After more than two hours in the air, Jamison was feeling rough. Their group, a dozen-odd people, had booked a mid-sized commercial flight–one of those narrow-bodied jets that felt every patch of turbulence. It wasn’t like the wide-body planes that swallowed up bumps in the clouds. Here, every bit of rough air sent a jolt through the cabin.
Whenever the plane lurched, Jamison’s back would slam against the seat, pain flashing across his face despite his best efforts to hide it. Ever since Ivy had discovered his secret yesterday, she’d grown noticeably distant. But now, seeing him grit his teeth and tough it out, her resolve softened. Throughout the flight, she kept a tight grip on his arm, steadying him each time the plane shuddered.
At last, as the plane started to descend and city blocks appeared through the window, Ivy let out a sigh of relief. “Almost there. Just a little longer.”
“I’m fine,” Jamison insisted, his face pale with pain. He was stubborn to a fault–never one to admit weakness, no matter how obvious it was.
Ivy shot him a look but didn’t call him out. Once they landed, Ivy leaned over. “Should I ask someone to bring up a wheelchair?”
“No need.”
“You really don’t look good. Stop pretending,” she pressed.
Jamison snapped, “Why not just have them carry a stretcher while you’re at it?”
That shut Ivy up; she bit back a retort and swore inwardly she’d kick him if she could get away with it. With bodyguards around, she figured if he did faint, someone would haul him up anyway. So she let him be.
Just as they stepped off the plane, Jamison’s phone rang. He checked the screen–his brother.
“Jamison, you’ve landed?” Thad’s voice came through. “We’re waiting for you at the VIP lounge.”
Jamison instantly picked up on the hidden message. “We? Who else is with you?”
Chapter 355
Thad replied, “Mom’s here too.”
Jamison’s expression darkened. He knew exactly what his brother was up to: a warning call, giving him and Ivy a chance to brace themselves.
He pocketed his phone and glanced at Ivy, silent by his side, reaching out to take her hand.
But Ivy pulled away, feigning indifference. “Aren’t you supposed to be tough? Don’t need me holding you up, do you?”
He couldn’t help but smile, his tone softening. “Come on, don’t start. My mom came to meet us.” He reached for her hand again, more insistent this time.
Ivy frowned, then let out a short laugh. “Looks like your mother really doesn’t trust you.”
She was pushing eighty and still coming to the airport to intercept them. Jamison pressed his lips together, bracing himself against the pain in his back. The last thing he needed was for his mother to see him injured and feverish–she’d have the whole family in an uproar.
Outside the VIP lounge, Thad stood beside their mother, Adela Ludwig, waiting quietly. As Thad finished the call, Adela gave him a sharp look. “You’re warning him so he can sneak out another exit?”
Thad chuckled. “He wouldn’t dare. Jamison knows better.”
Adela shook her head, baffled. “I’ll never understand what hold Ivy has over him. He follows her to the ends of the earth for the smallest thing.”
Thad replied, “Jamison’s always known his own mind. If he’s made this choice, he has his reasons. Ivy’s great, and the two of them together–well, that’s the best thing for him. Oh, look–they’re here!”
Adela turned to see her youngest son walking out, arm in arm with the daughter-in-law she’d never quite approved of. Standing side by side, they were an undeniably striking couple. Even Adela had to admit, Ivy’s looks and poise outshone any of the women she’d tried to set Jamison up with. Still, she was convinced her son had simply been bewitched by a pretty face.
Jamison, dressed head-to-toe in black, looked even more severe and handsome than usual, his chiseled features as cold as they were captivating. The two of them drew every eye as they walked through the terminal–men and women alike turned to stare, some even gasping softly in admiration.