her without any clue as to who she was. Apparently, she hadn’t made much of an impression on him all those years ago when she’d been at university with his sister. First, he’d witnessed her abject humiliation by the suite attendant. And now she was going to have to find a way to introduce herself.
Or reintroduce herself as the case may be. By contrast, she couldn’t count the number of times she’d thought about him over the years. As if she hadn’t felt silly enough about that small fact until this encounter.
She was trying to figure out a way to tell him exactly who she was when he extended his hand. “I’m Clinton—”
“I know who you are,” she blurted out without really thinking.
He blinked. “You do?”
A small lump of disappointment settled in her gut. He really had no inkling, no recollection whatsoever. Why was she surprised? Or even disappointed? People like him didn’t take much note of ladies like her.
And exactly what kind of lady was she now? How would she begin to describe herself? Perhaps she could use the term recent divorcée. Or unemployed veterinarian. Or failed daughter. Unfortunately, any one of those could apply.
“Here. Let’s give this a try.” She removed a hair band from her wrist and quickly tied her thick dark hair in a loose ponytail. Then she removed a pair of thick glasses from her pocket and perched them on her nose.
Clint’s only response was a completely blank look. Still nothing.
Rita sighed. Now she was just humiliating herself even more. He had no idea who she was. How often had she thought about him over the years? How often had she wondered where he was and what he was doing?
While he hadn’t even given her a second thought, it seemed.
“I went to school with Lizzie,” she told him. “You and I met in passing a few times at various school-sponsored family events.” She extended her hand. “Rita Paul. I’m actually on my way to your sister’s wedding myself.”
His smile grew wide as he took it. “I’m sorry. I’m just so bad with faces.”
“No need to apologize.” Though she did appreciate the effort. An awkward moment passed as they limply shook hands. As if neither could decide who should let go first. Why was she behaving so loopily around this man? Finally, Rita pulled out of his grasp.
“It should have occurred to me that at least one or two of Lizzie’s friends would be on this flight,” Clint continued. “I’m not used to flying with the airlines. My private aircraft is undergoing some repairs.”
“Did you really just say that your jet is in the shop?”
He gave her an embarrassed smile. “I guess I did.”
He’d certainly come far
. Though again, she wasn’t surprised. The man she’d met all those years ago was clearly driven and talented. “You were just starting out in the construction business back when Lizzie and I were in school.”
He nodded. “That’s correct.”
“You’ve just acquired a company, I believe.”
“Correct again. The man I worked for was ready to retire. Said he trusted me more than anyone else to take over. Gave me quite a deal when he sold me the business.”
“A deal you clearly made the most of then took to new astronomical heights.”
He studied her. “I guess you could say that. Along with some well-placed investments, things have gone pretty well.”
What an understatement. The man owned a private jet. She knew he’d single-handedly put his sister through school. No doubt, he was the one paying for this lavish destination wedding.
Clint Fallon represented the epitome of a self-made success story. She’d followed his life for a while in the local papers and news sites after graduating from school. Everyone was fascinated by a self-made man. But then her own life had gone completely awry. Unlike Clint and his string of successes, she’d only managed to accumulate one failure after another. Though heaven knew he’d been handed a much worse set of circumstances.
Well, this was her chance to get away from all that and try to forget. For the next few days anyway. This trip was all about Lizzie and her future husband and the love they shared.
She was trying to come up with a response when the airline announced they were finally boarding. “I should head out to the lobby,” she told him. “I’m seated toward the back. I’ll be one of the first they call.”
But he reached for her arm to stop her from leaving. “Wait. I happen to know the seat next to me is free.”
“But I thought this was a full flight. They were asking for volunteers to give up their spots.”
“Fairly recent development. I didn’t get a chance to update the airline. I was supposed to be, ah...traveling with someone. Their plans fell through at the last minute.”
Understanding dawned. Pictures of Clint always showed him with a female companion. Always someone very glamorous and beautiful. None seemed to last for more than a few news cycles. The timing of his latest breakup appeared fairly inconvenient. He was going stag to his own sister’s wedding.
“You can sit with me up in first class.”
She had to decline. He’d already done more than enough by paying for her breakfast and vouching for her to stay in the lounge. “I appreciate that. But it’s not necessary.”
He blinked at her. “I could use the company,” he countered, then pulled his phone out of his pocket. “It’ll just take me a second.”
Before she knew what he was up to, he was quickly on the phone with the airlines. Clearly, he had some kind of executive direct line that reached an employee right away.
Clint wasn’t terribly good at reading her frustrated vibe.
He was already ending the call before she could protest any further. “You’re all set. We can board together.”
Rita clamped down on her annoyance. If she said anything further she would merely sound petulant and ungrateful. Never mind that she was trying to feel more in charge of herself, more in control of her life. This flight had literally been the first travel ticket she’d purchased for herself, paid for completely on her own. And Clint Fallon had just given it away and upgraded her to first class.
She knew it was illogical of her to be angry or to feel slighted. Clint had no idea of her circumstances. Or the silly symbolic meaning she’d put behind the whole trip.
Rita herself had only actually just now realized how much it meant to her.
* * *
It appeared Rita had not taken him seriously when he’d said he could use some company on the flight. Despite sitting right next to him, she’d barely spoken two words. The complete opposite of what he knew would have happened with Maxie. She would have no doubt talked his ear off about everything from her latest gig to the spa treatment she’d been scheduled for.
Something between the two extremes would have been nice.
He should have taken the opportunity to get some work done. But he’d found himself distracted by the delicate rose scent of her perfume. Her jet-black hair brushed against his shoulder when she shifted in her seat and he’d had to resist the urge to ask her if he could run his fingers through the thick silky strands.
How uncharacteristic of him.
Now, several hours later, she was just as quiet. They were finally approaching the Grande Maui resort in Kaanapali. And he was experiencing yet another silent ride. The woman had no interest in speaking to him.
The vehicle finally came to a stop and they both exited, then waited as the young driver pulled their bags out of the rear trunk.
He heard Lizzie’s excited voice from behind before he could even reach for his luggage.
“You’re here!” his sister shouted, her voice breathy with excitement. He found himself bear-hugged in her skinny arms a short second later. She noticed Rita standing next to them when she finally let go. “You’re here too.” Lizzie glanced at the town car. “You two came together?”
She didn’t wait for an answer as she took Rita in her arms next. Clint watched as the two women also embraced, Rita’s dark hair and olive skin a complete contrast to his sister’s red coloring and fair complexion. There was true affection in their tight hug.
“I ran into Rita at the airport,” he answered his sister over their heads.
“Oh, how fortunate,” Lizzie exclaimed as they finally pulled apart.
“Yes. Very lucky for me,” Rita began. “He paid for my breakfast, saved me from a very embarrassing situation at the executive lounge, then upgraded me to first class.”
If she actually felt lucky about any of that, her tone distinctly said otherwise. Was she mad at him? Whatever for? The thought tugged at him. Usually, the women in his life made it more than clear whatever his transgressions against them might be. Maybe he was interpreting her tiredness after a long flight for sarcasm. Or perhaps he was hearing things; the large gushing stone fountain behind them was pretty loud after all.
“You’ll both have to tell me exactly how you ran into each other,” Lizzie said and peeked inside the still-waiting car. “But where’s Maxie?”
Both ladies turned to him, awaiting his answer. He bit back a curse. This wasn’t something he wanted to get into in front of Rita Paul. Though he’d be hard-pressed to say why that was so.
“Change of plans. I’ll be unaccompanied on this trip,” he told his sister, hoping beyond any real expectation that she’d let the matter drop.
She didn’t. Lizzie’s eyes grew wide and a huge grin spread across her lips. “I heard nothing of this change.”
“Things didn’t work out.” And that’s all he wanted to say on the matter.
His sister’s smile grew wider. “You don’t say!”
She’d never really taken to Maxie. Not that there’d been anyone he’d been with so far that she’d approved of. His sister kept telling him the women he dated were far too shallow.
Little did Lizzie know, at this point in his life, he wanted shallow. Particularly now, when he was no longer solely responsible for his sister.
Rita glanced from one of them to the other. Suddenly, Lizzie clamped a hand over her mouth; the smile completely disintegrated. “Oh, Rita, I don’t mean to be insensitive. I’m so sorry things didn’t work out between you and Jay.”
A flash of regret seemed to pass through Rita’s eyes, but it was gone in an instant. “It wasn’t meant to be. Let’s just focus on celebrating you and Jonathon.”
“I missed you.” The two women linked arms, then slowly started to walk toward the front desk. Clint hovered behind, tipping the bell steward who loaded their luggage onto a cart. His gaze remained on Rit
a as she walked away. He didn’t know the woman from a passing acquaintance but he felt... He couldn’t even describe what he felt.
He’d met her years ago and had somehow forgotten her. Which seemed unbelievable given his reaction to her now.
She was one of his sister’s close friends. A bridesmaid in her wedding. Based on their conversation just now, she’d clearly just come out of what sounded like a serious relationship.
The last thing he wanted was any kind of meaningful relationship himself. Not for several years. He’d done all he could for his sister. She was a grown, educated, about-to-be-married woman. He intended this next period of his life to be all about his growing business and doing all the things he hadn’t been able to do after he and Lizzie had been orphaned when he was merely sixteen. His sister had only been fourteen.
Lizzie turned and gave him a questioning look. He read it as “Hurry up, already.” For the younger sibling, she could certainly be quite bossy, Clint thought as he strolled to where they now stood by the check-in desk.
“This is the man whose credit card is covering all these charges,” Lizzie told the desk clerk as she pointed at him. “Including the expanded catering menu we discussed earlier.”
The gentleman handed him a key card. “Mr. Fallon. Welcome. Your suite is ready and waiting for you. You’ll find a chilled bottle of champagne and a basket of fruit.”
Lizzie clapped her hands and turned to him. “Excellent, Rita and I will be snagging that champagne from you, big brother.”
“Is that so? And why should I relinquish it to you two?”
Lizzie huffed with impatience, as if the answer should be obvious. “Because us girls are celebrating. More than just my upcoming nuptials.”
“Fine. Consider it yours.” He knew he could be too indulgent with her sometimes. But this was her wedding. “What else will you two be celebrating then?”
She draped her arm around Rita’s shoulders. “We are also celebrating this young lady’s newly found freedom.”
Rita’s eyes flickered downward. She looked far from celebratory at the moment.
Best Man and the Runaway Bride Page 17