There are so many thoughts running through my head that I can’t keep them straight at all, and it’s fucking with me.

I’m torn between clinging to Harlan’s leg and begging him to never let me go, and fading into thin air.

I’m so shell shocked that through the rest of the flight, through the plane landing, through getting bags from baggage claim - I just…am on autopilot.

Like some sort of automaton, or a damned puppet with strings. It’s bothering me. How easy it was for me to just, follow him blindly, and I have no real idea who he is.

It’s dangerous. And the further we get away from that plane, the less exciting and taboo it feels.

There’s a pit in my stomach.

I have never been blinded by lust like this as an adult. It was one thing to feel so attracted to him and think he was hot, but I…Fuck. None of that should’ve happened.

I dropped the ball.

“You got somewhere to be?” I pull up short, before I run face first into Harlan’s chest.

Yeah. He’s like a foot taller than me, go figures.

I whip my head around behind me, turning back to him. “Weren’t you back there?”

“You’re movin’ like Federov, but my legs are longer.”

“I…don’t know who that is. But yeah, I have somewhere to be.”

Shit, I didn’t drive to the airport.

He steps closer to me and I shuffle back, making him stop and narrow his eyes. “Really? Where?”

I start to open my mouth and hope something that makes sense will come out, but I hear my name.

“Kaija, you must not have turned your phone on.” The deep voice behind me nearly sends me lurching towards Harlan in shock. I whip around, trying to smooth out my face.

“Charlie? What are you doing here?”

“You’re friends with Charles Wright?” I can’t detect what exactly it is in Harlan’s voice, but it’s not approval.

“Leave it to you to find a hockey champ at the airport.” Is Charlie’s voice cooler too or am I imagining things?

“Hockey champ?” I really should’ve worked on getting a lot more sleep during my flight, because I think I’m missing a lot right now.

“You could say we found each other.” I don’t even have to turn around to see the smirk on Harlan’s face, because I can hear it.

What the hell is going on? I step to the side so I can see both men’s faces’ and the chill becomes much more palpable.

“How do you two know each other?” I tap my fingers restlessly on my suitcase handle, and wonder why stuff like this always seems to find me.

You’ve got the guy I can’t seem to shake, and the guy who just had his fingers down my pants the first time we met.

Awesome.

“We went to school together. Actually…we played hockey together in college for a bit. Then someone got drafted and left for the NHL.”

I look Charlie up and down, taking in the pressed slacks and button down at 6AM. Expensive dress shoes and perfectly matched tie.

Lacrosse, I might’ve guessed. Squash? Tennis? Golf? All acceptable.

Hockey? Not so much.

“How do you know Kaija?” Harlan crosses his arms, and I do my best not to look at all that exposed temptation…

“Through my older sister.”

“We’re seeing each other.”

Charlie raises an eyebrow at my answer, and I purse my lips at his. Good lord.

You go on a few dates with a man and he thinks he can just tell people you’re kind of a thing.

I’m going to do bodily harm to Keyra when I see her, for always matchmaking.

“Oh?” If there was a chill before between the man, Harlan has now reached sub-zero temperatures. I meet his gaze and hope I don’t look guilty.

I’m a single woman, dammit! I have nothing to be guilty about. But if his face is any indication, he’s already become judge and jury.

“Keyra and your dad wanted to have breakfast this morning, so we should get going.” Charlie puts a hand on my lower back and takes my suitcase handle from me. I hesitate, looking at Harlan’s stone expression.

“Go ahead Charlie, I’m right behind you.”

“I re—,” he starts.

“I’ll meet you.” I snap, and he closes his mouth, deciding wisely to leave it alone. He walks away and I turn back to Harlan, even though now I’m annoyed that he’s apparently made his decision about me.

“Well…,” I don’t really know what to say, but I feel like I should say something.

We already exchanged numbers on the plane, so I could just walk away...

“I’m not interested in cheaters. And you’ve obviously got some lofty ambitions.”

“Excuse me? Lofty ambitions? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“You dating baby president there, I’m sure you expect to be right there next to him. That’s not my life, sweetheart.”

“That’s good, because you couldn’t pay me to date your pompous ass. Forget anything happened.” I start to stomp away, but I turn back, “And you can’t cheat when you’re single. And if I did have lofty ambitions, it wouldn’t be your place to judge me about it. So, fuck you.” I hiss.

God, why do I always attract insufferable assholes? I do it to myself. Obviously I have a sign on my forehead that’s only visible to men that says Please, add more bullshit to my life.

I shake my head all the way to Charlie’s car, and thank him for opening the door for me. Clicking my seatbelt automatically, I hope that I never have to see Harlan Reed’s face again.