Made for Me

by Weston Parker

  “Okay, thank you.” I got up from my desk as he walked out, and when he walked down the opposite end of the hall to his office, I stepped out and walked across to Cole’s door. I gave it a knock and waited to hear his voice.

  “Come in,” he said, his voice muffled by the door.

  I took a deep breath and turned the knob. Once I had the door open and shut behind me, I looked up at him from across the room.

  He didn’t seem bothered by me in the least. He had no reaction at all. It was never anything to him. Nothing more than sex and a little fun. Just the way we’d arranged it to be.

  “Please, have a seat.” He gestured to the chair and then waited until I’d eased down into it to return to his own. “It’s good to see you.”

  “Likewise,” I said, keeping my tone professional and trying awfully hard not to squeak out the words or sound like a lovesick ninny. I’d asked for him to not be around, and he’d respected it, and there was nothing else I could do about it. It had been two weeks, and it was clear it had been easy for him to move on.

  He leaned forward and rested his hand on his desk. “I’m sorry I haven’t seen you around, but I’ve been trying to keep busy. So much to do, you know? I did get a peek at my reports and saw that revenue has increased considerably lately, and I have a feeling that’s all because of you.”

  I felt a little disappointed that he had called me in strictly on business, but it appeared that way. He didn’t even look at me the same as before. Or maybe that was my own self-conscious perceptions interfering with my good sense. “Well, I’m glad to hear that things are working out, and glad to be of service to your company.”

  He smiled and took a deep breath as if he had much more to say. Then he bit his bottom lip. After a moment, he found his words. “Tanner and I are flying out tomorrow on a business trip to Ohio State University, and I remembered a promise I made to you.”

  For a moment, I thought he was going to ask me to go on the trip with him, to get me alone in the plane’s private bedroom like before, but then he clarified. “I know Cam had never been on a plane, and well, I thought that if the two of you would like to join us, I could make good on the promise I’d made to remedy that.”

  I’d forgotten all about the offer to take Cam flying and really hated to deprive him of the opportunity. Especially when Cole was being so generous. “I’ll talk to him, but I’m sure that he’d love it.”

  “Good. If for some reason you can’t make it tomorrow, just let me know, and maybe we can arrange something another time. I just thought this way, it wouldn’t be too intimate, and while Tanner and I are at our meetings, you and your son could see what Columbus has to offer. There are several attractions.”

  I’d have to look up a list of things before I talked to Cam and let him choose what he wanted to do. “I’m sure we can find something, thank you. He will be excited to miss a Friday at school.”

  “Good.” He gave a polite smile that faded, and then there was a moment of awkward silence between us.

  “I’m glad the site is working out,” I said. It was a comfort knowing that there would be no reason to let me go anytime soon. I loved my job, and I loved being able to work steadily for a good living. I didn’t miss the wedding scene, and since I’d wrapped up the last two weddings I’d had booked for a while, I was glad to have more time with Cam.

  “Yes, it really is. You’re doing great.”

  “There’s been a lot of traffic to the site.” I felt the burning in my heart as we made small talk. What had I done? If only I hadn’t gotten so weirded out, then things wouldn’t have to be so awkward between us.

  “Yes, that’s what Tanner was telling me. That traffic must have picked up.”

  I noticed his eyes lingering on me, and I put my hand to my chest and played with the silk of my shirt, pinching it together. “If that’s all you needed, I’d like to go and make plans for tomorrow. It’s nearly time to get Cam from school.” I hated to seem like I was rushing off.

  He got to his feet as I stood. “Certainly. I’ll see you here at seven in the morning. We leave early, and it will be just under a two-hour flight, so you might want to pack him a movie for the plane.”

  “Thank you.” I turned and headed out, and even though I told myself I wasn’t going to look back, I couldn’t help peeking over my shoulder at him. His eyes darted from my ass to meet mine. The longing look was unmistakable.

  I hurried to my office and shut the door behind me. Then I went around my desk and grabbed my purse. I had been leaving at two-thirty every day, per my schedule, and I had ten minutes to spare. I plopped down in my chair, took out my phone, and dialed Leslie.

  She answered with a peppy tone. “Don’t tell me you broke out of there early.”

  She had told me how jealous she was that I got to get off early, so I tried not to rub it in. “I have ten minutes before I have to leave and get Cam, but I needed to talk to you.”

  “Go ahead. I’ve got no clients, and I don’t get to leave today until four.”

  I knew that no matter what I said, she was about to say a big fat I told you so. “Cole called me into his office and asked me and Cam to go on a trip with him and his partner. They are flying out at seven in the morning, and he wanted to give Cam the chance to go up in a plane. It was something he’d promised me weeks ago.”

  “A day off with your son and a free trip? Where are you going?”

  “Columbus, Ohio. They have to go to Ohio State for business, but Cam and I would have all day to go see the sights.”

  “Sounds like a no-brainer to me, girl. You’ve wanted to go on a vacation, and this is your chance. Take it.”

  I got up, opened the door, and turned off the lights. I still had five minutes, but by the time I made it down to Becky’s office where I had to punch in and out, I’d be right on time. “That’s not really what I wanted to ask.” I peeked over my shoulder and pushed the elevator button.

  “Let me guess. You like him, and you want to know if you made a huge mistake by not letting him into your life? The answer is yes, you made a terrible mistake.”

  As the elevator door opened, I stepped inside, and when the doors shut, I let out a breath of frustration. “I know. I really did, didn’t I?”

  “He asked you to stay the night, he found your dog, and then you pretty much told him to get lost.” The way she said it made it sound so brutal. “What if he’s supposed to be the next man in your life? If he gives you another chance, girl, you better take it. This trip? It’s a sign that he still wants you.”

  “I don’t know. He didn’t seem too eager to talk to me. He didn’t have much to say.” I wasn’t sure if that had been because he did like me or because he hoped I wouldn’t take the trip the wrong way or make the invitation into more than it was. Which I was kind of doing. I stepped off the elevator and headed down to Becky’s office.

  “You told him to get lost. It’s bound to be awkward.” She paused. “Shit, I gotta go. Call me later.” She hung up the call, and I hurried to punch out and leave before Becky wanted to make small talk. She was a nice enough girl, but I had always felt like she only spoke to me to try and fish for dirt.

  I managed to escape and headed out for my car. Once on the road, I turned on some music, but even that didn’t help me escape the thoughts going through my mind. I was going to go on this trip, and hopefully, Cole and I might get a chance to talk. Even if we remained what we were before, it was better to have him as part of my life than not at all.

  I pulled into Cam’s school, and his teacher got him and was waiting when I drove up. As he got into the car and buckled up, he showed me his new painting.

  “Look, Mama. It’s an airplane.” He handed it to me, and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Who’s that in the front?”

  He smiled and looked down at his picture as the teacher shut the door, and when I drove away, he looked up at me. “It’s a cockpit. That’s what they call it. And that’s me.”

  “You�
�re going to fly a plane?”

  “Yes. One day.”

  “Well, what if I told you that I’m taking you up on a plane tomorrow?”

  He gave me a sideward look like he wasn’t buying it. “You’re kidding with me; I have school tomorrow.”

  “Nope, I’m giving you the day off, and we’re going up in a plane to fly to Columbus, Ohio.”

  “Really?” he asked, still not sure whether to believe me.

  “Yes, you remember my boss?” I asked and then waited until he gave me a nod. “Well, he’s invited us up on his plane.”

  “Awesome! I can’t wait to tell the kids at school. They said I’d never get to go in a plane, and I said yes I would.” He hugged his little picture close and squealed with delight.

  If things with Cole didn’t work out, at least he’d made my little boy happy.

  Chapter 23

  Cole

  Tanner paced the tarmac. His mood was shit because he had to wait on Jessica and Cam. He hadn’t wanted them to come along in the first place, but it wasn’t up to him. He had the big idea that we’d hit a few bars before returning home and hopefully snag some hot young ladies to bring back with us.

  I hadn’t had any interest in anyone else since I’d met Jessica, and even though he’d already dragged me out with him to one bar, I didn’t see anyone there that I could ever like more. That person didn’t exist.

  “Why didn’t you tell her six-thirty like you told me?” he asked.

  I let out a deep sigh. We weren’t even off the ground, and he was already getting on my nerves. “Because usually when I tell you to be here at seven, you don’t get here until much later.”

  He stopped and gave me a pointed look. “Lucky me, I was actually on time.”

  “You were not,” I said. “You were ten minutes late.” He had only proven my point. “There’s still fifteen minutes to spare. Would you relax?”

  About that time, I heard footsteps, and sure enough, when I looked across the hangar, Jessica and Cam were walking hand in hand to join us.

  Cam had a big smile on his face. “Hi, Mr. Saunders!” He let go of Jessica’s hand and ran over to shake mine. “Thanks for letting me fly on your plane.”

  The little boy was a mess of brown curls under his Red Sox cap, and his eyes were so blue, he could have been my very own child. “You’re welcome. I see you wore your lucky hat. Tanner here is a huge Red Sox fan.” I looked up to Tanner, who forced a smile.

  “Yes, great team.” He didn’t sound too enthused. “Cole, don’t you think it’s time we board?” He looked at his watch and then forced a smile at Jessica.

  “I hope we haven’t held you up,” she said. “I tried to get ahead of traffic, but that’s damned near impossible on the route from home.”

  “No, you’re early actually. So why don’t I take Cam in and show him the plane, since we have a little time to spare?” I wasn’t going to let Tanner rush me, and he let out a sigh and knew it was in his best interest not to say a word. He might be awful in his terrible mood, but I was much worse in mine.

  “Are you piloting the plane this time?” asked Jessica.

  “No, I have too much work to do in the air, but I keep a pilot on standby. He’s already in the plane, and all I have to do is let him know when we’re ready. Is there anything you’d like to do before we leave? Run by your office for anything?”

  “No, I have my cameras. Personal and business.” She patted a large black case.

  I felt a little hand grab my own and looked down to see Cam move closer. He reached over and grabbed his mother’s hand and started forward for the plane. “Can I meet the pilot now?”

  “Yes, you most certainly can. His name is Franklin, and he has a son about your age. And I happen to know that he loves the Red Sox, too.” I took a moment to look over his head to his mother, who seemed content to let her son lead the conversation. She was doing a good job of not being the overprotective mother she’d been in the past.

  Tanner went on ahead and boarded the plane, and by the time I got inside, he had already found his way to the sofa and opened the minibar.

  “Wow!” said Cam. “I could live in here!” He ran over to the door that led to the bedroom and turned and darted for the bathroom on the other side. “There’s a real shower!”

  “Yes, this is a private jet, so it’s very accommodating compared to the planes I make. Mine are more to get a few people from point A to point B, but this one is designed for comfort to take long trips.”

  “Are we taking a long trip?” He turned and looked at his mother. “Mama said we’re going to Columbus, but I don’t know where that is.”

  “Columbus is in Ohio, and we won’t be too long,” said his mother. “We’ll be back home later tonight.”

  “Did you find some activities?” I asked her directly. She looked up at me and smiled as she gave a nod.

  “Yes, finally. I spent a little time online looking, but I think he’ll enjoy the zoo and botanical gardens, and I hope to be able to take a lot of photographs while we’re there.”

  “Good choice,” said Tanner. “I’m sure you can’t wait to get there.” He was as subtle as a slap to the face, and Jessica turned and narrowed her eyes in his direction.

  I turned and gave him a look that let him know I was more than sick of his attitude. He had been butthurt since I told him I’d invited Jessica and Camden to come along and had already asked me a million questions about my feelings for her.

  The truth was, I hadn’t stopped thinking about her, and even though it had been almost two weeks since the night we spent together, my feelings hadn’t changed. She was just so stubborn, and I knew until she was ready, I would never get her to go against the silly rules she’d set for herself.

  Until then, all I could do was try to make the most of what little time she would give me, and as I watched her with her son, all I could think of was how badly I wanted to be a part of what they had.

  I had never had a good family life and had vowed long ago that if given the chance, I’d do anything for my family to make them happy and safe. I could see myself being all of that for them and more. I certainly had the means, and I knew in my heart that if Jessica would ever truly give me the time of day, I had love as well.

  “Fine, let’s get this thing up in the air. Camden, would you like to meet the pilot?” I walked to the cockpit door, and he hurried over to join me. “Jessica?”

  She walked over and joined us as Franklin introduced himself. “I’m Captain Franklin O’Dell,” he said. “Welcome aboard.”

  “This is my photographer, Jessica Hyde, and her son Camden.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Captain.” Jessica offered him her hand, and Cam did the same.

  “Nice to meet you,” said Cam. “One day, I’m going to fly a plane like this and live in the sky.”

  Franklin laughed. “I’ve lived a good many years off the ground, and I can say it’s made me a very happy man.”

  “Today is Cam’s first flight.”

  “Well, you don’t seem nervous at all for your first flight,” said Franklin. “What a big, brave young man you are.” The radio was making calls in, and I knew that Franklin needed to get the ball rolling on our flight.

  “Franklin will be taking off soon, so we’ll need to get to our seats. Once we’re up, feel free to move around, watch TV, and take anything you like from the snack bar.”

  Camden’s eyes widened. “Snack bar? This place has a snack bar like my school?”

  “Probably not just like it,” I said. “But it’s got a whole cabinet full of good treats, so help yourself.”

  “Here’s my snack bar,” said Franklin, who opened up a small cabinet where he had stuffed a package of cookies. “You’ve got some just like them back there.”

  We all shared a laugh when Camden cheered.

  “Can I have some cookies, Mama?”

  Jessica seemed to think it over a bit, then let him off the hook. “Of course you can. Today’s yo
ur special day.”

  “This is the best airplane ever!” Camden ran out of the cockpit and into the cabin.

  “Thank you,” said Jessica. “Let’s get to our seats. It was lovely to meet you, Captain.”

  We went back out and found that Tanner sat ready for takeoff, his head down, his nose buried in one of our reports. He glanced up at me and shook his head. “Don’t forget that we have a meeting in twenty.”

  “You’re holding a meeting on the plane?” Jessica asked. “Cam and I can go to the other room if we’re going to bother you.”

  “We are, but it’s okay. It’s nothing formal; we just wanted to touch base with one of our investors.” We had to go to Columbus to do damage control in light of what Lynn Holden had been telling a few of them.

  He had not only tried to hurt us by making idle threats, but he’d run his mouth enough to make a few people nervous. Tanner was one of them, even though he knew better. It wasn’t my fault that his mommy was upset with him, but he sure as hell blamed me. That was another reason he was acting like an asshole.

  Tanner was my oldest friend, and I owed him my life for all the things he’d done for me to make it better, but he was from a much different upbringing and pouted like a spoiled brat when things didn’t go his way.

  We all got situated and prepared for the plane to get off the ground. Camden took the seat by the window because he wanted to watch, and Jessica sat next to him, clutching her blouse front, more nervous than I’d seen her the times it was just the two of us. “Are you okay?” I whispered.

  She let out a long breath. “Yes. I’m fine. Just a little anxious. I know he’s excited, but I can’t help but worry. It’s the mother in me, I suppose.”

  “I think it’s really special how much you care about him. I wish my mom had been worried about me more.”

  “I’m worried about you too,” she said. “I’m worried for us all.” She took my hand and gave it a squeeze as Camden cheered and the plane took off into the sky.