CHAPTER 35
MELANIE
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS I’D NEVER GOTTEN TO EXPERIENCE BEFORE
One such thing was a warm welcome at the airport. So when we exited Jordan’s plane and I caught sight of Blaine standing on the empty tarmac holding a piece of cardboard with my name spelled out in big, bold letters, the big grin that threatened to split my face in two was excusable.
He gathered me into his arms carefully and buried his face in my hair, “It’s at times like this I wonder how I lived before I met you. I missed you so much“, he said.
I winced as he hugged me a little too tight and he released me immediately, still keeping one hand on my arm as he and Jordan did one of those bro nods.
“Still alive I see” Blaine smirked.
“And I will be, unless you plan on killing me” was Jordan’s reply.
Before I could ask why they were conversing like reunited enemies, Katnissa’s annoying laughter filtered into my ears, “It all makes sense now” she snorted.
“she gets the preferential treatment because she’s fucking the boss‘ best friend.” She continued to laugh.
“I’d wondered whether you had something on Jordan the way he treated you but now I know, I actually preferred the blackmail. You’re just another gold–digging whore.”
Anger shot through me and I took a step forward to give her a piece of my mind but, to my surprise, Mia beat me to it.
“Give it a rest, Kat. You’re just pissed because you hate the thought of her being better than you.” Mia said.
Katnissa turned to her in disbelief. “You’re defending the whore now?” Mia looked her dead in the eyes.
“If you’d been down there with us from the beginning you’d see why she was made team leader. And even if she truly is fucking Blaine” she gave him a once–over and a wink “I don’t blame her.”
Most of my anger melted away; I have to admit, it felt nice to be defended, especially by one of her own.
“Besides” I added “Whores make a decent living. And that thought you have that I’m better than you? It’s true” I smirked.
Katnissa scoffed, “Oh please. You couldn’t even finish off four people on your own“.
Mia gave her a look, “You got knocked out by that one guy in Milan, in case you’re forgetting. One guy, Kat.”
“He had an advantage!”
I watched in amusement as they started to argue until Jordan stepped in.
“Enough,” he said and everyone was quiet.
“How does he do that?” I whispered to Blaine and he looked down at me and shrugged, “Beats me“.
“You will return to the bungalow today, tomorrow you go back to your previous locations and relieve your replacements. Good work, everyone. You will receive your compensation.” Jordan said.
A car pulled up and Mia and Katnissa got in first. Dimitri gave another of his non–committal grunts before entering too. Sebastian was last. He gave me a half bow and a wink, “I’ll miss seeing your pretty face, hot badass girl. If you’re ever in Paris and seeking some action, look me up. I can show you a good time. That is,” his eyes slid to Blaine “If you’re not otherwise entangled.” With another wink he got in and the car pulled away.
Relieved to finally be free of them, I sagged against Blaine “Those were the longest three days of my life” I complained.
“I need a pizza and a movie marathon.”
“What you need” Jordan turned to face me “Is another doctor’s appointment.” He’d returned back to his cold, domineering self once we’d landed on Puerto Rican soil.
Maybe there was something about being in planes that loosened him up. We should get him in the air more often. I immediately shrunk back.
“No, I don’t. I’m perfectly fine. Blaine, tell him.”
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Blaine looked at me with worry in his eyes, “I think you should go, just for a check–up. You took a pretty harsh beating, from what I hear.”
I sighed “Fine. Then pizza and movies after” I ordered and he smiled in relief.
“I believe that can be arranged.” I pointed an authoritative finger at Jordan, “You’re coming too.”
I caught the quick frown on Blaine’s face as Jordan looked down his nose at me, “I most certainly am not….I’ve got work to
do.”
“You just got back from a trip. And you’re the boss, nobody’s going to fire you for taking the rest of the day off. Let’s go, I’m tired of standing.” With that I walked towards the waiting car. “Speaking of days off” Jordan said catching up to me in a few strides, “you’re to be given 21 days of leave until we’re sure
you’re okay.”
I stopped walking until Blaine nudged me to start again and I stared incredulously at Jordan’s impassive face.
“21 days is a long time to sit around and do nothing, Jordan. I don’t even have any devices, I have no friends. I’ll go crazy.”
He didn’t even glance at me as he replied, “You were concussed, therefore you’ll be under observation until you’re completely fine. You’re of no use to me otherwise. I can’t have you explaining the importance of a banana float to my clients“.
Blaine laughed, “Did she really do that?”
“According to her, it has surprising nutritional benefits“, Jordan replied as we got into the car.
Blaine laughed again and held my hand as he drove, “You’re amazing. I can’t wait to see you drunk“, he said, grinning as I rolled my eyes and fought back a smile.
“That’s never going to happen. Back to you“, I turned to face Jordan.
“I can’t be idle for three whole weeks“.
“Fine. Two.”
“One and a half.”
“You’re pushing it” he warned.
“One and half, and a check–up. If I fail, I do the whole three“, I smiled winningly.
He stared at me for a long moment “Deal.”
Blaine turned back to shoot him a wide–eyed look, “I can’t believe you agreed. That time in Barcelona you made me-”
“Stop whining and focus on the road before you kill us all” Jordan interrupted.
Blaine focused, but his eyes as he glared at Jordan in the rearview mirror promised retribution.
Feeling more than a little smug, I decided to see if I could get a streak.
“So you’re staying for the pizza and movies, right?” I asked with a sunny smile.
“I don’t like pizza” was his reply.
I swear the world stopped spinning for a second. “What?” I screeched and both men winced.
I looked at Blaine for confirmation and he nodded “That’s true. He never has.”
“Too greasy. Too much cheese.” Jordan supplied.
“What sort of alternate reality have I slipped into?” I wondered aloud, then made a decision.
“That’s it. I’m making pizza. From scratch” I announced. Jordan did the Jordan equivalent of rolling his eyes.
“And what would you do differently from restaurants that makes yours better?” He asked.
“Have you ever made pizza from scratch before?” Blaine asked with a hint of doubt.
I waved away the negative energy surrounding me.
“It’ll be the best you’ve ever tasted, you’ll see. Ooh, we need groceries. Pull over.” I instructed as we passed in front of a
store.
He obliged and we got out, arguing over what kind of pizza sauce to get. It all felt so normal, with Jordan being more
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relaxed Jordan again.
Looking at us, one would never have
guessed that just about a month ago I’d never met these people. I turned to poke Jordan in the chest and didn’t notice the brief flash of a camera going off.
